Though his career and life ended prematurely, his family remembers the impact he made
Chadwick Boseman is missed by millions but his family feels the pain like no one else can imagine.
Boseman’s two older brothers spoke to The New York Times about the actor’s legacy and what Chad, as they affectionally called him, meant to them.
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“Chad was gifted,” said his brother, Pastor Derrick Boseman, 54, who said when his youngest sibling was a child, he could sit and draw anyone. “He’s probably the most gifted person I’ve ever met.”
Boseman passed away from cancer in August at just 43 years old. He was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016 and still went on to play the lead in one of the biggest films in history, Black Panther. The actor also played legacy characters like James Brown in Get On Up, Jackie Robinson in 42, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall.
His last movie role in will be in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom debuting on Netflix Dec. 18.
Read More: Parents struggle to tell kids that ‘Black Panther’ actor passed away
“A lot of people think making it means becoming an A-list movie star,” said his other brother, Kevin Boseman, 48. “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.”
Boseman, who hailed from Anderson, S.C, was raised in the church along with his brothers by his parents Leroy and Carolyn in a large, God-fearing, close-knit family. He was always interested in the arts. Kevin was a dancer for Alvin Alley and other dance troupes, inspiring his younger brother who eventually started to pursue theater. Chadwick was initially interested in writing and directing but it was his Howard University professors that encouraged him to act.
Thinking back on his brother’s work ethic, Kevin said, ”His best was incredible.”
Pastor Bosman was praying with his brother in his final days. Chadwick never publicly revealed he was sick, just continued on with his career while keeping up a pace that would have challenged someone 100% healthy.
His brother said he was praying for Chad to get better until he said something that changed his focus.
“Man, I’m in the fourth quarter, and I need you to get me out of the game,” Chadwick told his oldest brother.
Read More: First look at Chadwick Boseman in final film ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
“When he told me that, I changed my prayer from, ‘God heal him, God save him,’ to ‘God, let your will be done,’” said Pastor Boseman. “And the next day he passed away.”
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