Actor Chadwick Boseman, best known for his fantastic portrayal as T`Challa, king of the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda and the crime fighter known as Black Panther in the blockbuster Marvel superhero film, has died at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer, according to an announcement posted on Friday on his official social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook.
"It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman," read the statement released by the late actor's family.
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020
A native of South Carolina, Chadwick was battling with stage IV colon cancer, which was diagnosed in 2016, before his superhit film Blank Panther released. The actor, who played a number of real-life characters famed for breaking America's racial barriers, including soul singer James Brown in Get on Up, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in Marshall, and baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson in 42, passed away at his home, with his wife and family at his side.
Soon after the statement by Chadwick's family was released, friends from all over the world, fans and colleagues from Hollywood film fraternity, took to Twitter to express their grief, extend condolences and pay their respects to the late actor.
"Such a brutal loss. RIP, Chadwick," wrote actor Ryan Reynolds on Twitter.
Such a brutal loss. RIP, Chadwick.
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 29, 2020
American filmmaker Ava DuVernay tweeted, "May you have a beautiful return, King. We will miss you so."
May you have a beautiful return, King. We will miss you so. pic.twitter.com/jdip3RHoXb
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 29, 2020
Actress Voila Davis wrote, "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!"
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
"An immeasurable loss. From "Black Panther" to "Da 5 Bloods," Chadwick Boseman brought strength and light to the screen, every time," read The Academy's tweet.
An immeasurable loss. From "Black Panther" to "Da 5 Bloods," Chadwick Boseman brought strength and light to the screen, every time. pic.twitter.com/vRXxYU8Tbr
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) August 29, 2020
Singer-songwriter John Legend also took to Twitter to express his shock at the devastating news. He wrote, "I’m so shocked and heartbroken about Chadwick. He was such a bright light, such a gifted performer. He brought grace, elegance and power to everything he did. He always seemed to carry our ancestors with him. And now he joins them far too soon."
I’m so shocked and heartbroken about Chadwick. He was such a bright light, such a gifted performer. He brought grace, elegance and power to everything he did. He always seemed to carry our ancestors with him. And now he joins them far too soon.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 29, 2020
"Black Panther" went on to become 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 best original score, best costume design and best production design categories.
Boseman originated the Black Panther film role two years earlier in Marvel`s "Captain America: Civil War," and reprised the part twice more in 2018`s "Avengers: Infinity War" and 2019`s "Avengers: Endgame."
The statement on his social media accounts said Boseman was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016, and that the disease progressed ultimately to stage 4.
(With inputs from Reuters)