News: Chadwick Boseman, 'Black Panther' actor, has passed away

In a year already rife with tragedy and hard times, news has broken that actor Chadwick Boseman has sadly died aged just 43 after a brave private battle with colon cancer since a diagnosis in 2016.

Known to millions around the world as Marvel superhero T'Challa / Black Panther, Boseman struck a chord with many critics and fans for his portrayal. Not just as Black Panther himself, first seen in 2016s 'Captain America: Civil War', but as a role-model and advocate for black representation in a very white dominated genre.

With his own solo film 'Black Panther' in 2018, this brave and radical film launched Boseman into the public eye to see just how powerful and charming an actor he was. He proudly channeled African culture and heritage into his role, standing tall as an African-American representative in the genre.

When you think he created and launched his T'Challa role during his cancer diagnosis and on-going fight, it somehow makes his performance even more powerful and meaningful.

But Boseman was acting far before donning the Marvel mask.

His first major screen role was in 2008s biopic 'The Express: The Ernie Davis Story'. Yet it was in 2013s '42', a biopic, telling the story of professional American baseball player Jackie Robinson and his battle against racism within the sports industry holding him back. This put Boseman on the industry map and allowed him to show his acting ability.

Action, drama and biopic were Boseman's strength, showcasing his ability even during his private battle with cancer in other film such as 2018s 'Avengers: Infinity War', 2019s '21 Bridges' and 2020's 'Da 5 Bloods'. This just proved his passion for the industry he loved, the colleagues he loved working with and the stories he loved to tell for audiences around the world.

It it was a heavy-heart to also note Boseman married singer Taylor Simone Ledward in 2019, and their happiness has cruelly been cut short.

Boseman's final on-screen performance will be seen in the upcoming George C. Wolfe film 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' co-starring Viola Davis and co-produced by Denzel Washingston.

Awful news indeed, taking away a much loved star and advocate for equality through his work.

Chadwick Aaron Boseman

1976 - 2020