Marvel Stars, Disney Executives, and More Pay Tribute to Chadwick Boseman

Shannen Ace

Marvel Stars, Disney Executives, and More Pay Tribute to Chadwick Boseman

Yesterday, Chadwick Boseman, most known for portraying T’Challa, King of Wakanda and the Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, passed away from colon cancer at the age of 43. Boseman portrayed the role in four Marvel films, including Black Panther. He is also known for playing historical figures Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get on Up, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall.

In the hours since his passing, friends, fans, co-stars, and colleagues have been mourning his loss and paying tribute to him across social media.

Marvel Studios posted a tribute late last night.

Bob Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company and former CEO, posted the following:

Iger went on to say,

…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.

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.

Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, released the following statement:

Chadwick’s passing is absolutely devastating. He was our T’Challa, our Black Panther, and our dear friend. Each time he stepped on set, he radiated charisma and joy, and each time he appeared on screen, he created something truly indelible. He embodied a lot of amazing people in his work, and nobody was better at bringing great men to life. He was as smart and kind and powerful and strong as any person he portrayed. Now he takes his place alongside them as an icon for the ages. The Marvel Studios family deeply mourns his loss, and we are grieving tonight with his family.

The Russos, who directed Boseman in Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, told Deadline:

This is hard to process. Chadwick was an incredibly elegant and thoughtful individual who conveyed dignity and integrity in a way that very few could. A tremendous talent who inspired a generation to stand up and be king. He understood something unique and noble about life, and was determined to use his talents in ways that impacted. He had so much to give…

Several Marvel co-stars posted about Boseman, including Sterling K. Brown (N’Jobu in Black Panther), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Chris Pratt (Star-Lord), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Chris Evans (Captain America), and Chris Hemsworth (Thor).

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdUMoMpGHD/?igshid=1dcek0amoesws
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdRm6aBMPw/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://twitter.com/ChrisEvans/status/1299550103221555200?s=20
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdV9Jlpv74/

Taika Waititi, director of Thor: Ragnarok, posted the following:

“Takoto mai rā e Āriki” is Maori and approximately translates to “Lie down, King.”

Even DC posted a tribute to Boseman.

More celebrities continued to post about the actor.

https://twitter.com/WhoopiGoldberg/status/1299540929460744194?s=20

Josh Gad and Kate Hudson, who both starred with Boseman in Marshall, posted tributes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdOypJJ1KS/

Octavia Spencer starred with Boseman in Get on Up and posted twice about him, first simply saying, “We’ve lost a great one. My heart is truly broken.” She later made a longer post, noting people who had pointed out Boseman’s weight loss without considering his circumstances.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdhmIdAE3U/

Viola Davis, who starred with Boseman in Get on Up and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, posted a tribute on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdU-afBhvC/

Angela Bassett, who played Ramonda, the Queen Mother of Wakanda, in Black Panther made two posts honoring Boseman. In the first, she posted several photos of the two of them together.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdVRbfjOC8/

In her second post, she shared the story of how she and Boseman first met when he was still a student at Howard University and she was accepting her honorary degree there.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdWTTlDysD/

Howard University posted about the actor and went on to retweet several tributes to him, and shared their mental health counseling information for students.

Vice Presidential nominee and fellow Howard alumnus, Kamala Harris, was the subject of Boseman’s last tweet. She later posted a picture of the two of them together.

Major League Baseball tweeted about Boseman, noting his performance in 42.

Jackie Robinson Day, usually celebrated on April 15, saved on-field celebrations for August 28 this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to commemorate the March on Washington. Coincidentally, this was the day Boseman passed away.

Many have also been sharing the following quote that Boseman says as King T’Challa regarding the death of his father in Captain America: Civil War.

In my culture, death is not the end. It’s more of a stepping-off point. You reach out with both hands, and Bast and Sekhmet, they lead you into the green veld where you can run forever.

We are all mourning the loss of Chadwick Boseman and thinking of his family during this time.