The late great Chadwick Boseman would have turned 47 today. The talented actor was taken far too soon in 2020, a difficult year for all of us for a multitude of reasons. Let’s take a look back at the life and career of Chadwick Boseman, in honor of his birthday.
Star Of Stage
Chadwick Aaron Boseman was born in 1976. He is originally from South Carolina. He would attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. He would graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing. He would later attend the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England. He would appear in a number of stage productions where he would shine thanks to his talent and training.
Star Of Screen
The actor would next move on to television and film. He would start humbly, appearing in guest spots on well known TV shows. His big break in film would come with the film, The Express. The biography film focused on running back Ernie Davis, who played football for Syracuse University during the civil rights era. Boseman played running back Floyd Little.
Jackie Robinson
The Express would kick off Boseman’s string of appearances in important films centered on iconic African American figures. His first major starring role would come when he was cast as Jackie Robinson in 42. Taking on the role of the legendary baseball player, and delivering a wonderful performance, allowed him to become an in demand performer in Hollywood. Boseman researched the life of Robinson and worked hard to portray the athlete accurately. All his work paid off, the film was a hit and Boseman was now a star.
Superhero Stardom
Boseman would take on another high profile project when he would play James Brown in the film, Get On Up. Boseman would again play an iconic and trailblazing African American figure. He received positive reviews for his performance. In 2016, Boseman would join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Black Panther. The role would define his career and change the way people look at superhero characters forever. Boseman would appear in Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. He would also receive his own film, Black Panther, which would break box office records.
Gone Too Soon
Boseman passed away on August 28, 2020. He fought a long and private battle with colon cancer. The actor has left behind an impressive filmography and will be remembered forever for his diverse roles and ability to portray a multitude of characters with grace.
- Adam C. Better
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