Chadwick Boseman has died. He was 43. The Black Panther superstar died after a battle with colon cancer. The news was verified on Friday.
“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” his Instagram reads. “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 statement continues. “It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther. He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side. “
The statement adds that the family thanks everyone for their love and prayers “and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. “
Boseman had never spoken about his diagnosis, with the news coming as a shock to many.
The actor’s last Instagram was on Aug. 11, when he rejoiced over Kamala Harris being chosen as the Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee.
“YES @KamalaHarris! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #WhenWeAllVote #Vote2020,” he wrote alongside a photo of the two.
Boseman, playacted Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown, led Black Panther, Marvels smash hit that broke records. The Boseman-led blockbuster become the first superhero movie to receive an Oscar nomination in the coveted Best Picture category, and was nominated for seven Oscars total, including Best Original Song and Best Original Score.
The film garnered massive praise, including nominations from the Critics’ Choice Awards, SAG, BAFTAs and a history-making Golden Globe nomination. (It was similarly the first superhero movie to earn the Globes’ Best Drama nomination.)
Black Panther claimed a few prizes along the way, too, winning the Critics’ Choice Awards for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects and being named one of AFI’s Movies of the Year. It also won the Screen Actors Guild Awards’ top film honor, winning Best Cast in a Motion Picture.
