Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman dies following battle with cancer

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman has died at 43 following a four-year battle with colon cancer.

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died on Friday evening following a four-year struggle with cancer. The actor was 43 years old. According to a statement posted to his Twitter account, he’d been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer back in 2016, which eventually progressed to stage IV.

“It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman,” the statement read. ” It went on to reveal that the actor had been undergoing treatment for his cancer diagnosis while working on many of the projects he’s appeared in over the past few years.

“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” it continued. “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.”

According to the post, Boseman’s family was with him when he passed.

The news came as a shock to many, and as soon as it broke, fans and friends took to social media to mourn the actor’s passing and to celebrate his legacy. As #WakandaForever trended, fans spoke of how important his portrayal of T’Challa was to them — and it’s clear from the remembrances of his co-stars and loved ones that the role meant just as much to him. The statement announcing his death described it as “the honor of his career.”

We were certainly honored to have him as our Black Panther. May he rest in peace and power.