Breaking! ‘Black Panther’ Star Chadwick Boseman Dies Of Cancer At Age 43

Chadwick Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, was pronounced dead on Friday of cancer, at age 43.

He died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press news agency.

Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, his family released in a statement.

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

Boseman did not speak publicly about his diagnosis. He is survived by his wife and a parent and had no children, Fioravante said.

He was born in South Carolina, and graduated from Howard University, having small roles in television before bagging his first star turn in 2013. His striking portrayal of the stoic baseball star Robinson opposite Harrison Ford in 2013′s 42 drew attention in Hollywood and made him a star.

A year later, he wowed audiences as Brown in the biopic Get On Up.

His T’Challa character was first introduced to the blockbuster Marvel movies in 2016′s Captain America: Civil War, and his Wakanda Forever salute had became famous around the world after the release of Black Panther two years ago.

Black Panther, the first major studio superhero movie featuring a predominantly African American cast, went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of the year and was nominated for six Oscars, including best picture.

It won three Academy Awards – in the best original score, best costume design and best production design categories.