People around the world were stunned by the news that Chadwick Boseman had died on August 28. The Black Panther star passed away following four-years of treatment for colon cancer that he kept mostly secret — only a handful of people outside of his inner circle knew he was sick.
Many people paid tribute to Chadwick in the days and weeks that have followed his death. Now, his family members Kevin and Pastor Derrick Boseman have sat down for interviews with The New York Times to share stories about the man they knew and loved.
Kevin is Chadwick's brother, and he says that the family knew the star as Chad. "I have been trying to remember Chad and not Chadwick. And there's just been a lot of Chadwick in the air."
He also spoke about his insistence at treating Chadwick the same way he always had, even as his brother's star rose higher and higher.
"You have to start sharing that person with the world; I always endeavored to just treat him like my brother."
Chadwick had acted for years prior to his legendary performance in the Avengers movies and Black Panther. He experienced a career breakthrough in 2013, when he played Jackie Robinson in 42.
But long before that, Chadwick was born on November 29, 1976, in Anderson, South Carolina. His father, Leroy, worked at a textile factory before managing an upholstery business, and his mother, Carolyn, was a nurse. His brother explained that "Him being born there is an inspiration that you can come from there and become anything."
He continued, "Chad was gifted. He's probably the most gifted person I've ever met."
Chadwick wrote and staged his first play, Crossroads, when he was a junior in high school. He went on to attend college at Howard University, and graduated with a degree in directing.
Leroy explained that he always tried to teach his kids to just do their best, and that Chadwick definitely internalized that lesson in more ways than one.
"A lot of people think making it means becoming an A-list movie star. I didn't force that. I just knew that if Chad wanted to work in the arts, he would find a way and take care of himself."
Kevin added, "He always did his best. His best was incredible."
The family also shares the last conversation they had together before Chadwick died.
"No matter what he was going through, he always said, 'Hallelujah.' He never stopped saying it. When he told me that, I changed my prayer from, 'God heal him, God save him,' to 'God, let your will be done.' And the next day he passed away."
Chadwick was buried at the Welfare Baptist Church Cemetery around 10 miles outside his hometown almost a week after he died in Los Angeles. The town of Anderson is also reportedly working on a permanent monument to honor the actor. The monument will join others that have been erected to memorialize Chadwick.
At the end of September, Disneyland revealed that a new mural had been painted in Downtown Disney in honor of Chadwick. In the piece, Chadwick is shown sharing a Wakanda salute with a young child who is wearing a Black Panther mask. The child is also wearing a hospital gown, which is a nod to the numerous times Chadwick visited children who were sick and/or recovering in hospitals.
The mural was painted by Los Angeles-based artist Nikkolas Smith, who shared that he was incredibly honored to be chosen to memorialize Chadwick.
"To millions of kids, T'Challa was a legend larger than life, and there was no one more worthy to fill those shoes than Chadwick Boseman. I'm so thankful to be able to honor Chadwick's life and purpose in this way."
Nikkolas also wrote the inscription on the mural:
"As a former Disney Imagineer, I had the honor of working on a major children's hospital initiative and Avengers Campus as my final two assignments. Seeing Chadwick's heart for people in-person, and later discovering his courageous battle with cancer, I was inspired to create this tribute to honor his life and legacy. To us, he was and will always be T'Challa. Long Live The King."
Black Panther director Ryan Coogler also shared his own tribute to the late star.
"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. Day after day, year after year. That was who he was. He was an epic firework display. I will tell stories about being there for some of the brilliant sparks till the end of my days. What an incredible mark he's left for us."
