Il nous avait fait frissonner dans Black Panther et Da 5 Bloods, Chadwick Boseman a été emporté par un cancer du colon à l’âge de 43 ans.
Né en 1976 en Caroline du Sud aux États-Unis d’une fratrie de 3 enfants, il était le fils de Leroy, travailleur d’une usine de textile et de Carolyn, infirmière.
En 2000, il décroche un Bachelor en beaux-arts à Howard et est diplômé de la British American Drama Academy à Oxford, programme qui a été financé par l’acteur Denzel Washington, via l’actrice et chanteuse Phylicia Rashād, professeur de Chadwick Boseman à Howard.
Il étudiera le théâtre et obtiendra son diplôme à la Digital Film Academy de New York.
Il a commencé sa carrière d’acteur en 2003 dans un soap opera, La Force du Destin. Puis, il enchaina les petits rôles dans New York 911, Les Experts Manhattan, Urgences, Cold Case, Lie To Me ou Fringe.
Ce n’est qu’en 2013 et 2014 qu’il se fait réellement connaître, à travers 42, où il campait le sportif Jackie Robinson et Get On Up, où il incarna James Brown.
En 2016, on le voit pour la première fois sous les traits de Black Panther dans le film Captain America – Civil War, réalisé par Anthony et Joe Russo. Il rejoint donc l’univers cinématographique Marvel (MCU), qu’il ne quittera plus.
Petit aparté en 2017, où Fabrice Du Welz le prend dans son film Message From The King aux côtés de Luke Evans et Alfred Molina.
Puis, il y aura le film solo Black Panther, suivi de Avengers – Infinity War, tous deux sortis en 2018. Avengers – Endgame clôturera cette phase du MCU en 2019.
Black Panther remporta de nombreuses récompenses dans de nombreux événement, dont le BET Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards et le NAACP Image Awards.
Cette même année sortira Manhattan Lockdown, où il a été également producteur, puis cet été, Da 5 Bloods de Spike Lee a été mis en ligne sur la plateforme Netflix, où il y campe un vétéran de la guerre du Viêt Nam aux côtés de Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Norm Lewis et Clarke Peters.
Il avait terminé au moins 2 films : Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom avec Viola Davis et Colman Domingo. Et Yasuke, biopic d’un esclave africain qui est devenu samouraï au 16ème siècle.
Le cancer du colon l’avait frappé en 2016, mais l’acteur ne l’avait jamais dit publiquement et alternait productions cinématographiques et opérations et chimiothérapies.
Les réactions sont très nombreuses sur Twitter suite à sa disparition.
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020
For showing us how to conquer adversity with grace…
For showing us how to "Say it Loud!"…
For show us how to walk as a King, without losing the common touch….
For showing us just how powerful we are…
Thank you #ChadwickBoseman #RestInPower #BlackPantherForever pic.twitter.com/1caXoClnhc
— NAACP (@NAACP) August 29, 2020
An immeasurable loss. From "Black Panther" to "Da 5 Bloods," Chadwick Boseman brought strength and light to the screen, every time. pic.twitter.com/vRXxYU8Tbr
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) August 29, 2020
Our hearts are broken and our thoughts are with Chadwick Boseman’s family. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/DyibBLoBxz
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/brielarson/status/1299543020497440771
I’m absolutely devastated. This is beyond heartbreaking.
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💙 pic.twitter.com/oBERXlw66Z
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) August 29, 2020
All I have to say is the tragedies amassing this year have only been made more profound by the loss of #ChadwickBoseman. 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.
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 29, 2020
i will miss you, birthday brother. you were always light and love to me. my god … ✌🏿♥️✊🏿 🙅🏿♂️ forever and ever … https://t.co/9pORaKZuQN pic.twitter.com/awX3DiTVwn
— Don "but not forgotten" Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 29, 2020
THANK YOU @chadwickboseman for all you gave us. We needed it & will always cherish it! A talented & giving artist & brother who will be sorely missed🙏🏿 RIP
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 29, 2020
I’m gonna have to tell Cy, Bowie and Zen that T’Challa has passed. What other king can I tell them about now? pic.twitter.com/AFEFxJOFd5
— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) August 29, 2020
My prayers go out to Chadwick’s family and loved ones. The world will miss his tremendous talent. God rest his soul. #wakandaforever https://t.co/j5JWSeiqd5
— chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) August 29, 2020
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.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 29, 2020
This is a crushing blow.
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) August 29, 2020
I have absolutely no words.
Rest in power my brother.— Simu Liu (刘思慕) (@SimuLiu) August 29, 2020
We are all heartbroken by the tragic loss of #chadwickboseman — an extraordinary talent, and one of the most gentle and giving souls I have ever met. He brought enormous strength, dignity and depth to his groundbreaking role of Black Panther; shattering myths and stereotypes,
— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) August 29, 2020
Hard to hear about this.
Rest in love, brother.
Thank you for shining your light and sharing your talent with the world. My love and strength to your family. https://t.co/hNAWav7Cq8— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 29, 2020
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….Rest well prince…May flights of angels sing thee to thy heavenly rest. I love you! 💛💛💛 pic.twitter.com/6abglPBOsh
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) August 29, 2020
Breaking my twitter silence to share some beauty. This was one of my final texts from the brilliant & once-in-lifetime talent, @chadwickboseman – take this in & celebrate life. He knew how precious every moment was. Tonight the Heavens received one of its most powerful angels. pic.twitter.com/Hj8Cb1IfZS
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 29, 2020
I’m floored by this news, Chadwick was one of the best and I really enjoyed watching him work. RIP https://t.co/N9HtKuuMIg
— Ice Cube (@icecube) August 29, 2020
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.
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) August 29, 2020