Chadwick Boseman was an American actor who achieved significant success in his 20-year career. He received numerous awards including two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe, a Primetime Emmy, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Chadwick Aaron Boseman was born on November 29, 1976.
Chadwick Boseman graduated from T. L. Hanna High School in 1995. In his junior year, he wrote his first play, Crossroads, and staged it at the school.
In 1998, Chadwick Boseman attended the Oxford Summer Program of the British American Drama Academy at Balliol College, Oxford.
Chadwick Boseman was named a Drama League Directing Fellow in 2000.
In 2000, Chadwick Boseman graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing.
Chadwick Boseman's play Hieroglyphic Graffiti was produced at the National Black Theatre Festival in 2001.
Chadwick Boseman rose to prominence as a playwright and stage actor in 2002, performing in multiple productions and winning an AUDELCO award for his part in Ron Milner's Urban Transitions. He also gave a one-man show called 'Red Clay and Carved Concrete' at the 2002 Hip-Hop Theatre Festival.
Chadwick Boseman worked as the drama instructor in the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem starting in 2002.
In 2003, Chadwick Boseman landed his first television role on an episode of 'Third Watch'. He was then cast as Reggie Montgomery in 'All My Children', but was fired after raising concerns about racist stereotypes in the script. His future 'Black Panther' co-star Michael B. Jordan took over the role. Boseman's other early TV appearances included roles in 'Law & Order', 'Cold Case', 'CSI: NY', and 'ER'.
In 2004, Chadwick Boseman's most renowned play, 'Deep Azure,' was commissioned by the Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago. The play, addressing police brutality—a daring topic in 2004—was largely delivered in rhyme and later workshopped at the Apollo Theater in New York.
In 2005, Chadwick Boseman received a Jeff Award nomination for his play Deep Azure.
'Deep Azure' was nominated for a 2006 Jeff Award for Best New Work, solidifying its significance in the theatrical world. The nomination highlighted Boseman's talent as a playwright and his ability to tackle challenging social issues.
In 2007, Boseman wrote, directed, and produced the short film 'Blood Over a Broken Pawn'. The film earned recognition at the 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival, demonstrating his diverse talents in filmmaking.
In 2008, Boseman relocated to Los Angeles to pursue his film and acting career. He secured a recurring role in the television series 'Lincoln Heights' as Nathaniel Ray Taylor, an army veteran with PTSD. He also made his feature film debut in 'The Express: The Ernie Davis Story' as running back Floyd Little.
In 2008, Boseman adapted 'Deep Azure' into a screenplay. The move was prompted by the interest of actors Tessa Thompson and Omari Hardwick in the lead roles, leading to Boseman's relocation to Los Angeles to pursue film and acting opportunities.
Chadwick Boseman's work as the drama instructor in the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program ended in 2009.
Chadwick Boseman landed his first major role as a series regular on the NBC drama Persons Unknown in 2010.
In 2010, Boseman landed his first regular role in the television series 'Persons Unknown' as Marine Graham McNair. Despite the show receiving mediocre reviews, the role provided him with valuable experience and exposure.
In July 2013, Boseman's second short film as director, 'Heaven,' premiered at the HollyShorts Film Festival. This event marked another milestone in his filmmaking career.
Chadwick Boseman's breakthrough role came in 2013 when he portrayed baseball player Jackie Robinson in the film 42.
In 2013, Boseman participated in workshops for the Tupac Shakur jukebox musical 'Holler If Ya Hear Me'. However, he chose to take on the role of James Brown in 'Get on Up' and did not continue with the musical's Broadway production.
In 2013, Boseman's breakthrough role came with the film '42', portraying baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Despite considering giving up acting to pursue directing full-time, director Brian Helgeland cast him for his powerful audition. Boseman underwent rigorous training to embody Robinson, impressing even Robinson's widow, Rachel, with his performance. He also starred in the independent film 'The Kill Hole' the same year.
In 2013, Chadwick Boseman wrote an essay for the Los Angeles Times about playwright August Wilson and his influence on Boseman's work. Boseman was a fan of Wilson's work, and years later he would star in a film adaptation of Wilson's play, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
In 2014, Boseman starred as James Brown in the biopic 'Get on Up'. Initially hesitant to take on another biopic role after '42', he dedicated himself to embodying Brown's singing and dancing, working extensively with choreographer Aakomon Jones and receiving guidance from producer Mick Jagger on interacting with live music audiences. His performance received praise from those who knew Brown personally.
In 2014, Chadwick Boseman starred as singer James Brown in the film Get on Up.
Chadwick Boseman began dating singer Taylor Simone Ledward in 2015.
Chadwick Boseman first appeared as the Marvel Comics superhero Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2016.
Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016.
Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016. He kept his diagnosis private and continued to work on several films while undergoing treatment.
Chadwick Boseman starred as Thurgood Marshall in the film Marshall in 2017.
