Chadwick Boseman Dies at 43

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Chadwick Boseman, 43, passed away after a four-year battle with colon cancer, a representative for the actor confirmed to Variety.

"It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman," a statement posted to his Twitter feed reads. “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV [...] It was the honor of his life to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther."

Variety notes that Boseman had never publicly spoken about the diagnosis. According to the statement, he continued to through his treatment, which included chemotherapy and surgeries. The news reveals that he had battled cancer for much of his career, dating back to his role as NAACP lawyer and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, in 2017's Marshall before he starred in Marvel's Black Panther. Boseman recently appeared in Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods.

"This is a crushing blow," Jordan Peele said on Twitter. Issa Rae also commented, writing “This broke me."

Several of his Marvel co-stars and colleagues also posted messages about his passing.

Kamala Harris, who featured in Boseman's last Instagram post, also posted a message.

The Associated Press reports that Boseman was born in South Carolina and graduated from Howard University. Before his role as T'Challa in Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther, he earned roles on television before what the outlet calls his "star turn" in 2013, playing Jackie Robinson opposite Harrison Ford in 42. Boseman is survived by his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, and family.