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LOS ANGELES (AP) – Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before rising to fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, died Friday of cancer, his representative said. He was 43 years old.
Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.
Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement.
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all and brought you many of the movies you have come to love so much,” said his family. “From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several others, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. “
Boseman had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis.
Born in South Carolina, Boseman graduated from Howard University and had small television roles before his first starring turn in 2013. His surprising portrayal of stoic baseball star Robinson opposite Harrison Ford in “42” 2013 caught the eye in Hollywood and made him a star.
Boseman died one day when Major League Baseball was celebrating Jackie Robinson’s Day.
“This is a crushing blow,” actor and director Jordan Peele said on Twitter, one of many who expressed shock when the news spread on social media.
“This broke me,” said actor and writer Issa Rae.
His T’Challa character was first introduced in the blockbuster Marvel films in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War,” and his salute to “Wakanda Forever” resonated around the world after the release of “Black Panther.” ” two years ago.
The character was last seen standing quietly in a black suit at Tony Stark’s funeral in last year’s “Avengers: Endgame.”
Even early in his Hollywood career, Boseman was clear-eyed, and even skeptical, of the industry in which he would become an international star.
“You don’t have exactly the same experience as a black actor as you do as a white actor. You don’t have the same opportunities. That’s obvious and true, “he told the AP while promoting” 42. “” The best way to put it is: How often do you watch a movie about a black hero who has a love affair, with a black woman, or any woman? for that matter … does he have a spirituality? He has an intellect. Strange to say, but it doesn’t happen that often. “
In addition to Robinson and Brown, Boseman played United States Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in 2017’s “Marshall.”
He took on his first job as a producer on last year’s action thriller “21 Bridges,” in which he also starred, and was last seen on screen in Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” as the leader of a. group of black soldiers in the Vietnam War.
