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Image credit: Chadwick Boseman at Vanity Fair Oscars Party, 2018 | Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images
The actor Chadwick Boseman, best known for his role of King T'Challa in the Marvel movie Black Panther, has sadly passed away on Friday from Stage IV colon cancer. Mr. Boseman, who was only 43 years old, was said to be surrounded by his wife and family when he died. As a huge Marvel fan, this is definitely sad news to hear. These past few days many celebrities and fellow Marvel actors have all been paying their tributes on Instagram. These include Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Angela Bassett (The Queen, T'Challa's mother), Sterling K. Brown (N'Jobu), Viola Davis, Don Cheadle (War Machine), Chris Evans (Captain America), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Marvel Entertainment's Instagram, Halle Berry, the Russo Brothers, Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Bernie Sanders. These are just a few of the people who have paid tribute and sent messages that have been posted in honor of Chadwick.
Born on November 29th, 1976 and the youngest of three kids, Mr. Boseman didn't necessarily have the upbringing that warranted a Hollywood career. It was his older brother, Kevin, that eventually inspired him with a dance rehearsal. “He had the resolve to be, like, ‘No — I have something; I’m going to do it anyway, right or wrong,’” Mr. Boseman said of following his brother’s example. “And he was right.”1 After graduating from Howard University and studying for his dream of becoming a director, Chadwick moved to New York and began writing and directing several plays which included hip-hop and pan-African theology. A role in the show "Lincoln Heights" brought him to L.A., where he soon discovered the allure of becoming an actor himself. He soon scored his breakout role in the movie "42" which helped him quickly rise through the industry. Soon, he had risen through the ranks and became the mighty Black Panther, the first black actor to play a titular role in the popular Marvel franchise. Soon after, he began developing projects as a screenwriter and starring in roles with a sociopolitical edge.
Image credit: Disney I Black Panther Poster
During his budding career, Mr. Boseman was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer in 2016, which eventually progressed to Stage IV recently, causing his death. While shooting his movies, writing and producing movies, and attending various events, Chadwick also had to squeeze in regular doctor's appointments, surgeries, and chemotherapy. Part of what made him such a kind soul and incredible person was the fact that throughout this stressful time and all his treatments likely taking a toll on him he managed to remain a good person and to continue working for the benefit of others. He was an open supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, led on-set conversations about African culture on the set of Black Panther, and generally inspired others throughout his work and his life.
So far there has been no word on how Disney plans to continue the story of Black Panther, since the second movie was slated for release in 2022. However, Twitter fans have been rallying for Disney not to recast the role. So far, no comment has been made.
"Mr. Boseman leveled the playing field while fighting for his life... That’s heroism. I’ll remember the good times, the laughter, and the way he changed the game..."2
-Robert Downey Jr.
"All I have to say is the tragedies amassing this year have only been made more profound by the loss of #ChadwickBoseman. What a man, and what an immense talent. Brother, you were one of the all time greats and your greatness was only beginning. Lord love ya. Rest in power, King."
-Mark Ruffalo
All I have to say is that the world lost another activist and light today.
Rest in power, King.
Lorelei xx
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