Actor Chadwick Boseman, who starred in “Black Panther” and “42,” died of colon cancer Friday at the age of 43 at his home in the Los Angeles area.
“Chadwick was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last four years as it progressed to stage 4,” a representative said in a statement on Boseman’s Twitter account Friday evening.
Boseman portrayed the superhero Black Panther in four Marvel Cinematic Universe films — “Captain America: Civil War,” “Black Panther,” “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame”
“It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in `Black Panther,”’ the statement said.
Boseman’s first starring role was as baseball legend Jackie Robinson in “42.” The following year he played James Brown in “Get On Up.”
“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. 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,” the statement read.
Boseman died at his home surrounded by his wife and family, according to the statement.
Boseman was raised in South Carolina before moving to Washington to study at Howard University, where he graduated in 2000.
California Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee, and a fellow Howard graduate, tweeted that she was heartbroken by Boseman’s death.
“My friend and fellow Bison Chadwick Boseman was brilliant, kind, learned, and humble,” Harris tweeted. “He left too early but his life made a difference.”
A candlelight vigil in Boseman’s memory organized by Project Islamic Hope is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday at Leimert Park.