Horrible, shocking news this evening, with Deadline reporting that Chadwick Boseman has died, age 43, after a four year battle with colon cancer. According to Deadline, Boseman kept his illness quiet over the years, and, truth be told, many fans seemed worried on social media earlier this year when photos of him looking frail got out there. Like many, I assumed it was just for a role, and certainly, his output hadn't slowed, with him recently starring, to great acclaim, in Spike Lee's DA 5 BLOODS.
Frankly, I'm at a loss. Boseman, by all accounts, was a wonderful guy and a worldwide icon to boot following his iconic turn in Ryan Coogler's BLACK PANTHER. To many of us he simply WAS T'Challa and his performance is – frankly – immortal.
His official twitter account shed a little more light on his passing:
How horrible for Boseman and his family. At a time like this, there's nothing else to do but to express our deepest condolences to his family, and as true fans of the man, who first blasted onto the scene playing Jackie Robinson in 42, we've lost an icon. He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace Chadwick. You're well-loved sir.