5 times Chadwick Boseman was a real-life superhero

By Milkscope

Happy Birthday, Chadwick! Today the Black Panther icon would have been 44 years old. We honor him by looking back at some of his most inspiring moments:

1. When he gave his movie award to James Shaw Jr

James Shaw Jr disarmed a gunman in a Tennessee Waffle House, preventing a mass shooting.

Chadwick honored Shaw by giving Shaw the award he won for Black Panther at the MTV Movie & TV awards.

2. He always checked in on his friends- even as he secretly battled cancer

Following Boseman's passing, Michel B. Jordan wrote that Boseman really cared about his family, friends, kids and the community. Actor Josh Gad, shared a text he recieved from Boseman during the pandemic. Boseman encouraged him to live in the present and be thankful to God for all the little blessings he had.

3. His Howard Commencement speech

When Boseman returned to his alma mater, he inspired the graduating class of 2018 by speaking on both purpose and struggle. He told them that their purpose, "is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill."

He continued, "Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose."

4. The way he treated his fans

From visiting terminally ill children at St. Judes and exchanging letters with them, to buying a struggling actor plays to work on his craft, Boseman always went above and beyond for his fans. It wasn't uncommon for Boseman to have long, inspiring conversations with fans that spotted him.

5. The Black Panther accent

Boseman fought hard to have Black Panther's accent be of African origins. Even though executives believedan African accent would be too much for audiences, Boseman said, "If I speak with a British accent, what's gonna happen when I go home?" He acknowledged that the decision felt "like a deal-breaker."