On August 28th, 2020, Chadwick Boseman, who starred in Black Panther, passed away due to colon cancer. He had been fighting cancer since 2016 and recently got married to his long time girlfriend, Taylor Simone Ledward. Black Panther fans are heartbroken because of this devastating incident.
Chadwick Boseman was born and raised in South Carolina. He took up acting after he studied directing at Howard University and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing. After that, he attended the British American Drama Academy in Oxford. He started off his career with guest appearances on television and was eventually cast on shows including ‘Lincoln Heights’ and ‘Persons Unknown’. He then played a baseball player, Jackie Robinson, in the biopic ’42’. He continued portraying historical figures such as singer James Brown in ‘Get On Up’ and as supreme court justice Thurgood Marshall in ‘Marshall’. Soon, he achieved international fame for his role as Black Panther in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). He also appeared in other MCU films.
In 2016, Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was initially at stage three, but it soon progressed to stage four. Even though all this was going on, he didn’t let it stop him from pursuing his career.
“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 chemo therapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther”
Boseman was a superhero, both on and off the screen. While he was battling cancer, he not only continued acting, but he also visited cancer patients at hospitals. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our friend Chadwick Boseman. Two years ago, Chadwick visited the St. Jude campus and brought with him not only toys for our patients but also joy, courage, and inspiration. He was an incredible role model for our patients and children from all around the world”, the hospital stated in a tweet.
In memory of Chadwick, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster had ordered for the flags atop the Statehouse to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset. Governor McMaster said in a tweet, “To honor the life, contributions and memory of a truly extraordinary son of South Carolina @chadwickboseman- I have ordered the flags atop the Statehouse to be lowered to half-staff tomorrow, Sunday August 30, 2020, from sunrise to sunset. The two flags will be removed at sunset and will be presented to Mr. Boseman’s family at the appropriate time.” Even though this legend is now gone, he will always have a place in our hearts.