Chadwick Boseman Dead at 43, Marvel Family and Celebrity Fans React

"Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman is dead after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43.

The news was confirmed via a statement on the actor's social media pages. The actor, who played Jackie Robinson in the movie "42," passed away on Jackie Robinson Day.

"It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman," began the statement.⁣ "Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV."

"A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much," it continued. "From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and several more, all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy."

"It was the honor of his career to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther. ⁣He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side. The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time."

In his last social media post, Boseman celebrated Kamala Harris' Vice Presidential nom, urging his followers to vote.

Harris reacted to his death on Friday evening, tweeting, "Heartbroken. My friend and fellow Bison Chadwick Boseman was brilliant, kind, learned, and humble. He left too early but his life made a difference. Sending my sincere condolences to his family."

Added Joe Biden, "The true power of @ChadwickBoseman was bigger than anything we saw on screen. From the Black Panther to Jackie Robinson, he inspired generations and showed them they can be anything they want — even super heroes. Jill and I are praying for his loved ones at this difficult time."

As soon as the heartbreaking news broke, more of the actor's costars, friends and celebrity fans all took to social media to share their tributes to the late star.

In the Marvel family, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Don Cheadle, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, "Guardians of the Galaxy" stars Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista, "Black Panther" costar Sterling K. Brown, Mark Ruffalo, Zoe Saldana, Sebastian Stan, Brie Larson and all shared their tributes.

"Mr. Boseman leveled the playing field while fighting for his life... That's heroism..." wrote Downey Jr. "I'll remember the good times, the laughter, and the way he changed the game... #chadwickforever"

"I'm absolutely devastated. This is beyond heartbreaking," tweeted Evans. "Chadwick was special. A true original. He was a deeply committed and constantly curious artist. He had so much amazing work still left to create. I'm endlessly grateful for our friendship. Rest in power, King"

"I don't have words. Rest In Peace, Bruh," wrote Brown. "Thank you for all you did while you were here. Thank you for being a friend. You are loved. You will be missed."

"Gonna miss you mate," wrote Hemsworth. "Absolutely heartbreaking. One of the kindest most genuine people I’ve met. Sending love and support to all the family."

"This is such devastating news. We're praying for his family," wrote Pratt. "The world has lost an immeasurable talent and a great person."

"All I have to say is the tragedies amassing this year have only been made more profound by the loss of #ChadwickBoseman," wrote Ruffalo. "What a man, and what an immense talent. Brother, you were one of the all time greats and your greatness was only beginning. Lord love ya. Rest in power, King."

"i will miss you, birthday brother. you were always light and love to me," wrote Cheadle.

Added Larson, "Chadwick was someone who radiated power and peace. Who stood for so much more than himself. Who took the time to really see how you were doing and gave words of encouragement when you felt unsure. I'm honored to have the memories I have. The conversations, the laughter. My heart is with you and your family. You will be missed and never forgotten. Rest in power and peace my friend."

"Rest in Power King T'Challa," wrote Saldana. "My heart is so heavy right now. Your passing has hit me hard. I will tell my sons about you forever. You were one of the classiest men I have ever met in my life. It was an honor to have shared minutes with you on screen and to have crossed paths with you during press. Though our acquaintance was light you always left a lasting impression because of your energy, poise and gentle manner. May the Universe deliver you to your promise land brother."

Josh Brolin added, "I am absolutely floored. Such an amazing, beautiful person."

Holland shared a photo of Boseman visiting a young girl in the hospital. "Chadwick, you were even more of a hero off screen than on," he captioned the post. "A role model not only to me on set, but to millions of others around the world. You brought joy and happiness to so many and I’m proud to have been able to call you a friend. RIP Chadwick"

"Today is beyond devastating to comprehend. Just shock and pain...I was in awe of Chadwick, as an actor, in his commitment to the work and as a human," wrote Stan. "I looked up to him. The way he carried himself, how thoughtful and mindful he was, how generous...he elevated everyone around him. None of it makes sense to me. There was so much more coming from this man. It’s such a loss. Such a shame."

Marvel stars Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Gwyneth Paltrow also posted.

"THANK YOU @chadwickboseman for all you gave us," said Jackson. "We needed it & will always cherish it! A talented & giving artist & brother who will be sorely missed. RIP"

"Chadwick is an inspiration, a warrior with a big kind heart that I'll never forget," wrote Renner. "I'm so deeply heartbroken by his passing. Sending love to the Boseman family ... R.I.P."

Paltrow added, "I was lucky enough to spend some time with @chadwickboseman on the set of The Avengers. I was so struck by his presence. He was the embodiment of the modern man; strong, intelligent, graceful, self-possessed. I am deeply sad to hear of his passing this morning. What a beautiful legacy he created in such a short life."

Marvel head Kevin Feige released a statement saying, "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 as 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 Russo Brothers, Anthony and Joe Russo, who directed Boseman in "Captain America: Civil War," "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Avengers: Endgame" posted two behind-the-scenes photos of the actor in his Black Panther suit.

"Chadwick was such an elegant man with great integrity and tremendous talent," the Russo Brothers wrote alongside the pics. "He inspired an entire generation to stand up and be king. Honor him by emulating him-show kindness and love to others. Share your talents in ways that impact. Always strive to be a light in the darkness."

Walt Disney Studios, Marvel and the Black Panther account all shared the same message, writing: "Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with Chadwick Boseman’s family. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest In Peace."

"What a gentle gifted SOUL," tweeted Oprah Winfrey. "Showing us all that Greatness in between surgeries and chemo. The courage, the strength, the Power it takes to do that. This is what Dignity looks like."

"In power," tweeted director Barry Jenkins, "Eternally in power" -- while Jordan Peele said Boseman's death was "a crushing blow."

