The news that Chadwick Boseman – the actor who played Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as starring in James Brown biopic Get On Up, thriller 21 Bridges, Thurgood Marshall biopic Marshall, Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods and more – has passed away at the age of 43 after a private battle with cancer has come as a shock to many. For fans, filmmakers, co-stars and the like, it’s a sudden and heartbreaking loss – a young icon who gave so much in such a short space of time, and who surely had so much more ahead of him.
As the news of his death continues to spread, his loved ones, collaborators and contemporaries have been sharing tributes to his life, work and legacy on social media, speaking to his talent, his generosity, artistry and friendship.
Of his Marvel co-stars, Don Cheadle hailed his “light and love”, and Samuel L. Jackson called him “a talented and giving artist and brother”. Chris Evans wrote that Chadwick “was a deeply committed and constantly curious artist”. Mark Ruffalo said “it was the highest honour getting to work with you and getting to know you”.
Angela Bassett, who played T’Challa’s mother Ramonda in Black Panther, wrote a beautiful, lengthy tribute on Instagram, sharing her memories of working closely with him, and of meeting him several years before they would eventually share the screen.
Danai Gurira, Okoye to Boseman's T'Challa, wrote a powerful tribute to her friend and co-star in Black Panther and other MCU entries.
Simu Liu, soon to play Shang-Chi in the MCU’s upcoming Phase 4, paid tribute to the doors Boseman opened as an actor of colour leading a major Marvel movie. “Without Chadwick, and what he gave to his character, there is no Shang Chi,” he wrote.
Chris Hemsworth called Boseman “one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve met”, and Brie Larson wrote that he “radiated power and peace”.
Filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, who directed Boseman in the lead role in Marshall, spoke of the actor’s “dedication to art” and “love for culture”. His co-star of that film, Josh Gad, shared a beautifully-composed text message he received from Boseman, in one of their final communications.
Boseman’s final performance will be seen in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, sharing the screen with lead star Viola Davis. She shared a message hailing his “talent, spirit, heart and authenticity”.
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay posted a tribute to Boseman along with one of Black Panther’s most beautiful and affecting images – T’Challa on the Ancestral Plane.
Ryan Coogler, who directed him on Black Panther, paid moving tribute to his colleague and friend in a statement toDeadline. "It is with a heavy heart and a sense of deep gratitude to have ever been in his presence, that I have to reckon with the fact that Chad is an ancestor now," Coogler concluded. "And I know that he will watch over us, until we meet again."
Between his work and these remembrances, of which there are sure to be many more, it’s clear that Boseman was both a formidable talent, and a thoughtful, generous spirit who made an impression on everyone he met. He will be very sorely missed.