Chadwick Boseman, star of “Black Panther,” died on Friday after a four year battle with colon cancer, He was 43.
Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.
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Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement.
“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” said a statement posted to his Twitter feed. “It was the honor of his life to bring King T’Challa to life in ‘Black Panther.’”
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” the statement continued. “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.”
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020
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Boseman had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis. He is survived by his wife and a parent and had no children, Fioravante said.
Boseman was born in South Carolina, according to his IMDb biography. He went on to graduate from Howard University in Washington, DC, where he returned in 2018 to give the class graduation speech — which concluded with his iconic “Wakanda Forever” salute.
During his speech, the actor told the graduates he was fired from an unnamed production during his early acting days after he questioned what he felt was its stereotypical portrayal of Black characters.
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“The struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose,” he had said.
The actor starred in other films, including playing James Brown in “Get On Up” and Jackie Robinson in “42.”
The Marvel Studios president had previously announced the second movie of the “Black Panther” saga would debut in theaters in May 2022.
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