Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Chadwick Boseman

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Chadwick Boseman made an impact.

Chadwick Aaron Boseman was a celebrated American actor known for his impactful performances in both large-scale and independent films. His two-decade career was marked by significant acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and an Academy Award nomination. He left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

2000: Drama League Directing Fellow

In 2000, Chadwick Boseman was named a Drama League Directing Fellow, an early recognition of his talent in directing.

2001: Hieroglyphic Graffiti at National Black Theatre Festival

In 2001, Chadwick Boseman's play "Hieroglyphic Graffiti" was produced at the National Black Theatre Festival.

2002: Drama Instructor at Schomburg

In 2002, Chadwick Boseman started working as the drama instructor in the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program, housed at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem.

2002: AUDELCO Award and Theater Festival

In 2002, Chadwick Boseman won an AUDELCO award for his part in Ron Milner's "Urban Transitions" and performed in multiple productions. He gave a one-man show called "Red Clay and Carved Concrete" at the Hip-Hop Theatre Festival. His play "Hieroglyphic Graffiti" was also picked up by the New York Hip-Hop Theatre Festival and Tennessee State University's summer stock theatre program in 2002.

2003: Television Debut and Departure from All My Children

In 2003, Chadwick Boseman was cast in an episode of "Third Watch", marking his television debut. He also began playing Reggie Montgomery in "All My Children" but was later fired after raising concerns about racist stereotypes in the script. Michael B. Jordan replaced him in the role.

Loading Video...

2004: Deep Azure Commission

In 2004, Chadwick Boseman's best-known play, "Deep Azure", was commissioned by the Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago.

2005: Jeff Award Nomination for Deep Azure

In 2005, Chadwick Boseman received a Jeff Award nomination for his play "Deep Azure". He had previously won a Drama League Directing Fellowship and an acting AUDELCO.

2007: Short Film Production

In 2007, Chadwick Boseman directed, wrote, and produced the short film "Blood Over a Broken Pawn".

2008: Move to Los Angeles and Roles in Lincoln Heights and The Express

In 2008, Chadwick Boseman moved to Los Angeles to pursue his film and acting career. He was cast in a recurring role on "Lincoln Heights" and appeared in his first feature film, "The Express: The Ernie Davis Story".

2008: Move to Los Angeles and Screenplay Adaptation

In 2008, Chadwick Boseman turned his play "Deep Azure" into a screenplay and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his film and acting career. His short film, Blood Over a Broken Pawn was also honored at the Hollywood Black Film Festival that year.

2009: End of Schomburg Program Role

In 2009, Chadwick Boseman concluded his role as the drama instructor in the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program, which he had held since 2002.

2010: Major Role in Persons Unknown

In 2010, Chadwick Boseman landed his first major role as a series regular on the NBC drama "Persons Unknown", marking his transition to screen acting.

July 2013: Premiere of Heaven

In July 2013, Chadwick Boseman's second short film as director, "Heaven", premiered at the HollyShorts Film Festival.

2013: Breakthrough Role in 42

In 2013, Chadwick Boseman had his breakthrough role as baseball player Jackie Robinson in the film "42", launching him into wider recognition.

2013: Starring in 42

In 2013, Chadwick Boseman starred in "42", portraying Jackie Robinson, which became his breakthrough role. The same year, he also starred in the independent film "The Kill Hole".

2013: Workshop for Holler If Ya Hear Me

In 2013, Chadwick Boseman workshopped the Tupac Shakur jukebox musical "Holler If Ya Hear Me", but did not continue to Broadway in order to take the role of James Brown in the movie "Get on Up".

2013: Wrote essay for Los Angeles Times

In 2013, Chadwick Boseman wrote an essay for the Los Angeles Times about August Wilson and his inspiration on Boseman's own work.

2014: Screenplay Sale to Universal Pictures

In 2014, Chadwick Boseman sold a thriller screenplay to Universal Pictures and planned to star in it, but acting became his main focus.

2014: Starring in Get on Up

In 2014, Chadwick Boseman starred as singer James Brown in the film "Get on Up", continuing his portrayal of historical figures.

