Much more than an actor, Chadwick Boseman embodied an ideal of courage and determination. After battling colon cancer for four years, the actor died at 43, at his home in Los Angeles. His death on August 29 was like a bomb in the world of cinema and far beyond.
The one who brought King T'Challa to life in Black Panther on the big screen has become a symbol of the Black Lives Matter movement and brought Black Power back to its name. Impressive popularity as evidenced by the sad record set by the tweet announcing his death, which became the most liked publication on the social network Twitter.
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There followed a long series of tributes from around the world and from all walks of life. “ Chadwick came to the White House to work with the children when he played Jackie Robinson in the film 42 ,” recalls former United States President Barack Obama. You could tell right away that he was blessed. To be young, talented and black; to use this power to give them heroes to admire; to do it while suffering - what use of his years ”.
Active on the sets with no less than eight feature films since the diagnosis of his disease in 2016, Chadwick Boseman was also an American involved in the politics of his country, in particular alongside Kamala Harris. “ My friend and colleague Bison Chadwick Boseman was brilliant, kind, cultured and humble, ” said Joe Biden's running mate.
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The candidate for the US presidential election also paid tribute to the actor. " Chadwick Boseman's real power was greater than anything we saw on screen," he explains in a tweet. From Black Panther to Jackie Robinson, he's inspired generations and has shown them that they can be anything they want, even superheroes ”.
The grieving Marvel family
A full member of the Avengers and a cultural phenomenon, the character of Black Panther has offered Chadwick Boseman a rich career but above all a second family. From Robert Downey Jr to Jeremy Renner to Samuel L. Jackson, the actors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have all paid tribute to the actor. “ The dedication of this young man was impressive, his smile contagious, his talent unreal. I therefore pay tribute to a beautiful spirit, an accomplished artist, a brother full of soul ”writes Angela Bassett with emotion.
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“ It's inconceivable that you are no longer with us, Chad. This world needs you, now maybe more than ever, ”said actor Andy Serkis. Others such as Mark Ruffalo, Forest Whitaker or Brie Larson have not forgotten his “ talent ” nor his “ generosity ”. Chris Evans talks about his unwavering commitment and curiosity while his playing partner, Danai Gurira, recalls the shoots and his " wonderful laugh ".
The legacy of Chadwick Boseman
Beyond cinema, Chadwick Boseman has become the spokesperson for a community but above all for an exemplary state of mind, through his personal life but also through Black Panther. When Whoopi Goldberg hopes for a theme park around the imaginary country of Wakanda, Dwayne Johnson tells how the actor has changed mentalities, especially among younger people. For Hollywood and Ava DuVernay, it is black Hollywood that loses an important member of its family.
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On the sports side, the driver Lewis Hamilton dedicated his prize to him at the Grand Prix de Spa, while the French footballers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kylian Mbappé sent him a sober and moving message.