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Interviews & Features

Chadwick Boseman: The Black Panther Star Whose Christian Faith & Life Inspired Many

September 2, 2020

Black Panther actor, Chadwick Boseman had died after battling colon cancer since 2016. His Christian faith life is worth more than a peep

The news broke out on the 28th of August that Black Panther actor, Chadwick Boseman had died. Boseman had battled colon cancer since 2016. He passed on at his home with his family and wife by his side, according to a statement posted on his social media.

By all accounts, Chadwick Boseman was a good man at heart and could rarely do any harm to anyone. As an actor, he was relentless in his pursuit of perfection, and determined to keep his character alive in every role. As a man, he was principled, honest, true to his beliefs, and gave God all glory.

Although Boseman will be remembered for his lead role in Black Panther, as well as a string of other characters he portrayed, he will also be remembered for being an inspiration to many, especially people of colour who were able to finally see an hero in a brown skin.

The Black Panther actor chadwick Boseman lived a private life, therefore many did not know he battled cancer. He secretly married his love – no Hollywood excitement or cover stories and spent his days enduring cancer treatment and the ensuing illness, yet with a smile on his face. He was willing to give his all. In fact, he made seven films after his diagnosis, never sharing his pain with his fellow actors. Although, he spoke publicly about the plight of young cancer patients, not once did he mention his.

Chadwick Boseman had narrated the story in a speech praising Denzel Washington last year when Washington was selected to receive the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Boseman’s gratitude focused on how Denzel Washington had unknowingly paid his tuition fee to be able to attend film school.

When Bosman attended Howard University, he was accepted into the British American Drama Academy Midsummer program, a summer he could not afford. His mentor at Howard, Felicia Rashad, of the Cosby show fame, approached her friend Denzel Washington and told him about the need. Washington readily provided the tuition without knowing it was for Boseman. From there, the rest is a string of hit movies such as Black Panther and more.

From the impression he left on a pastor when he was still a youth to his own words at the 2018 commencement of Howard University, his alma mater, Boseman lived a Christian faith life that included service, overcoming stereotypes and a desire to demonstrate strong character.

“After his family released their statement, I realized that he was living with his illness the entire time I knew him,” “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler said in a statement.

“Because he was a caretaker, a leader, and a man of faith, dignity and pride, he shielded his collaborators from his suffering. He lived a beautiful life. And he made great art.”

Tributes and prayers are being offered in his respect all around the world and many her really sad aboutt the news.

While speaking at the 2019 ceremony where Denzel Washington received the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award and where he recalled the role of the famous actor who helped him in his career. Boseman spoke on his Christian faith before many.

“Because fate would have it, I was one of the students that he paid for. An offering from a sage and a king is more than silver and gold. It is a seed of hope, a bud of faith. There is no ‘Black Panther’ without Denzel Washington.”

Also, Howard University commencement address in 2018, he spoke around the faith theme very strongly yet again.

“First, giving honor to the Creator and my ancestors on whose shoulders I stand,” he began.

Boseman had questioned the character of a role he was supposed to play on a soap opera which cost him the job. He had been promised a six-figure salary (“more money than I’d ever seen”) but after questioning the background of his character who “seemed to be wrapped up in assumptions about us as Black folk,” they had to let him go.

He used his own example to tell the graduates to hold on to principles and standards like ones they had learned at the historically Black school.

“Sometimes you need to feel the pain and sting of defeat to activate the real passion and purpose that God predestined inside of you,” he said to applause. “God says in Jeremiah ‘I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

He urged the graduating students to focus on their purpose rather than a specific career or job and to take the harder paths of life.

Recall also that when the movie Black Panther premiered, churches were the first to see it as it held a strong theme of faith, churches such as Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, House on the Rock in Lagos, Nigeria were amongst the first to premiere the movie.