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Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman has died after a four-year private battle with colon cancer, his family said in a statement Friday. He was 43 years old.
The actor passed away at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side. They did not specify when he died.
It is with immeasurable pain that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 and battled it for the past 4 years as he progressed to stage IV, ” the family said.
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all and brought you many of the movies that you have loved so much.”
The family revealed that many of Boseman’s films, including August Wilson’s Marshall, Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, were filmed “during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.”
Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman has died at age 43 after a private four-year battle with colon cancer
His family confirmed his passing in a statement on social media on Friday, saying that the actor had been diagnosed with stage III cancer in 2016.
Boseman is survived by his wife Taylor Simone Ledward (pictured) and a father and had no children. The pair were last seen together at the 69th NBA All-Star Game in Chicago in February. Her marriage was not publicly reported until her death.
Boseman’s most memorable role was his performance in 2018 as T’Challa, king of the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda and the crime fighter known as Black Panther, in the first major studio superhero film with a predominantly African-American cast. (Pictured during the film’s London premiere)
“It was his career honor to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther,” the statement said. “The family thanks you for your love and prayers and asks you to continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Boseman is survived by his wife Taylor Simone Ledward and a father and had no children, his publicist said. The actor had kept his diagnosis and much of his private life a secret.
It was reported that she was dating Ledward after the couple was spotted on the red carpet together at the 2019 SAG Awards, but their marriage was not reported until her death.
The pair were last seen together in February at the 69th NBA All-Star Game in Chicago.
Boseman had not spoken publicly about his cancer diagnosis, but he had raised health concerns earlier this year after fans took note of his unusually slim appearance.
Born in South Carolina, Boseman graduated from Howard University and had small television roles before his first turn as a star in 2013.
The actor was known for playing real-life figures, including professional baseball player Jackie Robinson in the 2013 biopic 42, James Brown in 2014’s Get On Up, and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in Marshall’s Marshall. 2017.
But his most memorable role was his performance in 2018 as T’Challa, king of the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda and the crime fighter known as Black Panther, in the first major studio superhero film with a predominantly African-American cast.
Marvel Studios reacted to Boseman’s death in a tweet on Friday that read: ‘Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with the Chadwick Boseman family.’
Boseman pictured with Michael B. Jordan and Angela Bassett at the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2019
“This is a crushing blow,” actor and director Jordan Peele said on Twitter, one of many who expressed shock as the news spread on social media.
The film became one of the highest grossing films of the year and was nominated for six Oscars, including best picture. It won three Academy Awards, in the categories of Best Original Music, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design.
Boseman originated the movie role Black Panther two years earlier in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, and reprized the role twice more in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War and 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.
News of Boseman’s death came the day Major League Baseball was celebrating Jackie Robinson Day.
The holiday is generally observed on April 15, but the celebration has been moved to August 28 to accommodate the modified COVID-19 schedule.
Boseman had shared an Instagram post at the time saying he was celebrating the launch of Operation 42, an initiative that donates $ 4.2 million in personal protective equipment to hospitals serving African-American communities at the peak of the pandemic.
“Thank you Jackie for refusing to accept the world as it is, for showing us that we can make a difference,” said Boseman.
The post, which featured a video of the actor wearing a ’42’ baseball cap, raised concern among fans who commented on his remarkably slim appearance.
Following the shocking news of his death, tributes to Boseman came from across the entertainment industry on social media.
Marvel Studios released a statement regarding his passing on Twitter saying: ‘Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with the Chadwick Boseman family. Your legacy will live forever. Rest in peace.’
“This is a devastating blow,” actor and director Jordan Peele said on Twitter. “This broke me,” said actor and writer Issa Rae.
‘Such a brutal loss. RIP, Chadwick, ‘Ryan Reynolds tweeted.
Marvel co-star Chris Evans paid tribute to his friend in a touching tweet that read: I am absolutely devastated. This is beyond heartbreaking. Chadwick was special. A true original. He was a deeply engaged and constantly curious artist.
“He had a lot of incredible work to create. I am infinitely grateful for our friendship. Rest in power, king.
