Top African-American actor Chadwick Boseman, who starred in the 2018 mega-hit Black Panther, passed away on Friday, 28th August, at the age of 43.
In a statement on his Twitter account, his family announced his death, saying that he died after a four-year battle with colon cancer.
Boseman died in his home in Los Angeles with his wife and family by his side.
“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” read the statement.
“Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last four years as it progressed to stage IV.”
Boseman worked on a number of films and TV shows over the last two decades. He was a Marvel Studios superhero. Boseman’s career first exploded with his portrayals of Black American icons Jackie Robinson in 2013 and James Brown in 2014, (Get on Up).
The actor’s celebrity status started to grow in 2016, when he first played the superhuman Black Panther in the Avengers series for which he won an NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors’ Guild Award, Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Other films he acted in included Marshall, Da 5 Bloods, and August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
“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 honour 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 family thank you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
