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Chadwick Boseman, “Black Panther” star, has died at 43

Author: LI COHEN/ CBS News
Published: Updated:
Actor Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer at the age of 43 Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. Credit: Getty Images via CBS News.

Chadwick Boseman, known for his role as King T’Challa in Marvel’s “Black Panther,” has died after a four-year battle with cancer, according to a post on his Twitter account. The post said the actor, who also played Black icons such as James Brown, Thurgood Marshall and Jackie Robinson, died at home with his wife and family.

Boseman was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer in 2016, and it progressed to stage four, the post said. He was 43 years old, according to The Associated Press.

“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 post said.

The post added that it was “the honor of his career” to play King T’Challa in “Black Panther.” In August 2019, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler announced that “Black Panther 2” would be released in May 2022.

Boseman had not publicly disclosed his battle with cancer, according to the Associated Press.

Boseman was born in South Carolina and graduated from Howard University, the AP said. He starred in various television shows in the early 2000s before getting the star role as Jackie Robinson, the first Black person to play in Major League Baseball, in the 2013 film “42,” according to IMDB.

From there, he went on to star as James Brown in the 2014 film “Get On Up,” Andre Davis in the 2019 film “21 Bridges,” and Stormin’ Norman in this year’s “Da 5 Bloods.”

His death came on the day Major League Baseball was celebrating Jackie Robinson Day, usually celebrated on April 15.

Major League Baseball tweeted that “his transcendent performance in ’42’ will stand the test of time and serve as a powerful vehicle to tell Jackie’s story to audiences for generations to come.”

Fans and colleagues shared messages of grief online.

Marvel Studios tweeted a photo of Boseman dressed in the costume of his iconic role, writing, “our hearts are broken. … Your legacy will live on forever.”

The company also tweeted out a series of photos of Boseman from Marvel sets and with his fellow cast members.

Chris Evans, who starred in Marvel’s “Avengers” movies alongside Boseman, tweeted that he is “absolutely devastated” and that Boseman’s death is “beyond heartbreaking.”

“Chadwick was special. A true original. He was a deeply committed and constantly curious artist. He had so much amazing work still left to create,” Evans said. “I’m endlessly grateful for our friendship.”

Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris tweeted a photo of her and Boseman, saying she is “heartbroken.” Boseman’s last tweet before his death was a photo of himself and Harris, encouraging people to vote.

“My friend and fellow Bison Chadwick Boseman was brilliant, kind, learned, and humble,” she wrote. “He left too early but his life made a difference.”

She also attended Howard University, whose mascot is the bison.

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