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Chadwick Boseman has died at the age of 43 after a 4-year battle with colon cancer.
His family released a statement:
"It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV."
"He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side"
Chadwick, brought the first black Marvel superhero to life in "Black Panther" portrayed the 1st Black Major Leaguer in Jackie Robinson, The Godfather Of Soul James Brown, and The Honrable Thurgood Marshall in "Marshall."
Born in South Carolina, he wrote his first play in high school and attended the famous Howard University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Fine arts.
In 2008 Boseman appeared in Gary Fleder's The Express, starting his run of biopics. The film about renowned running back Ernie Davis, who played for Syracuse University during the civil rights era, co-starred Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid, with Boseman featured as running back Floyd Little.
He, then took the world by storm in 2013 in the role of Jackie Robinson in "42."
"The story is relevant because we still stand on his shoulders. He started something - I would even say maybe he didn't even start it, it started before him. But he carried the torch. And he carried it alone for a period of time before other people could help him." Chadwick said
He signed on to portray James Brown in Get on Up, a story that producer Brian Grazer had spent years trying to bring to the big screen. Boseman had to master the fast and furious footwork that the Godfather of Soul was famous for in the film. Grazer was finally able to get the movie going with help from Mick Jagger.
in 2016, Boseman moved on to play one of the most influential roles of a generation in the portrayal of T'Challa, aka Black Panther. Joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his appearance in Captain America: Civil War. He played, king of the African country of Wakanda, who becomes the powerful Black Panther.
Boseman continued the role in Black Panther, which shattered box office records upon its release, taking in an estimated $218 million domestically over the weekend, and went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
The impact he had on Hollywood, while short, was iconic.
Chadwick was 43.
Photos by Getty Images