Black Hollywood is in mourning at the sudden loss of award-winning actor and producer Chadwick Boseman, who died on Friday after succumbing to a four-year battle with colon cancer.
Boseman died at his home surrounded by his loved ones. “He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side,” said an Instagram statement from his representatives. “The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
The beloved actor became a global superstar after playing the titular role in Marvel’s Black Panther, but his most die-hard fans knew his work well long before he became the ultimate big screen superhero. Boseman brought us one critically acclaimed performance after another throughout his Hollywood career, with unforgettable starring roles in three biopics—2014’s Get On Up, a look at musical image of James Brown; 2013’s 42, a film celebrating the baseball legend Jackie Robinson; and 2017 Marshall, a 2017 film about Thurgood Marshall’s life.
The statement continued, “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 and chemotherapy.”
The actor’s rep also shared that playing King T’Challa in Black Panther was most certainly “the honor of his career.”
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Actor Chadwick Boseman at the Los Angeles World Premiere of Marvel Studios' BLACK PANTHER at Dolby Theatre on January 29, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Actor Chadwick Boseman at the Los Angeles World Premiere of Marvel Studios' BLACK PANTHER at Dolby Theatre on January 29, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Actor Chadwick Boseman arrives for the premiere of Disney and Marvel's "Black Panther" held at the Dolby Theatre on January 29, 2018 in Hollywood, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Boseman and his Black Panther co-stars covered the March 2018 issue of ESSENCE to celebrate the film's much anticipated release.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong'o, Chadwick Boseman, Danain Gurira, Michael B. Jordan and Andy Sirkis winners of Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for 'Black Panther,' pose in the Winner's Gallery during the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman attends the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman attend the 2018 State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
NBA player Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers puts on Marvel's Black Panther mask from Chadwick Boseman during the 2018 State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman attends The Cinema Society with Ravage Wines & Synchrony host a screening of Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" at The Museum of Modern Art on February 13, 2018 in New York City.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Actor Chadwick Boseman attends The 2018 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman, Angela Bassett, and Danai Gurira, winners of Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for 'Black Panther,' attend the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
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Chadwick Boseman
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Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman attends the 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 16, 2018 in Santa Monica, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
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Remembering the Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Actor Chadwick Boseman attends the "Get On Up" premiere at The Apollo Theater on July 21, 2014 in New York City.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman, winner of Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for 'Black Panther,' attends the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman filming on location for 42 on July 18, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
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Remembering the Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman attends the 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 16, 2018 in Santa Monica, California.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Boseman produced and starred in 2019 suspense drama 21 Bridges.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Boseman played Thurgood Marshall in 2017 drama Marshall.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Boseman played the legendary James Brown in 2014's Get On Up.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Boseman starred in 2014's Draft Day alongside Kevin Costner.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman attends the European Premiere of Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith on February 8, 2018 in London, England.
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Remembering The Life and Legacy of Chadwick Boseman
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Forever our King.
Boseman's most iconic role was that of Black Panther in Marvel's Black Panther, which bowed at $1.237 billion in global ticket sales and became the number three superhero movie of all time.
