Chadwick Boseman

Biography:

Chadwick Aaron Boseman was born in Anderson, South Carolina, to Carolyn (née Mattress), a nurse, and Leroy Boseman, who worked in a textile mill and ran an upholstery business. Both of his parents were African-American. As a child he trained in martial arts, a practice he continued into adulthood, and initially dreamed of becoming an architect. DNA testing later showed that his ancestry included the Jola of Guinea-Bissau, the Krio and Limba of Sierra Leone, and the Yoruba of Nigeria.

Boseman graduated from T.L. Hanna High School in 1995, where he played basketball and participated in Speech and Debate, placing eighth in Original Oratory at the national tournament. In his junior year, he wrote and staged his first play, Crossroads, in response to the death of a classmate. Although recruited to play college basketball, he chose the arts instead and attended Howard University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing in 2000. While at Howard, he worked at a local African American bookstore, which later influenced his play Hieroglyphic Graffiti.

At Howard, Boseman studied under Al Freeman Jr. and Phylicia Rashad, the latter becoming a mentor. Rashad helped secure financial support—including from Denzel Washington—for Boseman and his classmates to attend the British American Drama Academy’s Oxford Summer Program at Balliol College in 1998. Boseman initially studied acting to better understand performers as a future writer-director. At Oxford, he developed a deep appreciation for Shakespeare and studied dramatists such as Samuel Beckett and Harold Pinter. During college, he also traveled to Ghana to work with professor Mike Malone on theatrical adaptations of African rituals—an experience he called one of the most important of his life. After returning to the U.S., he took further film courses and completed training at the Digital Film Academy in New York City.

Early in his career, Boseman lived in Brooklyn. Named a Drama League Directing Fellow in 2000, he directed works such as George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum and Amiri Baraka’s Dutchman. From 2002 to 2009, he taught drama in the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

By 2002, Boseman was gaining recognition as both a playwright and stage actor. He won an AUDELCO Award for his performance in Ron Milner’s Urban Transitions and appeared with the National Shakespeare Company as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Malcolm in Macbeth. He also wrote and directed plays associated with the Hip-hop theater movement, including Rhyme Deferred (with Kamilah Forbes) and Hieroglyphic Graffiti, both staged widely. At the 2002 Hip-Hop Theatre Festival, he performed a one-man show titled Red Clay and Carved Concrete.

Boseman’s first television appearance was in a 2003 episode of Third Watch. He was then cast in All My Children but was dismissed after raising concerns about racial stereotyping—his role was subsequently given to Michael B. Jordan. He later appeared in Law & Order, Cold Case, CSI: NY, and ER. His 2004 play Deep Azure, addressing police brutality and written largely in rhyme, was nominated for a 2006 Jeff Award and earned praise from critics. A screenplay version of the play led to Boseman securing representation and eventually moving to Los Angeles in 2008. He also wrote, directed, and produced the short film Blood Over a Broken Pawn, honored at the Hollywood Black Film Festival.

After moving to Los Angeles, Boseman appeared in Lincoln Heights as a veteran with PTSD and made his film debut in The Express (2008). In 2010, he had a regular role on the series Persons Unknown. His second directed short film, Heaven, premiered in 2013.

Boseman’s breakout role came in 2013 when he portrayed Jackie Robinson in 42. Initially directing an off-Broadway play, he considered quitting acting before auditioning. Director Brian Helgeland cast him after two auditions, praising his courage in reading the film’s most emotionally demanding scene. Boseman underwent months of baseball training to capture Robinson’s movements. Robinson’s widow, Rachel Robinson, said his portrayal reminded her of her husband.

In 2014, Boseman sold a thriller screenplay to Universal and expressed continued interest in directing. In 2016, he appeared as the god Thoth in Gods of Egypt. He accepted the role to ensure at least one African character was played by an actor of African descent, though the film was widely criticized for whitewashing and for his character fitting the “Magical Negro” trope. His comedic performance as Thoth was noted as a highlight of the film.

Boseman began playing T’Challa / Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2016, debuting in Captain America: Civil War. He did not audition; instead, Marvel discussed the character with him directly. He learned Xhosa from actor John Kani and insisted that T’Challa speak it. Boseman stayed in accent on and off camera throughout production. His portrayal received strong praise.

He reprised the role in Black Panther (2018). The film became a cultural milestone for its predominantly Black cast and director and the first superhero film nominated for Best Picture. Boseman’s performance was widely applauded for its gravitas and dignity. He continued the role in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), the latter becoming the highest-grossing film of all time. He later voiced alternate versions of T’Challa in the animated series What If…?.

In 2017, Boseman portrayed Thurgood Marshall in Marshall. Although unsure about taking the role due to physical differences from the real Marshall, he valued the script’s approach and researched extensively. His performance received positive reviews.

In 2019, he starred in and produced 21 Bridges. Boseman personally advocated for casting changes, sought out Sienna Miller and Stephan James for major roles, and even contributed part of his own salary to meet Miller’s pay request. His preparation included training with police departments and firearms specialists. Critics praised his work despite mixed reviews of the film itself.

Boseman began dating singer Taylor Simone Ledward in 2015; the couple became engaged in 2019 and later married privately. He was raised Christian, sang in a church choir, and remained committed to his faith. He had no children.

In 2016, Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer, which advanced to stage IV by 2020. He kept his illness private, continuing to work while undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy. He completed filming for several major projects during this time, including Marshall, Da 5 Bloods, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Chadwick Boseman passed away at his home in Los Angeles on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43, surrounded by his wife and family. A public memorial was held in Anderson, South Carolina. Plans for a permanent memorial were announced, and despite early reports, he was not buried at Welfare Baptist Church in Belton, according to the funeral home and the church pastor.