2014: Starring in Draft Day and Get on Up

In 2014, Chadwick Boseman starred in "Draft Day" as Vontae Mack and in "Get on Up" as James Brown. He sang and danced in the role of James Brown and worked extensively with a choreographer to prepare for the role.

2016: First Appearance as Black Panther

In 2016, Chadwick Boseman began playing the Marvel Comics superhero Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), achieving international fame.

2016: Begins Portraying Black Panther in the MCU

In 2016, Chadwick Boseman began portraying T'Challa / Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Captain America: Civil War being his first film in a five-picture deal with Marvel Entertainment. Boseman learned some Xhosa from John Kani and developed a Wakandan accent for the role.

Loading Video...

2016: Role in Gods of Egypt

In 2016, Chadwick Boseman starred as Thoth in "Gods of Egypt". He accepted the role partly to ensure an African character was played by someone of African descent, addressing criticism about the predominantly white cast.

2017: Portrays Thurgood Marshall in Marshall

In 2017, Chadwick Boseman portrayed Thurgood Marshall in the biographical film Marshall, which focuses on one of Marshall's early cases. Boseman researched Marshall extensively for the role. The film premiered at Howard University.

2018: Howard University Commencement Address

In 2018, Chadwick Boseman delivered the commencement address to Howard University, reflecting on his experience of being fired from "All My Children" due to concerns over racist stereotypes.

2018: Black Panther in Avengers: Infinity War

In 2018, Chadwick Boseman reprised his role as Black Panther in Avengers: Infinity War, which was filmed at the same time as Black Panther. The film was the highest grossing film of the year.

Loading Video...

2018: Stars in Black Panther

In 2018, Chadwick Boseman starred in Black Panther, a film focused on his character and Wakanda. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning Boseman a spot on the 2018 Time 100 list and becoming the first superhero film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

Loading Video...

2018: Urging followers to support VoteRiders

Prior to the 2018 midterm elections, Chadwick Boseman urged his Twitter followers to visit VoteRiders online or call the organization's helpline to ensure eligible voters had the ID needed to cast a ballot.

2019: Final MCU Film Appearance

In 2019, Chadwick Boseman made one of his final appearances as Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

2019: Black Panther in Avengers: Endgame

In 2019, Chadwick Boseman reprised his role as Black Panther in Avengers: Endgame. The film became the highest-grossing film of all time.

Loading Video...

2019: Stars in and Produces 21 Bridges

In 2019, Chadwick Boseman starred in and produced 21 Bridges as an NYPD detective. He encouraged amendments to the film's original concept and also donated part of his salary to ensure Sienna Miller's participation. He also personally called Stephan James to ask him to play one of the criminals.

2019: Cast in Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

In 2019, Chadwick Boseman was cast in the Netflix films Da 5 Bloods, directed by Spike Lee, and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by George C. Wolfe. He also was cast in a film telling the story of Yasuke, the only non-Asian samurai and the first black man in Japan, which he was set to co-produce.

Loading Video...

April 2020: Donation of PPE to hospitals fighting COVID-19

In April 2020, Chadwick Boseman donated $4.2 million in personal protective equipment to hospitals fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Black communities, starting his own Operation 42 challenge to encourage others to donate PPE.

2020: Ryan Coogler's tribute and Feige's confirmation

In 2020, Ryan Coogler offered condolences and said he had been preparing for Boseman's role in the Black Panther sequel. Kevin Feige confirmed that the role of T'Challa would not be recast.

2021: Voices Black Panther in What If...?

In 2021, Chadwick Boseman voiced alternate versions of T'Challa in the Disney+ animated series What If...?

Loading Video...

2022: Release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

In 2022, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever depicted T'Challa's death and Wakandans processing their grief. The film was dedicated to Chadwick Boseman, and T'Challa's sister Shuri succeeded him as Black Panther.

Loading Video...

2022: Unreleased Black Panther sequel

In 2022, Ryan Coogler, the director of Black Panther and its 2022 sequel, offered condolences to Boseman's family and said that he had spent the last year preparing for the sequel.

Loading Video...