Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, has died of cancer.
He was 42.
Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante said.
Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement.
"A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much," the statement read.
"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.
"It was the honour of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther."
Boseman had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis.
That's so shocking that he did all of that work while having cancer. I don't like Marvel movies, but he was a great actor in everything else I've seen him in. He was great in Da 5 Bloods, so that was a good movie to go out with at least. RIP.
Just goes to show how good of a human he was to still do all the movies he did during that time and visit kids in hospital, etc. all while dealing with cancer.
The Black Panther movie wasn't my favourite MCU movie, but I did like Boseman in the role.
