Chadwick Boseman ‘Black Panther’ star dies of cancer at age 43

Chadwick Boseman, the US actor best known for playing Black Panther in the hit Marvel superhero franchise, has died of cancer aged 43 on Friday.

Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.

He was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016, according to his family.

In a statement, his family said, “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much”.

“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.”

His most recent outing was Da 5 Bloods, a drama directed by Spike Lee, playing Norman Earl Holloway, a freedom fighter in the Vietnam war.

Tributes for Chadwick Boseman pour in on social media from fans, followers, and his peers.