Chadwick Boseman Through His Life: Photos of the Late Actor

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November 29, 2025 9:23AM EST

Chadwick Boseman Through His Life: Photos of the Late Actor

FilmMagic

Chadwick would have been 49 years old in 2025. Look back at photos of the late ‘Black Panther’ star here.

Late Black Panther star was born Chadwick Aaron Boseman on November 29, 1976 in South Carolina. After graduating high school in 1995, he went on to pursue a BFA at Howard University.

Chadwick began acting on television in 2003, and landed his first regular series role on Persons Unknown. He moved into film in 2013, playing baseball star Jackie Robinson in the movie 42. He rose to international fame after starring in Marvel’s Black Panther, the first black superhero film in the franchise. The film was an international success, and he later reprised the role of Wakanda leader T’Challa Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Chadwick notably underwent an intensive diet and exercise plan to prepare for the role.

Unfortunately, Chadwick died in August 2020 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43.

In honor of the late actor, we’re looking back at photos from his life in our gallery below.

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Chadwick Boseman’s Portrait

Chadwick Boseman’s Portrait — Chadwick Boseman is seen posing for a portrait in a mustard yellow sweater.

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Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman — Chadwick Boseman
’21 Bridges’ special screening, London, UK – 07 Nov 2019
21 Bridges opens in UK cinemas on 22nd November 2019 Wearing Givenchy

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Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman — BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER, (aka BLACK PANTHER II), Chadwick Boseman (on mural), 2022. © Marvel / © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

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Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman — Chadwick Boseman, Simone Ledward
Build Speaker Series, New York, USA – 20 Nov 2019

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Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman — Chadwick Boseman inside for AOL Build Series Celebrity Candids – WED, AOL Build Series, New York, NY November 20, 2019. Photo By: Steve Mack/Everett Collection

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Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman — 42, (aka FORTY-TWO), Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, 2013. Ph: D. Stevens/©Warner Bros. Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

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Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman — GET ON UP, Chadwick Boseman, as James Brown, 2014. ph: D. Stevens/©Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

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Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman — 21 BRIDGES, (aka TWENTY ONE BRIDGES), Chadwick Boseman, 2019. ph: Matt Kennedy / © STXfilms / courtesy Everett Collection

9 of 27

Chadwick Boseman In ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

Chadwick Boseman In ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ — Chadwick Boseman appears in a still from his 2020 movie, ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.’ He filmed the movie during his cancer battle and it was released on Netflix four months after his death.

10 of 27

Chadwick Boseman Filming ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

Chadwick Boseman Filming ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ — Chadwick Boseman stars as Levee in ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.’ It was the last film Chadwick made before his tragic death in Aug. 2020. He was battling cancer while filming it.

11 of 27

Chadwick Boseman Onstage

Chadwick Boseman Onstage — Chadwick Boseman presents on-stage in a navy silk organza blazer with black polkadots and a black button down blazer. The actor accessorized with silver jewelry and rings.

12 of 27

Chadwick Boseman & Taylor Simone Ledward

Chadwick Boseman & Taylor Simone Ledward — Chadwick Boseman & Taylor Simone Ledward at the ’21 Bridges’ premiere in New York City in Nov. 2019. Ledward looked gorgeous in a blue gown, while Boseman was dapper in a yellow suit jacket.

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Chadwick Boseman & Taylor Simon Ledward In 2019

Chadwick Boseman & Taylor Simon Ledward In 2019 — Chadwick Boseman made a rare appearance with Taylor Simone Ledward in Nov. 2019. They were seen before his appearance on ‘The Tonight Show.’

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Chadwick Boseman on a walk with his dog in CA

Chadwick Boseman on a walk with his dog in CA — Chadwick Boseman was spotted taking his dog for a walk near his LA home on May 15, 2020. He wore baggy clothes after he debuted a slimmer look the month before.

