Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman studied at Howard University before starting his career as a writer, director and actor in the theater. The South Carolina native broke into the TV industry by playing Nathaniel Ray on Lincoln Heights in 2008 and then portraying Graham McNair on Persons Unknown in 2010.

Boseman made an even bigger name for himself on the big screen after portraying baseball legend Jackie Robinson in 2013’s 42. He followed up that role by starring in Draft Day, Get on Up and Gods of Egypt.

In 2016, he made his debut as Marvel superhero T’Challa/Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War. He reprised the role in three more Avengers films, including 2018’s Black Panther, which won three Oscars and was nominated for seven overall awards. Boseman was also the star of Marshall and 21 Bridges — where he also served as a producer — and Da 5 Bloods.

The actor died on August 28, 2020, after a private four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43. The late star is survived by his wife Simone Ledward Boseman.

Following his death, Boseman won a 2021 Critics’ Choice award and a 2021 Golden Globe award for his performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which was released in December 2020. He also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Levee in the movie in April 2021.