Hollywood superstar Chad Boseman, was best known for playing ‘Black Panther’ in the hit Marvel superhero franchise after coming to prominence playing real-life figures - baseball great Jackie Robinson in the film ‘42’, and soul singer James Brown in ‘Get on Up’. It will, though, be as the titular ‘Black Panther’ in the blockbuster 2018 film he will be best remembered.
He starred as the ruler of Wakanda, a fictional African nation with the most advanced technology on earth.
As well as winning critical praise and taking more than $1.3 billion (£973m) at cinemas worldwide, the film was widely seen as a cultural milestone for having a largely Black cast and a Black director, Ryan Coogler.
South Carolina-born Boseman said last year that the film changed what it means to be "Young, Gifted and Black".
Black Panther was the first superhero film to get a nomination for best picture at the Oscars.
The news has left fans and the film world stunned. Get Out director Jordan Peele, said it was "a crushing blow".
"A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much," his family said in the statement.
"From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and several more - all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honour of his career to bring King T'Challa to life in Black Panther."
Tributes pouring in for the star, including from actor and fellow Marvel star Mark Ruffalo. Actor Dwayne Johnson tweeted: ‘Thank you for shining your light and sharing your talent with the world.
‘My love and strength to your family’.
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris also posted her tribute to the star.
The hashtag #WakandaForever has been trending since.
Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago but had not made the information public.
He was 43.
