Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman has died aged 43
Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman has died of cancer aged 43.
Boseman died at his home in LA with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante said in a statement on Friday (28 August). He was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago but had not made the information public.
It is believed he married his long-term partner, the singer Taylor Simon Ledward, earlier this year.
"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 Raineys 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 TChalla to life in Black Panther."
Tributes have poured in for the star, as the news of his death has left film fans and colleagues shocked and devastated.
It was the highest honor getting to work with you and getting to know you. What a generous and sincere human being. You believed in the sacred nature of the work and gave your all. Much love to your family. And much love from all of us left here.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 29, 2020
"This is a crushing blow," director Jordan Peele wrote.
"What a gentle gifted SOUL. Showing us all that Greatness in between surgeries and chemo," Oprah Winfrey said. "The courage, the strength, the Power it takes to do that. This is what Dignity looks like."
What a gentle gifted SOUL. Showing us all that Greatness in between surgeries and chemo. The courage, the strength, the Power it takes to do that. This is what Dignity looks like. https://t.co/U3OOnJVS42
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) August 29, 2020
Mark Ruffalo, who starred alongside Boseman in the Marvel films, said it was an honour to have worked with him.
"All I have to say is the tragedies amassing this year have only been made more profound by the loss of Chadwick Boseman," he wrote on Twitter. "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."
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said Boseman "made a difference" as she paid tribute on Twitter: "Heartbroken. My friend and fellow Bison Chadwick Boseman was brilliant, kind, learned, and humble. He left too early but his life made a difference. Sending my sincere condolences to his family."
Heartbroken. My friend and fellow Bison Chadwick Boseman was brilliant, kind, learned, and humble. He left too early but his life made a difference. Sending my sincere condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/C5xGkUi9oZ
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 29, 2020
Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, who starred alongside Boseman in the film adaptation of the August Wilson play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, shared her devastation following his death.
"Chadwick..... no words to express my devastation of losing you. Your talent, your spirit, your heart, your authenticity........ It was an honour working beside you, getting to know you.... Rest well prince... May flights of angels sing thee to thy heavenly rest. I love you!"
Chadwick.....no words to express my devastation of losing you. Your talent, your spirit, your heart, your authenticity........It was an honor working beside you, getting to know you....Rest well prince...May flights of angels sing thee to thy heavenly rest. I love you! 💛💛💛 pic.twitter.com/6abglPBOsh
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) August 29, 2020
Zoe Saldana described Boseman as "one of the classiest men" she had ever met, posting on Instagram: "Rest in Power King T’Challa. My heart is so heavy right now.
"Your passing has hit me hard. I will tell my sons about you forever. You were one of the classiest men I have ever met in my life. It was an honour to have shared minutes with you on screen and to have crossed paths with you during press.
"Though our acquaintance was light you always left a lasting impression because of your energy, poise and gentle manner. May the Universe deliver you to your promise land brother. ~ Que en paz y en poder logres descansar finalmente. Con lo poco que estuviste aquí, dejaste un legado increíble!!!"
A post shared by Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) on Aug 28, 2020 at 8:02pm PDT
Black Panther co-star Angela Bassett shared a poignant tribute to Boseman on Instagram in which she called the star "awe-inspiring" and a "real talent".
A post shared by Angela Bassett (@im.angelabassett) on Aug 28, 2020 at 8:43pm PDT
Boseman was known for playing Black icons; he starred as baseball great Jackie Robinson in 2013's 42, and soul singer James Brown in 2014's Get on Up.
In Black Panther, Boseman starred as the ruler of Wakanda, a fictional African nation with the most advanced technology on earth, and his Wakanda Forever salute reverberated worldwide.
It was the first superhero film to get a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars. Boseman was last seen on screen in Spike Lee's critically-acclaimed Da 5 Bloods.
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