
Celebrities Share Touching Tributes to Chadwick Boseman in the Wake of His Death
By Mustafa GatollariAug. 29 2020, Published 11:18 a.m. ET
So many horrible things have happened in 2020 that every single week, folks are adding yet another calamity, disaster, WTF story, or downright tragedy to the list of why things are absolutely cursed in this abominable year. Now, actor Chadwick Boseman's death due to a four-year-long battle with colon cancer is being added to that list. The world was shocked by the sudden news and a host of celebrities expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the late actor.
Jamie Foxx, LeBron James, Chris Evans, and other celebrities reacted to Chadwick Boseman's death.
Foxx wrote on Instagram, "Please Jesus please... I know you know what’s best... but at this moment our hearts are writhing with so much pain... so to lose this beautiful black king renders me weak...please watch over his family and loved ones.... @chadwickboseman you have touched the lives of all of us... u will forever be remembered in the highest regard... REST IN POWER! our black king! Our black panther!"
Disney's executive chairman and one of the most powerful men in Hollywood also shared the sad news on his timeline and in a series of tweets praised Chadwick for the impact he had on people all over the world. He wrote, "We are all heartbroken by the tragic loss of #chadwickboseman -- an extraordinary talent, and one of the most gentle and giving souls I have ever met. He brought enormous strength, dignity and depth to his groundbreaking role of Black Panther; shattering myths and stereotypes..."
We are all heartbroken by the tragic loss of #chadwickboseman -- an extraordinary talent, and one of the most gentle and giving souls I have ever met. He brought enormous strength, dignity and depth to his groundbreaking role of Black Panther; shattering myths and stereotypes,
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) August 29, 2020
becoming a long-awaited hero to millions around the world, and inspiring us all to dream bigger and demand more than the status quo. We mourn all that he was, as well as everything he was destined to become.
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) August 29, 2020
For his friends and millions of fans, his absence from the screen is only eclipsed by his absence from our lives. All of us at Disney send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family.
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) August 29, 2020
Ohio State football fans also remembered Chadwick Boseman's role in the 2014 film, 'Draft Day.'
Most people remember Boseman for his role as T'Challa, the king of Wakanda in Black Panther and other Marvel films, but he had become one of the most respected American actors in Hollywood prior to landing the gig for his consistent string of remarkable performances leading up to his casting as T'Challa. He blew people away with his biopic portrayals of Jackie Robinson in 42, and James Brown in Get on Up.
With the first pick of the 2014 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns select Vontae Mack, Linebacker, Ohio State.
— The InFormation (@InFormationNFL) August 29, 2020
R.I.P. Chadwick Boseman. ❤️😭
Vontae Mack no matter what. pic.twitter.com/Q2aQ34fun0
Vontae Mack no matter what 🌰
— Barstool OSU (@BarstoolOSU) August 29, 2020
RIP to the legend Chadwick Boseman 🙏✊ pic.twitter.com/I7Pg52Sntk
In the 2014 film, Draft Day he plays Vontae Mack, a football player hoping to get into the NFL. He is ultimately drafted to the Cleveland Browns in the movie, so Ohio sports fans have an extra soft spot for Boseman, who was praised for his "excellent" work in the movie.
After his debut as T'Challa, he was still a top choice for dramatic biopics, as evidenced by 2017's Marshall, where he depicted the first African-American associate supreme court justice, Thurgood Marshall, in the movie.
Chadwick Boseman revealed on Jimmy Fallon that Denzel Washington once paid for his acting classes.
Cinema legend Denzel Washington was Boseman's private benefactor who saw to it that he had access to an Oxford summer acting program that he was encouraged to apply for but couldn't afford to attend. Boseman discussed the story on Jimmy Fallon and says that he held on to the secret for years and wanted to wait before he discussed it with Denzel until he was at a point in his career where he felt comfortable to do so. He details Denzel's hilarious response in the interview below.
