The world is mourning the loss of Chadwick Boseman, the star of the film Black Panther, who died after a years-long battle with colon cancer. The 43-year-old iconic actor proved to be a true fighter as he played some of his most famous roles during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.
The news hit everyone hard, but especially Chadwick’s co-star, actor Josh Gad. Josh starred with Chadwick in the 2017 movie Marshall and felt it was just right to share his heartbreaking tribute on Twitter.
Not only did Josh post a video where he talked about the legacy that his dear friend left behind, he also shared the most beautiful text messages Chadwick had sent him earlier. Josh stated that he is “breaking his Twitter silence to share this beauty,” and he concluded that “tonight the Heavens have received one of its most powerful angels.” Read one of Chadwick's last inspiring messages in full below that captures everything the world needs these days.
Following a years-long battle with cancer, Chadwick Boseman passed away on August 29
Image credits: chadwickboseman
It was officially confirmed on Chadwick's Twitter page and the news hit everyone hard
Image credits: chadwickboseman
His co-star Josh Gad paid a tribute to the iconic actor and shared the last message Chadwick sent him
Image credits: joshgad
Image credits: chadwickboseman
Chadwick Boseman was a chameleon of the screen who embodied historical titans like Jackie Robinson, James Brown, and Thurgood Marshall. He also managed to construct a role like Black Panther’s T’Challa, which became distinctly his own. The 2018 film was the first Marvel film ever with a majority-Black cast, which marked the beginning of a new inclusive era in the Hollywood film industry.
After its premiere in January of 2018, the movie gained instant momentum among worldwide critics and box offices, bringing in $1.347 billion globally. Black Panther became the highest-grossing solo superhero film.
The loyal fans of the South Carolina-born actor, in the wake of his death, are now urging Marvel not to recast Boseman’s role of T'Challa and to retire his character altogether out of respect. One person tweeted: “Please retire the character out of respect, and have him live as a legend within the world. Like Universal did with Paul Walker in Fast & Furious.”
More people shared their touching tributes to Chadwick
Image credits: KamalaHarris
Image credits: idreezus
Image credits: DonCheadle
The former President Barack Obama also took time to praise Chadwick and said he knew the actor was blessed
Image credits: BarackObama
Chadwick was diagnosed with third stage colon cancer 4 years ago, but he largely kept it secret. His diagnosis soon progressed to fourth stage, meaning the cancer had spread beyond his colon.
According to Web Md, the actor’s death reflects a troubling recent trend. Mark Hanna, a colorectal surgeon at City of Hope Cancer Center, said that “We have noticed an increasing incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults. I've seen patients as young as their early 20s."
Chadwick was only 43 years old when he passed away on Sunday.
Image credits: MarkRuffalo
Image credits: KamalaHarris
Image credits: ChrisEvans
Image credits: Lakers
Image credits: im.angelabassett
Image credits: chadwickboseman
Image credits: chadwickboseman
Image credits: chadwickboseman
Image credits: chadwickboseman
Image credits: BrettFavre
Image credits: RageElixir
Image credits: BabuSantana
Image credits: _MrRocky
Image credits: MacMabuza
Image credits: NancyjeanPetro
Image credits: kandigrl93
Image credits: MedellinRentals
Image credits: fox60Pa