'Strong isn't even the word': Tributes flow for Chadwick Boseman, dead at 43

News of the actor's fight against colon cancer has shocked the world. Photo / Instagram

"Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman has died after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

He was only 43.

Expressions of shock and despair poured in late Friday from fellow actors, athletes, musicians, Hollywood titans, fans and politicians. Viola Davis, who acted alongside Boseman in "Get On Up" and the upcoming Wilson adaptation, said: "Chadwick.....no words to express my devastation of losing you. Your talent, your spirit, your heart, your authenticity."

pic.twitter.com/aZ2JzDf5ai

— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020

Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel movies, had not spoken publicly about his diagnosis, which made news of his death all the more shocking for fans and those who followed his career.

"He was a gentle soul and a brilliant artist, who will stay with us for eternity through his iconic performances," said Denzel Washington, who funded a scholarship Boseman used to study theatre at Oxford and produced the upcoming Wilson film.

New Zealand writer, director and actor Taika Waititi wrote: "Devastating news. We lost a great one. Takoto mai rā e Āriki."

Disney executive chairman Bob Iger called Boseman "an extraordinary talent, and one of the most gentle and giving souls I have ever met."

"Captain America" actor Chris Evans called Boseman "a true original. He was a deeply committed and constantly curious artist. He had so much amazing work still left to create."

Devastating news. We lost a great one. Takoto mai rā e Āriki. #chadwickboseman

— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) August 29, 2020

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tweeted that Boseman "inspired generations and showed them they can be anything they want — even super heroes." Boseman's final tweet was an image of himself and US Sen. Kamala Harris, celebrating her selection as Biden's running mate.

Oprah Winfrey took to Twitter shortly after news broke to post a heartfelt tribute to the Black Panther star.

'What a gentle gifted SOUL. Showing us all that Greatness in between surgeries and chemo. The courage, the strength, the Power it takes to do that. This is what Dignity looks like,' wrote the 66-year-old media mogul.

What a gentle gifted SOUL. Showing us all that Greatness in between surgeries and chemo. The courage, the strength, the Power it takes to do that. This is what Dignity looks like. https://t.co/U3OOnJVS42

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) August 29, 2020

Such a brutal loss. RIP, Chadwick.

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 29, 2020

All I have to say is the tragedies amassing this year have only been made more profound by the loss of #ChadwickBoseman. What a man, and what an immense talent. Brother, you were one of the all time greats and your greatness was only beginning. Lord love ya. Rest in power, King.

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 29, 2020

i will miss you, birthday brother. you were always light and love to me. my god ... ✌🏿♥️✊🏿 🙅🏿‍♂️ forever and ever ... https://t.co/9pORaKZuQN pic.twitter.com/awX3DiTVwn

— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) August 29, 2020

Chadwick was really out here shooting all of these huge action movies while fighting stage 4 colon cancer. Man. Strong isn’t even the word.

— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) August 29, 2020

THANK YOU @chadwickboseman for all you gave us. We needed it & will always cherish it! A talented & giving artist & brother who will be sorely missed🙏🏿 RIP

— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 29, 2020

View this post on Instagram

Gonna miss you mate. Absolutely heartbreaking. One of the kindest most genuine people I’ve met. Sending love and support to all the family xo RIP @chadwickboseman

A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) on Aug 28, 2020 at 8:40pm PDT

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all my aloha and condolences to his ohana. i’m truly gutted. what a wonderful spirit. i’m so sorry RIP REPOST FROM : @chadwickboseman It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman.⁣ ⁣ Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV. ⁣ ⁣ A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much. 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. ⁣ ⁣ He died in his home, with his wife and family by his side. ⁣ ⁣ The family thanks you for your love and prayers, and asks that you continue to respect their privacy during this difficult time. ⁣ ⁣ Photo Credit: @samjonespictures

A post shared by Jason Momoa (@prideofgypsies) on Aug 28, 2020 at 7:55pm PDT

All I have to say is the tragedies amassing this year have only been made more profound by the loss of #ChadwickBoseman. What a man, and what an immense talent. Brother, you were one of the all time greats and your greatness was only beginning. Lord love ya. Rest in power, King.

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) August 29, 2020

The true power of @ChadwickBoseman was bigger than anything we saw on screen. From the Black Panther to Jackie Robinson, he inspired generations and showed them they can be anything they want — even super heroes. Jill and I are praying for his loved ones at this difficult time.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 29, 2020

What a loss. And he must have been filming Black Panther while undergoing treatment, which is unfathomable. https://t.co/b3dTK3g2nz

— Erika Hall (@mulegirl) August 29, 2020

Chadwick Boseman, your legacy will live on forever through the talent you shared with us in films like ‘Black Panther’ and ‘42’. You will NEVER be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/8c0AQ6c64T

— Ronald Isley (@yoyotrav) August 29, 2020

I keep thinking about my 3-year-old in his Black Panther costume. How he wore it almost every day when he got it, refused to take it off. The way he walked around saying “I’m the Black Panther.” How happy it made him. What Chadwick gave us was immeasurable. What an enormous loss.

— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) August 29, 2020

Wakanda forever. May Allah rest King @chadwickboseman. pic.twitter.com/7Bw8hrIoAP

— Blair Amadeus Imani (@BlairImani) August 29, 2020

Chadwick Boseman always showed up with dignity and grace when he was telling our stories - whether as Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, or the King of Wakanda. Never forget how small minds on twitter tried to shame him earlier this year for looking sick. We better than that fam pic.twitter.com/0hBlGCo5Cp

— Patrick Gaspard (@patrickgaspard) August 29, 2020

A giant has left us today. Sending my prayers to his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/FoopEsL1Sa

— Danielle Brooks (@thedanieb) August 29, 2020

I hate this year so much....
Rest in power king💔🖤✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/fUMCrlxgjJ

— PC🚫⚖️ (@PhillyvsTheWrld) August 29, 2020

To be young, gifted, and black. pic.twitter.com/Y8KRkadsVv

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 29, 2020

Won’t ever forget going to see Black Panther in a packed screening in Harlem full of kids saying his lines before he did. #RIPChadwickBoseman pic.twitter.com/6bLIEFPNMv

— Toa Fraser (@toafraser) August 29, 2020

I remember earlier in the year when we saw that he was really skinny people try to say he’s just a naturally skinny guy and now we know y 😢 Rest In Peace to a King @chadwickboseman #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/9Srbh6gEMC

— Ryan Jones (@iamrj7k) August 29, 2020

i don’t tweet about how much i love Marvel but i’m so heartbroken over this. he was such an amazingly talented man who didn’t let his sickness stop him from his success. he was a beautiful soul and may he rest in peace. #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/MMYerhNiYV

— 💟lexie\🧜🏼‍♀️\lex💟 (@SpaceBaby4Life) August 29, 2020

Oh no. Chadwick Boseman 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 😔

— Olivia Munn (@oliviamunn) August 29, 2020

Chadwick Boseman brought history to life on the silver screen, from Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Thurgood Marshall.

As Black Panther, he was also a superhero to many.

And despite his 4 year long battle with cancer, he kept fighting and he kept inspiring. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/f0Tc8ByaXj

— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) August 29, 2020

RIP 😞 pic.twitter.com/Lz0ASI4QfV

— Jamie 😷’Grady (@JamieOGrady) August 29, 2020

Boseman died at his home in the Los Angeles area with his wife and family by his side, his publicist Nicki Fioravante told The Associated Press.