Chadwick Aaron Boseman was an American actor and playwright, born on November 29, 1976. Boseman was best known for his legendary role as Prince T’Challa, also known as the African superhero Black Panther, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, his career goes back to 1993, spans over two decades, and covers everything from film and television to writing for theater and even directing. Boseman was a talented actor who left us way too soon. He is loved and missed every day. Join us to celebrate his birthday and revisit his huge impact.
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Chadwick Aaron Boseman
Nickname:
Chad
Birth date:
November 29, 1976
Death date:
August 28, 2020 (age 43)
Zodiac Sign:
Sagittarius
Height:
6' 0"
Net Worth:
$12 million
Background
Chadwick Aaron Boseman was an African-American actor and playwright whose talents and endearing personality won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. He was born on November 29, 1976, in Anderson, South Carolina. Boseman’s mother, Carolyn, was a nurse, while his father, Leroy, worked at a textile factory. He graduated from T.L. Hanna High School in 1995 and attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. Boseman received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing in 2000. While at college, Boseman attended the Oxford Summer Program of the British American Drama Academy at Balliol College, Oxford, with some other classmates. This was in 1998, and their attendance was sponsored by legendary actor Denzel Washington, a friend of his mentor and teacher, Phylicia Rashad. He also took a course in film at the Digital Film Academy in New York.
Boseman received recognition as a director and playwright in his early career, and he got his first television role in an episode of “Third Watch” in 2003. The same year, he played Reggie Montgomery in the soap opera “All My Children.” Other of Boseman’s earliest works include “Law & Order,” “E.R.,” and “Cold Case.” After several more plays, including “Deep Azure,” his best-known one, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film. He got a recurring role in the T.V. series “Lincoln Heights” (2008). By 2010, Boseman landed his first regular role in “Persons Unknown.” In 2013, he received his breakthrough role as Jackie Robinson in “42.” Boseman’s career took off from there. He starred in “Draft Day” and “Get on Up” (2014), which got him a myriad of positive reviews. He then starred as Thoth in “Gods of Egypt” (2016). The same year, Boseman began playing prince T’Challa, also known as Black Panther, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His first film as the character was “Captain America: Civil War.” By 2018, he starred in “Black Panther,” a film that brought him international recognition and critical acclaim. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, making it the first superhero film to achieve said nomination. Boseman reprised his role as Black Panther for “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019).
Boseman appeared in many more films, including “Da 5 Bloods” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” which earned him a Golden Globe Best Actor Award and a spot on “Time” magazine’s 10 Best Movie Performances of 2020. The talented actor achieved enviable career status, and his personal life was behind the scenes. He was engaged to Taylor Simone in 2019, and they later married in secret. On August 28, 2020, news of Boseman’s death shook the world. He had been diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and it progressed to stage IV in 2019. Before his death, Boseman had gone through several surgeries and chemotherapy. He gave this world something intangible, something immortal, and his game-changing legacy will forever remain.
Career timeline
Boseman gets cast in an episode of “Third Watch.”
Boseman plays Nathaniel Ray Taylor in “Lincoln Heights.”
Boseman gets cast in “42” as baseball legend Jackie Robinson.
Boseman plays Thurgood Marshall in his biographical film.
Boseman is cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Boseman leaves behind an unforgettable legacy.
Why We Love Chadwick Boseman
He was talented
Boseman had exceptional talents and bodied every role he received despite the genre. His acting skills displayed range.
He was a philanthropist
Boseman contributed to multiple charities. He donated $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem and advocated for charities with the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Boseman also donated $4.2 million in personal protective equipment for hospitals in 2020.
He displayed humility
Boseman had a great heart, which was evident in his interactions with his fans. He was very down-to-earth and loving.
5 Surprising Facts
He practiced martial arts
Boseman took martial arts classes in his youth and adulthood.
He wrote in high school
Boseman created his first play, “Crossroads,” in junior high.
He had no will
Boseman had no will at the time of his death, and California laws govern his estate.
He received an honorary doctorate
Boseman received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from his alma mater, Howard University.
No one knew he was sick
Besides his wife and a handful of non-family members, barely anyone knew Boseman was sick.
Chadwick Boseman FAQs
What were Chadwick Boseman’s last words?
Boseman told his brother, “man, I’m in the fourth quarter, and I need you to get me out of the game,” before passing the following day.
What did Denzel Washington say about Chadwick Boseman's death?
Washington said, “He was a gentle soul and a brilliant artist who will stay with us for eternity through his iconic performances over his short yet illustrious career. God bless Chadwick Boseman.”
When was Chadwick Boseman’s funeral?
It was held on September 3, 2020.
Chadwick Boseman’s birthday dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | November 29 | Saturday |
2026 | November 29 | Sunday |
2027 | November 29 | Monday |
2028 | November 29 | Wednesday |
2029 | November 29 | Thursday |