Actor Chadwick Boseman, who brought the movie "Black Panther" to life with his charismatic intensity and regal performance, has died. Boseman has battled colon cancer since 2016 and died at home with his family and wife by his side, according to a statement posted on his Twitter account. He was 43. "A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you so many of the films you have come to love so much," the statement said, according to CNN. "From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy." A statement posted on Boseman's Twitter account, read: "It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman," the statement reads. "It was the honor of his life to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther." Boseman, who played American icons like Jackie Robinson and James Brown as well as the regal Black Panther in Marvel's blockbuster movie franchise, died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told news agency Associated Press. Born in South Carolina, Boseman graduated from Howard University and had small roles in television before his first major break in 2013. His striking portrayal of the stoic baseball star Robinson opposite Harrison Ford in 2013's "42" drew attention in Hollywood and made him a star. A year later, he wowed audiences as Brown in the biopic "Get On Up." Boseman died on a day that Major League Baseball was celebrating Jackie Robinson day. "His transcendent performance in ‘42' will stand the test of time and serve as a powerful vehicle to tell Jackie's story to audiences for generations to come," the league wrote in a tweet. Expressions of shock and despair poured in late Friday from fellow actors, athletes, musicians, Hollywood titans, fans and politicians. Viola Davis, who acted alongside Boseman in "Get On Up" and an upcoming August Wilson adaptation, tweeted: "Chadwick.....no words to express my devastation of losing you. Your talent, your spirit, your heart, your authenticity." "This is a crushing blow" actor and director Jordan Peele said on Twitter. "Captain America" actor Chris Evans called Boseman "a true original. He was a deeply committed and constantly curious artist. He had so much amazing work still left to create." Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tweeted that Boseman "inspired generations and showed them they can be anything they want — even superheroes." — Agencies
