ACTOR Chadwick Boseman passed away at his Los Angeles home with his wife, Taylor Simone, and other family members by his side.
The beloved movie star was only 43 at the time of his death but had harboured a secret heath battle.
Who was Chadwick Boseman?
The American actor was born and raised in South Carolina in 1976 as the son of a nurse and an upholstery entrepreneur.
He was part of a church choir and youth group.
Boseman graduated from Howard University in Washington DC.
Despite playing roles on television, it wasn’t until 2013 that he hit the big time in 42.
Throughout his acting career he portrayed several real-life historical figures.
What movies did he star in?
The prominent actor was known for a number of roles – but most notably the lead in the Disney action-hero flick Black Panther.
The South Carolina native played King T’Challa in the original 2018 film, and reprised the role in spinoffs Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War.
He was also renowned for his performance of legend Jackie Robinson in the 2013 film 42 opposite Harrison Ford.
Chadwick was critically praised for playing Thurgood Marshall in the 2017 crime drama, Marshall – which also starred Kate Hudson and Sterling K. Brown.
The actor recently appeared in Spike Lee’s 2020 film Da 5 Bloods as “Stormin’” Norman Earl Holloway, a US Army soldier that was killed during the Vietnam War.
He can next be seen opposite Viola Davis in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Based on the 1982 play of the same name, the film will follow the titular character’s band members are they gather in Chicago to record a new album.
He also showed off both his acting chops and vocal talents as James Brown in 2014’s biopic Get on Up.
His final acting role will be in the upcoming film August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, while a Black Panther sequel was expected to come out in 2022.
Why did the Black Panther star die?
The Black Panther star died at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer.
Colon cancer starts in the colon – but if it starts in the large intestines, it can be called bowel cancer.
The type of cancer can affect the colon, rectum, and intestines.
His family confirmed the beloved movie star’s tragic passing on Twitter and revealed he had first been diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016 – two years before the release of his Marvel blockbuster.
His passing comes following months of fans worrying for the Marvel star’s health after he was pictured with drastic weight loss.
The disease escalated to stage 4 over the last four years, his family said.
“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 Wildson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy,” the statement said of the star’s private health struggle.
It continued: “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.”
The family concluded by thanking his fans for their support and prayers during this difficult time.
Prior to his death, Chadwick had not publicly spoken about his illness.
