Chadwick Boseman
Wakanda forever. Chadwick Boseman is being remembered by his former costars and more in the wake of his devastating death at the age of 43. The Black Panther actor died on Friday, August 28, after secretly battling colon cancer for four years.
“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” his publicist confirmed in a statement to Us Weekly. “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 and battled with it these last four 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. 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.”
Boseman and his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, made their red carpet debut as a couple at the SAG Awards in January 2019. They made their final public appearance together at the NBA All-Star Game in February.
Boseman began his acting career with stints on TV shows including All My Children, Law & Order, ER, Fringe, Castle and Lincoln Heights. He’d go on to land the leading role as Jackie Robinson in 2013’s 42 and officially became a household name when he joined the Marvel franchise as T’Challa/Black Panther in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. He’d go on to reprise the role in Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Before his death, he was attached to a new limited series titled Little Rock Nine with Seth
MacFarlane.
“Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with Chadwick Boseman’s family. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest In Peace,” the official Twitter accounts for Marvel and Black Panther tweeted shortly after the news of his passing on Friday.
Many more paid tribute to Boseman on social media. “Such a brutal loss. RIP, Chadwick,” Ryan Reynolds tweeted.
Jordan Peele added: “This is a crushing blow.” Mindy Kaling, for her part, tweeted she couldn’t “believe he’s gone.”
Sarah Paulson posted the statement about his death and wrote: “What a gift he was to all of us out there in the dark- watching him listen was more enrapturing than watching others with endless words to say. What an immeasurable loss. Rest in Power.”
Bette Midler shared the same sentiment on Twitter, writing, “What a shock; he was so young, but he made an indelible impression on all of us. My sympathies to his family, friends and fans, who loved him beyond measure. Rest In Peace.”
Others took to Instagram to post about the huge loss. Josh Gad shared an emotional video of himself crying. “I don’t have words. I feel sick. I love you my friend. Goodbye. Until we meet again. Rest In Peace,” he wrote. “Goodbye my friend.”
MacFarlane also paid his respects. “Deeply saddened over the passing of Chadwick Boseman. A great talent and a kind man gone far too soon. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this very difficult time,” he tweeted.
Barack and Michelle Obama
The former president posted two photos on Instagram from Boseman’s visit to the White House in 2016. “Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson,” Barack Obama wrote. “You could tell right away that he was blessed. To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain – what a use of his years.”
Michelle Obama also shared a photo from Boseman’s visit, writing, “I’ll always remember watching Chadwick in 42. Barack and I were alone in the White House, on a weekend night with the girls away. I was so profoundly moved by the rawness and emotion in the barrier-breaking story. And not long after, when he came to meet with young people in the State Dining Room, I saw that Chadwick’s brilliance on screen was matched by a warmth and sincerity in person.”
“There’s a reason he could play Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, and King T’Challa with such captivating depth and honesty,” she added. “He, too, knew what it meant to truly persevere. He, too, knew that real strength starts inside. And he, too, belongs right there with them as a hero—for Black kids and for all of our kids. There’s no better gift with which to grace our world.”
Denzel Washington
“He was a gentle soul and a brilliant artist who will stay with us for eternity through his iconic performances over his short yet illustrious career. God bless Chadwick Boseman,” the Training Day star told The Hollywood Reporter.
Jason Momoa
“All my aloha and condolences to his ohana,” the Aquaman actor wrote via Instagram. “I am truly gutted. what a wonderful spirit. I’m so sorry RIP.”
Reese Witherspoon
“May god bless you and carry you home @chadwickboseman,” the Big Little Lies star tweeted. “We lost one of the greats today. His legacy will live on forever in his beloved films and in the heart of everyone who loved him.”
Mariah Carey
“This is heartbreaking,” the “Always Be My Baby” singer wrote via Instagram. “Thank you for persevering through it all. You leave behind an incredible body of work and an inspiring legacy. Rest in power. Chadwick Forever.”
Halle Berry
“Here’s to an incredible man with immeasurable talent, who leaned into life despite his personal battle behind the scenes,” the Catwoman star wrote via Instagram. “May we take this as a reminder that you never truly know what the people around you might be going through – treat them with kindness, and cherish every minute you have together. RIP #ChadwickBoseman.”
Jamie Foxx
“Please Jesus please… I know you know what’s best… but at this moment our hearts are writhing with so much pain… so to lose this beautiful black king renders me weak…please watch over his family and loved ones…. @chadwickboseman you have touched the lives of all of us… u will forever be remembered in the highest regard… REST IN POWER! our black king! Our black panther,” Foxx wrote via Instagram.
Ryan Reynolds
“Such a brutal loss. RIP, Chadwick,” Reynolds wrote via Twitter.
Mindy Kaling
“I can’t believe he’s gone,” Kaling tweeted.
Jordan Peele
“This is a crushing blow,” the Get Out director tweeted.
Josh Gaad
“I don’t have words,” the Frozen star said in an emotional Instagram video. “I feel sick. I love you my friend. Goodbye. Until we meet again. Rest In Peace. Goodbye my friend.”
Rosario Dawson
“You will forever be mighty and beloved,” the Sin City actress wrote. “Thank you for sharing yourself so powerfully, beautifully and generously in this lifetime. We were lucky to have so much of you. Praying and sending love and many blessings to your family. #LegendsNeverDie #WakandaForever.”
John Legend
“I’m so shocked and heartbroken about Chadwick,” the “All of Me” singer tweeted. “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.”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
“Such a sad loss,” the Inception star tweeted alongside a photo of himself and Boseman. “Craziest thing when you figure you’ll see someone again, and then suddenly, you know you won’t. Every day alive merits gratitude.”
Seth MacFarlane
“Deeply saddened over the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” the Family Guy creator tweeted. “A great talent and a kind man gone far too soon. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this very difficult time.”
Dwayne Johnson
“Hard to hear about this,” the Jumanji star wrote via Instagram. “Rest in love, brother. Thank you for shining your light and sharing your talent with the world. My love and strength to your family.”
Whoopi Goldberg
“1 of my all time favorite people on the planet Chadwick Boseman has passed away after a 4 years of fighting cancer,” the View cohost wrote via Instagram. “A wonderful actor & a truly nice man. R.IP. condolences to his family.”
Kevin Hart
“I have no words….This s–t hurts,” the comedian wrote via Instagram. “Just a all around good brother. You will be missed…. Rest well King.”
Anthony Anderson
“You were a true gentleman a gentle soul and an enormous talent,” the Black-ish star captioned a photo of the pair via Instagram. “May God continue to bless and comfort your family! Gone to soon. #chadwickboseman.”
Kerry Washington
“A warrior of light til the very end. A true king. May he rise in power,” the Scandal alum wrote.
Viola Davis
“Chadwick…..no words to express my devastation of losing you,” the How to Get Away With Murder alum wrote via Instagram. “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! My heart cannot take 2020! Please God no more!!!”
LeBron James
“Rest In Paradise King 
! #TheHellWith2020 #FCancer,” the Los Angeles Lakers player captioned a photo of himself and Boseman via Instagram.
