Hollywood is mourning the unexpected loss of actor Chadwick Boseman, who died Friday at the age of 43. In a statement posted to Boseman’s social media, the Black Panther star’s family said that he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016 and had filmed his work since then — including Black Panther, Marshall, Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods, and more — while receiving treatment for the illness.
Boseman’s peers in Hollywood have expressed their sorrow at the loss and paid tribute to Boseman on social media. Insecure‘s Issa Rae wrote of Boseman’s passing, “This broke me.” Director Jordan Peele said, “This is a crushing blow.”
This broke me.
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) August 29, 2020
This is a crushing blow.
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) August 29, 2020
This Is Us star Sterling K. Brown wrote of the news, “I don’t have words. Rest In Peace, Bruh. Thank you for all you did while you were here. Thank you for being a friend. You are loved. You will be missed.”
I don’t have words. Rest In Peace, Bruh. Thank you for all you did while you were here. Thank you for being a friend. You are loved. You will be missed. 🤜🏿🤛🏿 https://t.co/8rK4dWmorq
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) August 29, 2020
The MCU’s Luke Cage star Mike Colter wrote, “man. speechless. you were a king on and off screen. it doesn’t seem real. you were like a comet that flew by so fast. you will be missed brother. rest easy.”
man. speechless. you were a king on and off screen. it doesn’t seem real. you were like a comet that flew by so fast. you will be missed brother. rest easy #chadwickboseman 🥺 pic.twitter.com/op0M8Fffml
— Mike Colter (@realmikecolter) August 29, 2020
Director Barry Jenkins wrote simply, “In power. Eternally in power.”
In power
Eternally in power
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) August 29, 2020
Actress Adina Porter added, “Massive loss. Chadwick Boseman played some of the biggest historical icons and originated unforgettable superhero icons. He will truly be missed. Too young. So talented.”
Massive loss. Chadwick Boseman played some of the biggest historical icons and originated unforgettable superhero icons. He will truly be missed. Too young. So talented. #RIP
— Adina Porter (@AdinaPorter) August 29, 2020
Boseman’s alma mater, Howard University, also reacted to the news. “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of alumnus Chadwick Boseman who passed away this evening,” the university said in a statement. “His incredible talent will forever be immortalized through his characters and through his own personal journey from student to superhero! Rest in Power!”
“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of alumnus Chadwick Boseman who passed away this evening. His incredible talent will forever be immortalized through his characters and through his own personal journey from student to superhero! Rest in Power!” @HUPrez17 pic.twitter.com/8TFBTM0tlm
— Howard University (@HowardU) August 29, 2020
Check out more Hollywood tributes to Chadwick Boseman below.
Chadwick Boseman will inspire generations of little kids for generations to come.
His presence ignited a 180° cultural shift, industry wide.
He will be missed. XV pic.twitter.com/Apj1TRJf4V— Crown Vic (@VictoriaMahoney) August 29, 2020
This is devastating. An absolute legend. RIP Chadwick. Thank you for lighting up our lives. All my love to his family and friends. https://t.co/zaZppJgZNK
— Jack Falahee (@RestingPlatypus) August 29, 2020