
Chadwick Boseman, known for his role in Marvelโs Black Panther, died on Friday after a four-year battle with cancer.
The actor, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2016 before it progressed to Stage 4, died at home with his wife and family, according to a statement posted on his Twitter account. He was 43 years old.
โA true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you so many of the films you have come to love so much,โ the statement said. โFrom Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilsonโs Ma Raineyโs Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.โ
Boseman played Black icons such as James Brown, Thurgood Marshall, and Jackie Robinson, as well as his most groundbreaking role as King TโChalla in Black Panther. โIt was the honor of his career to bring King TโChalla to life in Black Panther,โ the statement said.
News of Bosemanโs death was met with shock and grief. On social media, tributes poured in from prominent figures including President Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Martin Luther King III, as well as Diddy, Mariah Carey, Cardi B, Drake, and more.
The Weeknd, who contributed to the Black Panther soundtrack, was overcome with emotion. โthis is too heartbreaking. gone way too soon. rip,โ he wrote alongside a photo of the late actor.
โIโm so shocked and heartbroken about Chadwick,โ tweeted John Legend. โHe was such a bright light, such a gifted performer. He brought grace, elegance and power to everything he did. He always seemed to carry our ancestors with him. And now he joins them far too soon.โ
SZA, whose song โAll the Starsโ served as the theme to Black Panther, recalled meeting Boseman. โDown as hell about this shit . Wow .. thank you for changing our lives !!!โฆ thank you for always being kind. Iโm so Honored to have met you at all . A TRUE LEGEND AND LIGHT ! praying for your familyโs guidance and ultimate healing rn Rest well King.โ
A grateful Diddy honored the real life superhero. โMy brotha Iโm truly gonna miss you! You brought all of our heroโs to life. We thank you! Rest In Peace Chadwick Boseman,โ he wrote.
Mariah Carey added, โThis is heartbreaking. Thank you for persevering through it all. You leave behind an incredible body of work and an inspiring legacy. Rest in power. Chadwick Forever.โ
Ciara reflected on meeting Boseman, calling him the โkindest, chill, and most peaceful person,โ while Chris Brown shared a mural that he painted alongside Kobe Bryant in honor of Bosemanโs Black Panther character.
Toni Braxton recalled Boseman telling her that his favorite song of hers was โYou Mean the World to Me.โ โOur makeup artists are friends and he used to get on the phone and ask me to sing โYou Mean The World To Meโ because it was his favorite song of mine,โ she said, โand now this song will be forever dedicated to him. Rest In Power King.โ