Chadwick Boseman rose to fame with his portrayal of iconic black figures such as Jackie Robinson, James Brown, and Thurgood Marshall. However, it was his role as the titular character in Marvel’s Black Panther that skyrocketed him to the status of a cultural icon. Throughout his career, Boseman fought for representation of black stories and voices in Hollywood.
Born in South Carolina in 1976, Boseman initially pursued a career in directing. It wasn’t until he moved to New York City and began studying acting that he found his true calling. After several small TV roles, he landed the role of Jackie Robinson in the biopic 42. The role showcased Boseman’s talent for portraying real-life historical figures with depth and nuance.
He went on to play James Brown in Get On Up and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall, cementing his reputation as a skilled biographical actor. However, Boseman didn’t want to be limited to playing real-life figures. He wanted to create new heroes for the big screen.
In 2018, Boseman starred in Black Panther, the first Marvel film with a black superhero as the lead. The film broke box office records and received critical acclaim for its celebration of African culture and themes of black empowerment.
Boseman wasn’t just an actor in Black Panther- he was a driving force behind its creation. He pushed for the film to feature a predominantly black cast and crew, and insisted that the characters speak with authentic African accents. He also visited children with terminal illnesses and encouraged them to “be their own superheroes.”
Boseman’s impact on Hollywood was felt beyond his acting roles. He used his platform to advocate for increased representation of diverse voices in the entertainment industry. In 2019, he called out the lack of diversity in the film industry in his acceptance speech at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. He urged audiences to support stories “where the hero doesn’t look like you… so that when you’re in-powered, they can be too.”
Boseman passed away in 2020 following a private battle with cancer. However, his legacy as a champion for representation in Hollywood lives on. He inspired countless actors and filmmakers to push for diversity and inclusion in their work, and proved that black stories and voices can be both powerful and profitable on the big screen.
