‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman dies of cancer at 43

Chadwick Boseman, the Howard University grad, who found fame as the star of the groundbreaking film “Black Panther” and who also portrayed Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall, died on Friday. He was 43.

A statement posted on his Instagram account said he learned in 2016 that he had Stage 3 colon cancer and that it had progressed to Stage 4. It said he died in his home with his wife and family by his side. “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” the statement said. “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.”

Oprah Winfrey wrote on Twitter that Mr. Boseman was “a gentle gifted SOUL.” “Showing us all that Greatness in between surgeries and chemo,” she wrote. “The courage, the strength, the Power it takes to do that. This is what Dignity looks like.”

Wayne A. I. Frederick,  president, Howard University, wrote "the Howard community is profoundly sadden as we we mourn the loss of our alumnus. His incredible talent will forever be immortalized through his characters and through his own person journey from student to superhero!"   

"We are  all the better because he lived a life with purpose filled with love," he added.