Celebs React To Chadwick Boseman's Heartbreaking Death
In the aftermath of Chadwick Boseman's tragic and untimely death, celebrities are taking to social media to share their grief and condolences.
On Friday, August 28, 2020, Boseman's family confirmed that the actor, who was just 43 years old, lost his battle with stage IV colon cancer. After his diagnosis in 2016, the celebrated performer continued working, and went on to film projects like Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods during his brave fight against the aggressive illness. Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe know Boseman best for his groundbreaking and career-defining performance as King T'Challa, the leader of Wakanda, in Black Panther and the MCU crossover films Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
Boseman's death — which is mourned by fans, critics, and Hollywood elite alike — is as shocking as it is terrible. On Boseman's official Twitter account, his family confirmed the worst possible news: The talented star succumbed to his illness after battling it for four years, and underwent multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy to fight for his life.
Celebrities have taken to Twitter to mourn Boseman and celebrate his too-short career, particularly as the actor lost his fight against cancer just as he became one of the world's biggest stars. Here's how Hollywood is reacting to Chadwick Boseman's utterly heartbreaking death.
Sarah Paulson called Chadwick Boseman a 'gift'
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences itself — which nominated Black Panther for Best Picture and awarded it statues for Costume Design and Best Original Score in 2019 — wrote on Twitter following Boseman's passing, "An immeasurable loss. From Black Panther to Da 5 Bloods, Chadwick Boseman brought strength and light to the screen, every time."
Taking to Twitter, Sarah Paulson — Emmy-winning star of American Crime Story, American Horror Story, and the upcoming Ratched — shared, "What a gift he was to all of us out there in the dark- watching him listen was more enrapturing than watching others with endless words to say. What an immeasurable loss. Rest in Power."
Chadwick Boseman showed what a Black superhero was
Moonlight director Barry Jenkins (above) simply wrote, "In power. Eternally in power," while Vice reporter Brian Josephs mused, "Chadwick Boseman is a big reason why our kids don't have to wonder about what a Black superhero is."
Brie Larson and Ryan Reynolds are heartbroken by Chadwick Boseman's loss
Boseman's MCU co-star Brie Larson, who plays Captain Marvel in the superhero franchise, tweeted a single broken heart emoji alongside a photo (above) of her on a red carpet with Boseman. She also wrote, ""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," she shared. "My heart is with you and your family. You will be missed and never forgotten. Rest in power and peace my friend."
Meanwhile, Deadpool himself Ryan Reynolds wrote, "Such a brutal loss. RIP, Chadwick."
Don Cheadle misses his 'birthday brother'
Don Cheadle, another MCU staple, posted a candid photo of himself and Boseman, writing, "i will miss you, birthday brother. you were always light and love to me. my god ... forever and ever ..."
Working with Boseman was the 'highest honor' for Mark Ruffalo
Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo responded to the tweet announcing Boseman's passing as well, saying, "It was the highest honor getting to work with you and getting to know you. What a generous and sincere human being. You believed in the sacred nature of the work and gave your all. Much love to your family. And much love from all of us left here."
Celebrating Chadwick Boseman's legacy
Considering that Boseman's feature film career spanned only about seven years, directors and actors alike are aware that the star had a bright future ahead of him. Director Jordan Peele certainly knew that; on Twitter, the Academy Award-winner wrote, "This is a crushing blow." Peele's Candyman director — and future MCU director — Nia Dacosta seconded his sentiment, writing, "I'll miss waiting to see what he does next. Rest in power."
"Hard to hear about this," Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson tweeted. "Rest in love, brother. Thank you for shining your light and sharing your talent with the world. My love and strength to your family."
Viola Davis, Boseman's co-star in the upcoming film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, expressed her devastation as well, writing, "Chadwick.....no words to express my devastation of losing you. Your talent, your spirit, your heart, your authenticity........It was an honor working beside you, getting to know you."
Josh Gad, who worked with Boseman in 2017's Marshall, broke his self-proclaimed "Twitter silence" to share one of the last texts he ever received from his friend, which turned out to be a beautiful message about appreciating life's beauty — like the California sky after a rainstorm. "This was one of my final texts from the brilliant & once-in-lifetime talent, @chadwickboseman – take this in & celebrate life," wrote Gad. He knew how precious every moment was. Tonight the Heavens received one of its most powerful angels."
Chadwick Boseman was a beacon of strength
Knowing that Boseman was fighting cancer for four years — during which he released several groundbreaking and physically demanding films — makes the news of his death all the more powerful and tragic. As Westworld and future The Batman star Jeffrey Wright acknowledged, "This man was diagnosed in 2016 and yet all of this powerful work!! I'm vibrating between immense joy for him and such sadness. But the sadness takes over. Condolences to his loved ones. He lives in the mythic. Incredible."
Sports journalist Jemele Hill echoed Wright's message, saying, "Chadwick was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago, per reports. During that time, he gave us Civil War, Marshall, Black Panther, Infinity War, Endgame, 21 Bridges and Da 5 Bloods. Lord only knows what he was going through on a daily basis."
Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding followed up as well, tweeting, "My gosh... The strength he had to keep going. Rest in power Chadwick. A huge loss to everyone who was touched by his greatness. Forever will he be immortalised in his brilliant works."
Even icons like Oprah Winfrey expressed their grief and sadness. "What a gentle gifted SOUL," Winfrey wrote. "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."
Hollywood is mourning Chadwick Boseman's death
Several Twitter users also posted about how Boseman consistently visited children's hospitals after his own cancer diagnosis, which he kept private from the world, showing that this star was as magnanimous as he was talented.
Even actors who never worked with Boseman are speaking out about this loss. William Jackson Harper, a recent Emmy nominee for his breakthrough role on The Good Place, wrote on Twitter, "Damn. I never got to meet him, but man do I respect him and his work. He was one of the most inspirational, effective artists of our generation. His work means a lot to me. I looked up to him and I was rooting for him, which he made very easy to do. Such a huge, huge loss." John Boyega, star of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, offered up his own simply tribute as well, with two broken heart emojis.
Finally, Marvel Studios itself weighed in, tweeting, "Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with Chadwick Boseman's family. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest In Peace."
As news of Boseman's death ripples throughout Hollywood, more and more celebrities, including his Marvel co-stars, will certainly share their reactions. Whether you're an A-list star or merely a Marvel enthusiast, it's impossible not to feel the weight of Boseman's untimely death — particularly when you consider that the actor was a historic MCU star who inspired a generation of young people, all while fighting a heroic battle against cancer. Boseman's passing is a difficult and painful loss — not just for Hollywood, but also for fans across the world. His absence will certainly be felt for many, many years to come.