We’ve Lost A King: Chadwick Boseman Dies of Cancer at 43
(Left) Photograph by Magdalena Wosinska (Top) Image courtesy of Marvel (Bottom, left) Boseman as Boseman as Jackie Robinson in ‘42‘ (Bottom, right) Boseman as ‘King T’Challa’ in ‘Black Panther
The actor who brought Black icons to life will always be our ‘King’
The world was riddled with shock and grief on August 20, 2020 when we learned that beloved actor, Chadwick Boseman had passed away of colon cancer. Chadwick was an actor who flawlessly told the stories of some of America’s greatest African-American heros including Thurgood Marshall, James Brown and Jackie Robinson. But it was his groundbreaking role as superhero, ‘King T’Challa’ in the film, Black Panther for which he will undoubtedly be best known. Much like ‘King T’Challa,’ Boseman was a presence–strong, regal and determined.
That determination was demonstrated in his willingness and ability to continue filming for the lead role in Marshall and roles in movies, 21 Bridges, Da 5 Bloods and August Wilson‘s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom–all while undergoing several surgeries and chemotherapy.
The South Carolina native and Howard University graduate’s breakout role came in 2013 when he played baseball legend, Jackie Robinson in the film ‘42‘. Major League Baseball tweeted of his performance, “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.”