"So completely devastating hearing about the death of @chadwickboseman at 43 due to colon cancer," wrote Al Roker. "His performances were empowering and honest. From Jackie Robinson to Thurgood Marshall to Black Panther, he inspired so many. #restinpeace #restinpower"

"Such a brutal loss," wrote Ryan Reynolds. "RIP, Chadwick."

"I am heartbroken. Truly heartbroken. This makes no sense.None of this makes sense," tweeted Yvette Nicole Brown. "NOTHING THIS YEAR MAKES ANY SENSE!!!!!!!!!! DAMMIT!"

She added, "To hear that @chadwickboseman valiantly fought cancer for four years, FOUGHT to live to see another day and some selfish people in this nation won't even #WearAMask to possibly save another or themselves?!"

"Here's to an incredible man with immeasurable talent, who leaned all the way into life regardless of his personal battle behind the scenes," wrote Halle Berry. "May we take this as a reminder that you never truly know what the people around you might be going through - treat them with kindness and cherish every minute you have together. RIP"

Wrote Jamie Foxx, "Please Jesus please... I know you know what's best... but at this moment our hearts are writhing with so much pain... so to lose this beautiful black king renders me weak...please watch over his family and loved ones.... @chadwickboseman you have touched the lives of all of us... u will forever be remembered in the highest regard... REST IN POWER! our black king! Our black panther!"

"F*ck this yr," added Jurnee Smollett. "He was battling stage 4 cancer while being our superhero. & to think people made fun of him for the weight loss. The tongue is a powerful weapon. Be wise in how you use it. Hoping he never doubted his royalty. Praying for his family  Long live the king #ripchadwick"

"CANCEL EVERYTHING.  MY GODDDDDDDDD," wrote Janelle Monae.

"Chadwick.....no words to express my devastation of losing you," tweeted Viola Davis, his costar in the upcoming Netflix film "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." She added, "Your talent, your spirit, your heart, your authenticity ... It was an honor working beside you, getting to know you....Rest well prince...May flights of angels sing thee to thy heavenly rest. I love you!"

"Heartbreaking," tweeted Gabourey Sidibe. "The loss of Chadwick Boseman life and light. The 4 year battle in secret. It’s all heartbreaking. Just heartbreaking."

"Insecure" star Issa Rae posted, "What the f--k is happening? My God," following it up with another post reading, "This broke me."

"This brother right here. Wow. No words. This life," tweeted "Westworld" star Jeffrey Wright. Added Jake Tapper, "I just heard that Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer. Such horrible news. He was such an incredibly talented actor and lovely person. He played Jackie Robinson in '42' and we hear this horrible news on Jackie Robinson day. So awful. Life is short. Be kind."

Former President Barack Obama also paid tribute, reposting a throwback photo Boseman had posted of the two together.

"Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson," Obama wrote. "You could tell right away that he was blessed. To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain – what a use of his years."

Michelle Obama also posted, writing, "Only Chadwick could embody Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, and T'Challa. He, too, knew what it meant to persevere. To summon real strength. And he belongs right there with them as a hero -- for Black kids and for all our kids. There's no better gift to give our world."

"Heartbroken for his family and friends. Heartsick for the roles we'll never get to see him play," tweeted Lin-Manuel Miranda. "Grateful for every moment we had with him on screen. What a legacy, what a light."

"man. speechless," tweeted Mike Colter. "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"

Zachary Levi shared his tribute on Instagram, writing, "I didn’t know him as well as I wish I could have, but every interaction we shared was full of kindness, depth, and warmth. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they navigate this new and uncharted road ahead. Rest in power #chadwickboseman. Thank you for the light you shared and shined. #wakandaforever"

"We've lost a great one. My heart is truly broken. #ChadwickBoseman," wrote Octavia Spencer, adding a lengthy statement in another post, above. Gabrielle Union said he was "Truly a gentleman superstar on screen and in life. Pure excellence and class and grace."

Kendrick Sampson also posted on Instagram. "You've gotta be f--king kidding me. F--k this f--ked up ass year. Praying for all of your loved ones. Praying for us. Black people - feel what you feel, take care of each other. Hold space for self. For love. For grief," he wrote. "I know - we already were in grieving, this whole f--king year."

"this is too heartbreaking. gone way too soon," wrote The Weeknd. On his page, Jason Momoa posted, "all my aloha and condolences to his ohana. i’m truly gutted. what a wonderful spirit. i’m so sorry RIP."

"I'm so shocked and heartbroken about Chadwick," tweeted John Legend. "He was such a bright light, such a gifted performer.  He brought grace, elegance and power to everything he did.  He always seemed to carry our ancestors with him. And now he joins them far too soon."

Director Ava DuVernay shared a shot from "Black Panther" in which Boseman's character visits his father in the afterlife. "May you have a beautiful return, King," she wrote. "We will miss you so."

Boseman's interest in the field of entertainment began with directing. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing from Howard University in 2000, where one of his teachers was Phylicia Rashad.

He only began studying acting in an effort to better relate to them as a film writer and director. His first foray into that field came in 2003, when he scored a role on the NBC procedural "Third Watch." He got his big break on the big screen portraying Jackie Robinson in the baseball film "42."

At the time, he was directing off-Broadway plays and considering abandoning acting altogether. Instead, he would only find greater and greater success, culminating perhaps with his lead role in Marvel's "Black Panther." The first MCU film with a Black lead, Boseman was an inspiration to fans around the globe, as the film quickly earned $1 billion at the box office and still stands as one of Marvel’s most critically-acclaimed films.

A sequel was greenlit and in development, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production was delayed. Boseman's most recent film, "Da 5 Bloods," was directed by Spike Lee and released to Netflix on June 12, 2020.