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Chadwick Boseman practices his martial arts

Chadwick Boseman practices his martial arts — While in quarantine in April 2020, the ‘Black Panther’ actor Chadwick Boseman was spotted practicing martial arts, training with a staff outside. At the time, any work on the Marvel movie sequel had been paused.

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Chadwick Boseman shows off dramatic weight-loss while using a walking stick

Chadwick Boseman shows off dramatic weight-loss while using a walking stick — Actor Chadwick Boseman rocks a scarf as a DIY mask while out take a nice walk with his mom to a cafe near his Los Feliz home. Chadwick used a hiking stick during his walk, as he concerned fans with how thin he appeared.

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Chadwick Boseman In ‘Black Panther’

Chadwick Boseman In ‘Black Panther’ — Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, Connie Chiume, Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan are seen in a still from the Black Panther film. In the movie, Chadwick stars as T’Challa – aka – the Black Panther.

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Chadwick Boseman In A Scene From ‘Black Panther’

Chadwick Boseman In A Scene From ‘Black Panther’ — Chadwick Boseman is seen as Wakanda leader T’Challa in Black Panther, which was released in 2018. The actor donned a black costume for the scene as he sat in the fictional African nation’s throne.

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Chadwick Boseman In A Photo Shoot For ‘Black Panther’

Chadwick Boseman In A Photo Shoot For ‘Black Panther’ — Chadwick Boseman dramatically poses in a yellow teddy style jacket for an editorial photoshoot. The actor is best known for his role as Jackie Robinson in 42 and Black Panther.

20 of 27

Chadwick Boseman At Academy Awards 2018

Chadwick Boseman At Academy Awards 2018 — Chadwick Boseman arrives to the 2018 Academy Awards and poses on the red carpet for photographers. The Black Panther star opted for a lengthy black blazer with silver sequin details, black pants and zippered loafers.

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Chadwick Boseman Posing At 2018 Oscars

Chadwick Boseman Posing At 2018 Oscars — Chadwick Boseman poses at the 2018 Oscars, recreating Black Panther and T’Challa’s traditional Wakandian pose. The actor accessorized his black ensemble with a silver and black bracelet.

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Chadwick Boseman At Comic-Con

Chadwick Boseman At Comic-Con — Chadwick Boseman arrives at Comic-Con ahead of a Black Panther fan event and Q&A. The actor opted for a camel turtleneck and gray pinstripe pants.

23 of 27

Chadwick Boseman Smiling At ‘Black Panther’ Event

Chadwick Boseman Smiling At ‘Black Panther’ Event — Chadwick Boseman crosses his arms as he smiles at a Black Panther event in collaboration with Lancome. Chadwick rocked a long plaid blazer jacket, black hoodie, and track pants for the event, along with Nike sneakers.

24 of 27

Chadwick Boseman At Event For ‘GQ’

Chadwick Boseman At Event For ‘GQ’ — Chadwick Boseman is all-smiles as he arrives at a GQ magazine event. The actor was casual in a black sweater and gray t-shirt, along with a black pair of pants.

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Chadwick Boseman At Independent Spirit Awards

Chadwick Boseman At Independent Spirit Awards — Chadwick Boseman poses at the 33rd Annual Independent Spirit Awards, sponsored by AT&T. The actor was chic in a black shirt and dress pants, along with a shiny navy blue blazer with black polka dots.

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Chadwick Boseman Attends ‘Black Panther’ Red Carpet

Chadwick Boseman Attends ‘Black Panther’ Red Carpet — Chadwick Boseman is seen candidly posing at Black Panther event co-hosted by luxury car company Lexus. The actor rocked a black silk overcoat with a gold print over top for the occasion.

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Chadwick Boseman In The Movie ‘Marshall’

Chadwick Boseman In The Movie ‘Marshall’ — Josh Gad, Chadwick Boseman, and Sterling K. Brown are seen in a still from the 2017 film Marshall. Chadwick is center in the image, wearing a navy blue suit and printed tie.

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