The news of "Black Panther" film star Chadwick Boseman's death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and around the world, with tributes pouring in from sports figures, clubs, and fans around the globe.
Chadwick, an actor whose work celebrated African-American pioneers and culture, died at age 43 on Friday after a four-year battle with colon cancer, according to an announcement posted to his social media accounts.
Boseman, a native of South Carolina who began his screen career in episodes of television dramas such as "Third Watch," "Law & Order" and "ER," passed away at his home, with his wife and family at his side, the statement on Twitter and Facebook said. It did not specify when he died.
In the hours following his death, outpouring of grief from the sporting world was immediate, with sports stars reacting on social media and sharing their appreciation for the actor.
Here are some of the reactions from those in the sports world who heard of Boseman's untimely passing:
Rest in peace, Chadwick Boseman.
An inspiration whose impact went far beyond film. Your legacy will live on.#WakandaForever ?? pic.twitter.com/8gsoKRPASn — Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 29, 2020
Hard to hear about this.
Rest in love, brother.
Thank you for shining your light and sharing your talent with the world. My love and strength to your family. https://t.co/hNAWav7Cq8 — Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 29, 2020
The NBA mourns the loss of Chadwick Boseman, a great friend of the NBA family. pic.twitter.com/DUbat6plz0 — NBA (@NBA) August 29, 2020
Wakanda forever ?????????????????.#manutd #heretocreate @ManUtd @JesseLingard pic.twitter.com/widI4J976k
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) February 25, 2018
Aubameyang better score tomorrow and pull out the Black Panther mask again... pic.twitter.com/rgv5G2cySt — JT ???? (@TheVTGunner) August 29, 2020
Actor Chadwick Boseman died Friday of cancer at the age of 43.
From playing Jackie Robinson in "42," to his iconic role as T'Challa in "Black Panther," he left a lasting impact on sports and culture. pic.twitter.com/huUyLMKxSP— ESPN (@espn) August 29, 2020
Rest in Peace, Chadwick Boseman. pic.twitter.com/TXvkFcb7UD — NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2020
We lost 24 and “42” in the same year. Damn. pic.twitter.com/pf6SlN8Xja — J.A. Adande (@jadande) August 29, 2020
Boseman made his feature film debut with a small part in the 2008 sports biopic "The Express," a drama based on the life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first Black player to win the Heisman trophy.
He went on to star as a number of other real-life characters famed for breaking America's racial barriers, including soul singer James Brown in "Get on Up," Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall," and baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson in "42."
But the actor's most memorable role was his performance as T'Challa, king of the fictional, futuristic African kingdom of Wakanda and the crime fighter known as Black Panther, in the first major studio superhero movie featuring a predominantly African-American cast.
Embraced by global audiences, "Black Panther" became the second highest grossing movie at box offices worldwide in 2018, heralded for its vibrant celebration of African culture and applauded as a milestone for racial diversity in Hollywood.
The film was nominated for six Oscars, including best picture. It won three Academy Awards - in the best original score, best costume design and best production design categories. It also won the top Screen Actors Guild award that year for best movie ensemble.
Boseman originated the Black Panther film role two years earlier in Marvel's "Captain America: Civil War," and reprised the part twice more in 2018's "Avengers: Infinity War" and 2019's "Avengers: Endgame."
Additional report - Reuters
