Celebrated Hollywood actor Chadwick Boseman has passed away at the age of 43.
The ‘Black Panther’ star died from colon cancer at his home in Los Angeles on Friday night, according to his publicist Nicki Fioravante.
Fioravante said Boseman had battled the disease for the past four years and died with his wife and family by his side.
He was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and had progressed to stage IV by the time of his passing.
“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.”
Boseman, who was born in South Carolina, had never spoken publicly about his cancer diagnosis.
His T’Challa character was introduced to the Marvel movies in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, and his Wakanda Forever salute became famous after the release of ‘Black Panther’ in 2018. He also played the same role in other Marvel films Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
