Actor Chadwick Boseman The Legendary Black Panther Star, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, died Friday of cancer, at age 43.
Chadwick Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife by his side.
Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer 4 years ago.
Chadwick persevered through it all he was A true fighter, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,”. “From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more — all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”
Chadwick Boseman had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis.
Born in South Carolina, Boseman graduated from Howard University and had small roles in television before his first star turn in 2013. His striking portrayal of the stoic baseball star Robinson opposite Harrison Ford in 2013′s “42” drew attention in Hollywood and made him a star.
Boseman died on a day that Major League Baseball was celebrating Jackie Robinson day.
“This is a crushing blow” actor and director Jordan Peele said on Twitter, one of many expressing shock as the news spread across social media.
“This broke me,” said actor and writer Issa Rae.
His T’Challa character was first introduced to the blockbuster Marvel movies in 2016′s “Captain America: Civil War,” and his “Wakanda Forever” salute reverberated around the world after the release of “Black Panther” two years ago.
The character was last seen standing silently dressed in a black suit at Tony Stark’s funeral in last year’s “Avengers: Endgame.”
Marvel Studios paid tribute to the actor on Twitter, saying their “hearts were broken.”
Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with Chadwick Boseman’s family. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/DyibBLoBxz
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 29, 2020
Even at the outset of his Hollywood career, Boseman was clear-eyed about — and even skeptical of — the industry in which he would become an international star.
“You don’t have the same exact experience as a Black actor as you do as a white actor. You don’t have the same opportunities. That’s evident and true,” he told AP while promoting “42.” “The best way to put it is: How often do you see a movie about a black hero who has a love story — with a black woman, or any woman for that matter … he has a spirituality. He has an intellect. It’s weird to say it, but it doesn’t happen that often.”
In addition to Robinson and Brown, Boseman portrayed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in 2017′s “Marshall.”
He took on his first producing job in last year’s action thriller “21 Bridges,” in which he also starred, and was last seen on-screen in Spike Lee’s film “Da 5 Bloods” as the leader of a group of Black soldiers in the Vietnam War.
We’re heartbroken that the King of Wakanda, T’Challa, is no more as we lost the legendary Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman, at the young age of 43 today. He has left such a legacy; from James Brown and Jackie Robinson
to superhero heights, he truly showed us that there are no mortal limits to what we can dream for and achieve. #WakandaForever
Chadwick Boseman Rest In Peace. CHIEF
A timeless message for those of us who are still here… Live your life with purpose. Be deliberate. Live your best life. This is not a dress rehearsal!!!