Chadwick Boseman, who played Black American icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown with searing intensity before inspiring audiences worldwide as the regal Black Panther in Marvel’s blockbuster movie franchise, died Friday of cancer. He was 43.
Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told media outlets. He is survived by his wife and a parent and had no children.
Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement. The actor had not publicly discussed his condition and continued to work on major Hollywood productions.
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family said. “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 honour of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”
Expressions of shock and despair poured in late Friday from fellow actors, athletes, musicians, Hollywood titans, fans and politicians. Several Pakistani actors including Ushna Shah and Ali Rehman Khan also mourned his demise.
Journey to Stardom
It took some time for Boseman’s moment to come. Born in South Carolina, Boseman graduated from Howard University and had small roles in television – on TV shows like ABC Family’s Lincoln Heights and NBC’s Persons Unknown – 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. A year later, he wowed audiences as Brown in the biopic Get On Up.
Boseman’s 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.
“I don’t think the world was ready for a ‘Black Panther’ movie before this moment. Socially and politically, it wasn’t ready for it,” he told AP at the time.
The film’s vision of Afrofuturism and the technologically advanced civilization of Wakanda resonated with audiences, some of whom wore African attire to showings and helped propel Black Panther to more than $1.3 billion in the global box office. It is the only Marvel Studios film to receive a best picture Oscar nomination.
The character was last seen standing silently dressed in a black suit at Tony Stark’s funeral in last year’s Avengers: Endgame. A Black Panther sequel had been announced and was one of the studio’s most anticipated upcoming films.
