Late actor Chadwick Boseman pictures above
By Hiba Nawaid ’23 & Kenna Hurtuk ’23
Staff Writers
On Aug. 28, surrounded by family, Boseman passed away at the age of 43 after a four-year-long battle with colon cancer. Best known for his iconic role as T’Challa in Marvel’s “Black Panther,” his portrayal of Jackie Robinson in “42,” and his starring roles in “21 Bridges” and “Marshall,” Boseman has long been a key figure for Black representation in film. He graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing (eventually directing two short films called “Heaven” and “Blood Over a Broken Pawn”), but became better known for his work in front of the camera.
Hollywood is not alone in mourning the loss of acclaimed actor and playwright Chadwick Boseman. Politicians, activists, professional athletes and citizens across the globe have taken to social media to express their grief and shock at Boseman’s passing, as well as admiration at his impact. From young children holding mock funerals for their “Black Panther” action figures to major organizations making donations in his name, Boseman’s influence has extended far beyond the cinematic universes of his career. A statement issued by Boseman’s family read, “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
Boseman challenged racial stereotypes in film since his debut. He was fired from one of his first roles as Reggie Porter in the ABC soap opera “All My Children” after just one week, for refusing to play a stereotypical character. However, his suggestions for Porter were taken into account when selecting a new actor to continue the role. Michael B. Jordan, his “All My Children” replacement and “Black Panther” co-star, said, “It’s hard to speak in the moment about how things we do can affect other people. ... And the work that we’re doing on ‘Black Panther’ is hopefully doing the same thing for the next group of actors that are coming up, just like our predecessors opened up doors and made things easier for us.”
In the wake of Boseman’s passing, numerous people took to Twitter to express astonishment at what he achieved while privately undergoing cancer treatments. Boseman was known for frequenting children’s cancer hospitals such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee. In 2018, during a SiriusXM interview, he talked about communicating with two terminally ill kids while filming “Black Panther,” a detail that becomes even more significant following news of his condition.
Despite his decision to maintain secrecy about his fight with cancer, Boseman’s passing has sparked a conversation about the perceptions surrounding Black disabled people who keep their conditions private. Boseman has catalyzed this conversation, especially considering he underwent treatment while filming an action movie. The Black Disability Collective pointed out that his experiences should be discussed through a disability lens. His experiences address the multifaceted nature of disability in a society that is heavy with stigma about visible disabilities.
Looking back on Boseman’s career, he has become the hero to a generation beyond the characters he played, and his legacy has more to come. His final film, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” is scheduled to be released posthumously. As for “Black Panther,” many fans are hoping the title will be passed down to T’Challa’s sister, Shuri.