2020 has been a hard year for everyone. We do our best to bring magic and happiness to those who visit our site, sadly, the world brings grim news, today is no different.

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman has sadly passed away at the young age of 42, after a secret four year battle with colon cancer. His wife and his family was by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.

“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 honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”’

His passing comes on an already day of mourning, as the actor passed away on Jackie Robinson Day, in which every player in the Major league Baseball wears No. 42. Boseman played the legendary Brooklyn Dodger in the Brian Helgeland-directed drama 42. Boseman was no stranger to playing iconic characters also playing Thurgood Marshall in Marshall, James Brown in Get On Up, and NFL legend Floyd Little in The Express.

Listen I’m a white man, but when Chadwick Boseman was announced to play Black Panther a few years back, it was a monumental announcement not just for comic book and movie fans, but for young black kids of all ages, who had a superhero to look up to, someone they could look up to and say “hey he looks like me, that’s who I want to be.” Even my own five-year-old son wanted to be Black Panther for Halloween, it’s his favorite character in the MCU, so Boseman has made a lasting impact kids and adults all over the world. Boseman knew this and it was an achievement for him on a personal level and that’s an impact that will live on forever.

Survivors also include his brothers Kevin, a dancer and singer, and Derrick, a preacher.

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— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020