Celebrity Tributes To Chadwick Boseman
BY ISABELLA KANCZUK ‘23
Chadwick Boseman played many groundbreaking roles throughout his lifetime, such as Black Panther, James Brown, Jackie Robinson, and Thurgood Marshall. Sadly, he passed away from cancer on August 28th, 2020 at his home in Los Angeles, California. Per a statement posted on Boseman’s Instagram account, Boseman was diagnosed in 2016 with Stage 3 colon cancer, and it had progressed to Stage 4. Boseman was just 43 years old when he died.
Many prominent figures in the arts world and civic life paid tribute to Boseman shortly after his death. Martin Luther King III, for instance, a human rights activist and the eldest son of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said the actor “brought history to life on the silver screen” in his portrayals of pioneering Black leaders.
Joseph R. Biden Jr., former vice president and current Democratic presidential nominee, shared a post on Twitter saying that Boseman had “inspired generations and showed them they can be anything they want — even super heroes.”
Oprah Winfrey also posted a tweet, writing that Boseman was “a gentle gifted SOUL.”
Actor Josh Gad shared an emotional video of himself crying. “I don’t have words,” he mourned. “I feel sick. I love you my friend. Goodbye. Until we meet again”.
“Heartbroken for his family and friends,” Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted on August 29. “Heartsick for the roles we'll never get to see him play. Grateful for every moment we had with him on screen. What a legacy, what a light.”
In an interview with Extra posted on September 2, Shaquille O'Neal commemorated Boseman’s legacy by raving about Black Panther. “You know what’s crazy? I had to ask somebody, was Wakanda a real place? That’s how much I was into the movie,” he explained. “Chadwick did a great job. He will definitely, definitely be missed.”
Both Barack and Michelle Obama shared photos on Instagram from Boseman's visit to the White House in 2016.
Other celebrities who thanked Boseman for inspiring so many around the globe include Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey, Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Reynolds, and Mindy Kaling.
In high school Boseman was a serious basketball player, but he turned to storytelling after a close friend and teammate was shot and killed. Boseman enrolled at Howard University in 1996 with the dream of becoming a director.
After graduating, Boseman moved to New York to work in theater. He wrote and directed several plays, including “Deep Azure” and “Hieroglyphic Graffiti.”
Boseman’s acting career officially began a few years later, with stints on TV shows such as “All My Children,” “Law & Order,” “ER,” “Fringe,” “Castle,” and “Lincoln Heights.” In 2013, he would go on to play the leading role as Jackie Robinson in “42.” Boseman appeared as a Vietnam War hero in the Spike Lee epic “Da 5 Bloods,” released in spring 2020. However, Boseman became a household name when he joined the Marvel franchise as T’Challa, the Black Panther, in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.” He reprised the role in “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame,” with both films greatly adding to his success. Before his death, Boseman worked alongside Seth MacFarlane to produce a new limited series based on the Little Rock Nine.
Chadwick Boseman inspired thousands of children and adults around the globe throughout his lifetime and through his influential roles. His legacy will last forever. Rest in peace, Chadwick Boseman.