History of Chadwick Boseman in Timeline
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.
November 29, 1976: Chadwick Boseman's Birth
On November 29, 1976, Chadwick Aaron Boseman was born. He later became a prominent American actor with a career spanning blockbuster and independent films.
1995: High School Graduation and First Play
In 1995, Chadwick Boseman graduated from T. L. Hanna High School, where he played basketball. That year, he also wrote and staged his first play, "Crossroads", after a classmate's death and placed eighth in Original Oratory at the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament.
1998: Oxford Summer Program Attendance
In 1998, Chadwick Boseman attended the Oxford Summer Program of the British American Drama Academy at Balliol College, Oxford, with support from Phylicia Rashad and Denzel Washington. He used this opportunity to develop an appreciation for William Shakespeare and study other dramatists.
2000: Graduation from Howard University
In 2000, Chadwick Boseman graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing, marking a significant milestone in his education.
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.
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.
2006: Jeff Award Nomination for Deep Azure
In 2006, Chadwick Boseman's play "Deep Azure" was nominated for a Jeff Award for Best New Work.
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.
2015: Starts Dating Taylor Simone Ledward
In 2015, Chadwick Boseman began dating singer Taylor Simone Ledward.
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.
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.
2016: Colon Cancer Diagnosis
In 2016, Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer, a condition he kept private while continuing to act.
2016: Diagnosis of stage III colon cancer
In 2016, Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer, which he never spoke about publicly.
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.
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.
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.
October 2019: Engaged to Taylor Simone Ledward
Reportedly, Chadwick Boseman and Taylor Simone Ledward got engaged by October 2019.
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.
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.
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.
June 12, 2020: Da 5 Bloods Released
Da 5 Bloods was released on June 12, 2020. Boseman played the character of Stormin' Norman in the movie.
August 28, 2020: Chadwick Boseman's Death
On August 28, 2020, Chadwick Boseman passed away, marking the end of his impactful career as an American actor.
August 29, 2020: Most-liked tweet in history
On August 29, 2020, the day after Chadwick Boseman's death, the tweet announcing his death became the most-liked tweet in history, accumulating over six million likes in under 24 hours.
September 4, 2020: Public memorial service in Anderson, South Carolina
On September 4, 2020, a public memorial service was held for Chadwick Boseman in Anderson, South Carolina. Speakers included Boseman's childhood pastor and Deanna Brown-Thomas. The city announced plans for a permanent art memorial.
September 24, 2020: Unveiling of "King Chad" Mural
On September 24, 2020, Disney unveiled a mural titled "King Chad" by artist Nikkolas Smith, dedicated to Chadwick Boseman at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California.
November 29, 2020: Marvel changed the studio's logo animation in the opening of Black Panther on Disney+
On November 29, 2020, Marvel changed the studio's logo animation in the opening of Black Panther on Disney+ to include images of Chadwick Boseman from the film, as well as his appearances in Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, to honor what would have been Boseman's 44th birthday.
2020: Progression to stage IV colon cancer
By 2020, Chadwick Boseman's colon cancer, initially diagnosed in 2016, had progressed to stage IV.
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.
2020: Time's 10 Best Movie Performances of 2020
In 2020, Time included Chadwick Boseman on their list of the 10 Best Movie Performances of 2020, for both Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
2020: Tributes and Honorings After Death
In 2020, after Chadwick Boseman's passing, Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the NBA honored him, highlighting his portrayal of Jackie Robinson. Lewis Hamilton dedicated his Belgian Grand Prix qualifying lap and race win to Boseman.
2020: Posthumous Awards and Nomination
In 2020, for his final film role in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", Chadwick Boseman received the Golden Globe and SAG Awards for Best Actor and a posthumous nomination for the Academy Award in the same category. He also passed away from colon cancer in 2020.
2020: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Released Posthumously
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, co-starring Chadwick Boseman, was released in 2020 after the actor's death. Boseman played the role of trumpeter Levee. His performance was highly praised, with critics calling it an astonishing and revelatory performance.
February 2021: Mural painted at Trilith Studios
In February 2021, another mural dedicated to Chadwick Boseman was painted at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, Georgia, by artist Brandon Sadler.
April 2021: Anthony Hopkins' tribute at the Academy Awards
Following his Best Actor win at the Academy Awards in April 2021, Anthony Hopkins paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman, acknowledging his untimely passing.
May 26, 2021: Howard University Renames Fine Arts College in His Honor
On May 26, 2021, Howard University, Chadwick Boseman's alma mater, renamed its College of Fine Arts in honor of Boseman.
2021: Posthumous Emmy Award
In 2021, Chadwick Boseman posthumously won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his final performance as Black Panther in the Disney+ anthology series "What If...?"
2021: Voices Black Panther in What If...?
In 2021, Chadwick Boseman voiced alternate versions of T'Challa in the Disney+ animated series What If...?
2021: Marvel's decision on X-Men
In 2021, Marvel and Beau DeMayo made the decision not to feature T'Challa due to concerns about featuring T'Challa so soon after Chadwick Boseman's death
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.
2022: Posthumously Wins Emmy Award
In 2022, Chadwick Boseman posthumously won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for the What If...? episode What If... T'Challa Became a Star-Lord? at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.
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.
March 19, 2024: School District Renames Performing Arts Center
On March 19, 2024, the Anderson School District Five Board of Trustees renamed the performing arts center at Southwood Academy of the Arts in Chadwick Boseman's honor.
March 20, 2024: X-Men '97 Premieres with T'Chaka Instead of T'Challa
On March 20, 2024, X-Men '97 premiered on Disney+ featuring T'Chaka instead of T'Challa as Black Panther due to concerns about featuring T'Challa so soon after Chadwick Boseman's death. The showrunner Beau DeMayo stated that when developing the show's first season in early 2021, he and Marvel Studios felt it was too soon to feature T'Challa so they chose to "put humanity before continuity" by featuring T'Chaka instead.
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