Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman has died after a 4 years fight with colon cancer.
His publicist, Nicki Fioravante, confirmed The Associated Press that the late actor passed away at his home in Los Angeles with his family by his side.
The family took it to Twitter and wrote, “It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV”.
The tweet further says, “It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther,’ the statement said. ‘The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time”.
Boseman did not talk publicly about his disease but the family confirmed that a lot of his films including Marshall, Da 5 Bloods, and August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom were filmed while he was having series of countless surgeries and chemotherapy sessions.
The late actor is known for playing real-life characters, including professional baseball player Jackie Robinson in 2013 biopic, 42, James Brown in 2014’s Get On Up, and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in 2017’s Marshall.
He got international fame after playing the T’Challa, king of the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, and the crime fighter known as Black Panther. The film became one of the highest-grossing Marvel’s superhero movies and went on to be nominated for 6 Oscars, including best picture.
Marvel Studios released an official statement saying, ‘Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with Chadwick Boseman’s family. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest In Peace.’
Other celebrities and actors from across the world are also showing their condolences to the family. ‘This is a crushing blow’ actor and director Jordan Peele said on Twitter. Issa Rae also expressed her grief and wrote, ‘This broke me,’.
No one will be able to fill the shoes of Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panter. RIP.