A quick look at Boseman's IMDb page also reveals that he didn't exactly have the "easiest" career trajectory and it's clear that constant work and determination paid off. He secured small roles in TV productions and lesser known films since 2003, but it wasn't until 2008 that he secured a recurring role on the short-lived TV series, Lincoln Heights.
Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with Chadwick Boseman’s family. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/DyibBLoBxz
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 29, 2020
It’s not every day that St. Jude gets a visit from an Avenger! Thank you @ChadwickBoseman for stopping by to bring joy to our patients and learn more about our lifesaving mission! ❤ 🎉 pic.twitter.com/7RwPO7qgPD
— St. Jude (@StJude) September 12, 2018
He'd get another recurring role on Persons Unknown, and then, again, take one-off roles in TV shows until he secured leading man duties in 2012's The Kill Hole. His breakout role was as Jackie Robinson in 42, and from there, his trajectory only moved up.
The entertainment world was shocked of his passing, as he was a tremendous talent with decades of inspiring work, both on and off camera, left in him.
Heartbroken. My friend and fellow Bison Chadwick Boseman was brilliant, kind, learned, and humble. He left too early but his life made a difference. Sending my sincere condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/C5xGkUi9oZ
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 29, 2020
So stunned. Honored to have worked with @chadwickboseman early on. Truly an amazing man. God bless his wife and family in this difficult time. Rest In Peace, brother.🙏🏾❤️
Posted by Terry Crews on Friday, August 28, 2020
Here’s to an incredible man with immeasurable talent, who leaned into life regardless of his personal battles. You never truly know what the people around you might be going through - treat them with kindness and cherish every minute you have together. RIP #ChadwickBoseman pic.twitter.com/NaNC5GKuut
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) August 29, 2020
A warrior of light til the very end. A true king. I am without words. May he rise in power. https://t.co/50nfbvZpAq
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) August 29, 2020
1 of my all time favorite people on the planet Chadwick Boseman has passed away after a 4 years of fighting cancer. An wonderful actor & a truly nice man. R.IP. condolences to his family
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) August 29, 2020
All I have to say is the tragedies amassing this year have only been made more profound by the loss of #ChadwickBoseman. What a man, and what an immense talent. Brother, you were one of the all time greats and your greatness was only beginning. Lord love ya. Rest in power, King.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 29, 2020
What a gentle gifted SOUL. Showing us all that Greatness in between surgeries and chemo. The courage, the strength, the Power it takes to do that. This is what Dignity looks like. https://t.co/U3OOnJVS42
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) August 29, 2020
Chadwick Boseman brought history to life on the silver screen, from Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall.
— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) August 29, 2020
As Black Panther, he was also a superhero to many.
And despite his 4 year long battle with cancer, he kept fighting and he kept inspiring. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/f0Tc8ByaXj
May god bless you and carry you home @chadwickboseman. We lost one of the greats today. His legacy will live on forever in his beloved films and in the heart of everyone who loved him. pic.twitter.com/uKFuWUOaHX
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) August 29, 2020
I don’t have words. Rest In Peace, Bruh. Thank you for all you did while you were here. Thank you for being a friend. You are loved. You will be missed. 🤜🏿🤛🏿 https://t.co/8rK4dWmorq
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) August 29, 2020
— John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) August 29, 2020
I’m floored by this news, Chadwick was one of the best and I really enjoyed watching him work. RIP https://t.co/N9HtKuuMIg
— Ice Cube (@icecube) August 29, 2020
I’m absolutely devastated. This is beyond heartbreaking.
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) August 29, 2020
Chadwick was special. A true original. He was a deeply committed and constantly curious artist. He had so much amazing work still left to create. I’m endlessly grateful for our friendship. Rest in power, King💙 pic.twitter.com/oBERXlw66Z
Angela Bassett’s touching message about Chadwick💔 pic.twitter.com/3xswOcnntE
— Makho Ndlovu (@makhondlovu) August 29, 2020
Our thoughts go out to Chadwick's family, friends, and fans as they cope with the news of his death.