US actor Chadwick Boseman, renowned for playing Black Panther in the hit Marvel superhero franchise, has died of cancer, his family had revealed.
The actor, who has been suffering from a stage III colon cancer since his diagnosis in 2016, was eventually conquered by stage IV colon cancer.
The 43-year-old died at home in Los Angeles with his family by his side. The actor who undergone chemotherapy session while shooting the blockbuster movie Black panther never revealed his health predicament.
His family said in the statement, “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much.”
Boseman first attained stardom playing real-life figures – baseball great Jackie Robinson in 2013’s 42, and musician James Brown in 2014’s Get on Up.
However, it would be as the titular Black Panther in the blockbuster 2018 film he will be best remembered for.
Boseman stars as the ruler of Wakanda, a fictitious African nation with the most advanced technology on earth.
Boseman said last year that the film had changed what it means to be “young, gifted and black”.
Black Panther was the maiden superhero film to be nominated for best picture at the Oscars.
He also played the same role in other Marvel films Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
The news of his death came as a shock to his enthusiasts as Boseman never discussed his 2016 diagnosis publicly.
However, fans started raising concerns over his health this year due to noticeable weight loss.
The Message from the king star will be dearly missed, Wakanda forever.