Chadwick Boseman, 'Black Panther' Star, Dead At 43
The accomplished actor had been battling cancer since 2016.
Chadwick Boseman, star of Black Panther and 21 Bridges, has died. He was 43. The accomplished actor had been battling colon cancer since 2016, according to an statement released on his official social media.
It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.
Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV.
A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, 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 andchemotherapy.
It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.
He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side.
The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.
Boseman broke with back-to-back biopics, playing iconic professional baseball player Jackie Robinson in 2013's 42 and legendary soul singer James Brown in 2014's Get On Up.
In 2016, unbeknownst to the general public, Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer. That same year, he was cast as King T'Challa/Black Panther in the Marvel franchise film Captain America: Civil War.
In 2017, Boseman tackled playing another historical figure when he portrayed Thurgood Marshall in Reginald Hudlin's Marshall.
The following year, he reprised his role as King T'Challa in the Marvel blockbuster Black Panther. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film hauled in $1.3 billion at the global box office. In large part due to Boseman's stellar performance, Black Panther became a pop culture phenomenon.
Boseman brought black panther to life once again in Avengers: Infinity War later in 2018. It became the highest-grossing film of the year, with Black Panther coming in second. The incomparable Avengers: Endgame followed in 2019. The movie, which once again featured Boseman as Black Panther, quickly smashed box office records, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time.
Boseman starred in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods which was released earlier this summer. On August 28, Boseman will appear posthumously in the film adaption of August Wilson's play Ma Rainey's Black Button.
Chadwick Boseman was undoubtedly a generational talent. During his career, garnered two MTV Movie Awards for Best Hero and Best Performance in a Movie and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance as Black Panther.
- Matt Bishop