In 2017, Chadwick Boseman starred as Thurgood Marshall in the biographical film "Marshall," which premiered at Howard University, where both Boseman and Marshall had attended. The film focuses on one of Marshall's early cases before he became the first African American Supreme Court Justice.
In 2018, Chadwick Boseman delivered a powerful commencement address at Howard University, reflecting on his early career challenges and advocating for social justice. He shared his experience of being fired from 'All My Children' for voicing concerns about racist stereotypes, emphasizing the importance of standing up for one's beliefs.
In 2018, the eponymous Black Panther film starring Chadwick Boseman earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, and a spot in the Time 100.
Prior to the 2018 midterm elections, Chadwick Boseman used his platform to encourage voter participation. He urged his Twitter followers to use resources like VoteRiders to ensure eligible voters could cast their ballots.
Chadwick Boseman and singer Taylor Simone Ledward reportedly got engaged in October 2019. The couple had been dating since 2015.
Chadwick Boseman made his final film appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2019.
In 2019, Chadwick Boseman starred in and produced the action thriller film "21 Bridges." He collaborated with the Russo brothers, directors of "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Endgame." Boseman advocated for diverse casting and donated part of his salary to secure Sienna Miller as his co-star.
In 2019, Chadwick Boseman was announced as part of the cast for Spike Lee's "Da 5 Bloods" and George C. Wolfe's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." These roles allowed him to work with acclaimed directors Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, as well as perform in an August Wilson play.
In April 2020, Chadwick Boseman donated $4.2 million in personal protective equipment to hospitals fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Black communities. He also launched the Operation 42 challenge to encourage others to donate PPE.
Spike Lee's "Da 5 Bloods," featuring Chadwick Boseman as Stormin' Norman, was released on June 12, 2020. Boseman's performance received mixed reviews, with some critics praising his charisma and presence, while others found his characterization underdeveloped.
Chadwick Boseman passed away on August 28, 2020.
On August 29, 2020, the tweet announcing Chadwick Boseman's death on his Twitter account became the most-liked tweet in history. The news of his passing had a significant impact, drawing comparisons to other unexpected celebrity deaths in 2020.
On September 4, 2020, a public memorial service was held for Chadwick Boseman in his hometown of Anderson, South Carolina. Speakers included Boseman's childhood pastor and Deanna Brown-Thomas, daughter of James Brown, whom Boseman portrayed in the film Get on Up.
On September 24, 2020, Disney unveiled a mural by Nikkolas Smith titled "King Chad", dedicated to Chadwick Boseman at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California.
On November 29, 2020, Marvel changed its logo animation in the opening of Black Panther on Disney+ to include images of Chadwick Boseman, honoring him on what would have been his 44th birthday.
In 2020, Chadwick Boseman's performances in "Da 5 Bloods" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" earned him critical acclaim and a place on Time's list of the 10 Best Movie Performances of 2020. He received posthumous award nominations for his role in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."
Chadwick Boseman continued to act until his death in 2020 from colon cancer. His final film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, was released posthumously to critical acclaim, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama, and four nominations at the 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards, including a win for Male Actor in a Leading Role.
By 2020, Chadwick Boseman's colon cancer had progressed to stage IV. Despite the severity of his condition, he continued to work and keep his diagnosis private.
In 2020, the film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, featuring Chadwick Boseman as trumpeter Levee, was released posthumously. The role was challenging but exciting for Boseman, and his performance received critical acclaim.
In 2020, Ryan Coogler, director of Black Panther, shared his condolences and revealed he had been writing the sequel with Chadwick Boseman in mind. Marvel Studios confirmed T'Challa wouldn't be recast.
In 2020, Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and various publications honored Chadwick Boseman for his portrayal of Jackie Robinson, noting his death coincided with Jackie Robinson Day. The NBA, Lewis Hamilton, and others also paid tribute.
In February 2021, a mural dedicated to Chadwick Boseman was painted at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, Georgia, by artist Brandon Sadler.
After winning Best Actor at the Academy Awards in April 2021, Anthony Hopkins paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman, acknowledging his talent and untimely passing.
On May 26, 2021, Chadwick Boseman's alma mater, Howard University, renamed its College of Fine Arts in his honor.
In 2021, Chadwick Boseman posthumously earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his role in the Disney+ anthology series What If...?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, released in 2022, served as a tribute to Chadwick Boseman. The film depicted T'Challa's death and Wakanda's grieving process, with Shuri eventually becoming the new Black Panther. The end credits included a dedication to Boseman.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the sequel to Black Panther, was released in 2022.
In 2022, Chadwick Boseman posthumously won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for his work on the animated Marvel series What If...?
In 2024, the Anderson School District Five Board of Trustees, the school district Boseman attended, renamed the performing arts center at Southwood Academy of the Arts in his honor.