Chadwick Boseman, 'Black Panther' Actor, Dies of Cancer at 43

[HARDY]

 

Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.

Chadwick Boseman, the electric young star who projected so much vitality as the star of such films as Black Panther, Get on Up and 42, died Friday. He was 43.

Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.

Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family said in a statement. He had never spoken publicly about his diagnosis.

“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family said in the statement. “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 honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”'

His death comes amid the nation’s emotional reckoning with racial justice and on baseball’s Jackie Robinson Day, in which every player in the big leagues wears No. 42. He portrayed the legendary Brooklyn Dodger in the Brian Helgeland-directed drama 42.