Actor Chadwick Boseman will be remembered by many for his on-screen portrayal of Black Panther, a fictional comic book hero who played a crucial role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But he also played some of the most groundbreaking figures of the 20th century: Jackie Robinson. James Brown. Thurgood Marshall.

Boseman died Friday, August 28, at the age of 43. He had been battling colon cancer since 2016, according to a statement posted on his Twitter account.

Boseman's breakout role came in 2013, when he played baseball legend Jackie Robinson in the film "42."
Boseman's breakout role came in 2013, when he played baseball legend Jackie Robinson in the film "42."
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Boseman embraces Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel, after the Los Angeles premiere of "42."
Boseman embraces Jackie Robinson's widow, Rachel, after the Los Angeles premiere of "42."
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Boseman greets film director Spike Lee at an NBA game in New York in 2013.
Boseman greets film director Spike Lee at an NBA game in New York in 2013.
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Boseman is interviewed on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" soon after "42" hit theaters.
Boseman is interviewed on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" soon after "42" hit theaters.
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Boseman laughs with baseball star Matt Kemp after throwing out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game in 2013.
Boseman laughs with baseball star Matt Kemp after throwing out the first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game in 2013.
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Boseman plays iconic singer James Brown in the 2014 biopic "Get on Up."
Boseman plays iconic singer James Brown in the 2014 biopic "Get on Up."
Universal Pictures
In 2017's "Marshall," Boseman portrayed Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice on the US Supreme Court.
In 2017's "Marshall," Boseman portrayed Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice on the US Supreme Court.
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Boseman poses with comic book author Stan Lee, who co-created many of the Marvel superheroes that have come to life on the big screen.
Boseman poses with comic book author Stan Lee, who co-created many of the Marvel superheroes that have come to life on the big screen.
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Boseman starred in a number of Marvel films as Black Panther, king of the fictional nation of Wakanda. The character got its own film in 2018.
Boseman starred in a number of Marvel films as Black Panther, king of the fictional nation of Wakanda. The character got its own film in 2018.
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The role of Black Panther/King T'Challa was the "honor of (Boseman's) career," said a statement from his publicist, Nicki Fioravante.
The role of Black Panther/King T'Challa was the "honor of (Boseman's) career," said a statement from his publicist, Nicki Fioravante.
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Boseman attends the European premiere of "Black Panther" in London.
Boseman attends the European premiere of "Black Panther" in London.
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While competing in the 2018 NBA Dunk Contest, Victor Oladipo wears a Black Panther mask and does the "Wakanda Forever" salute with Boseman, who was sitting courtside.
While competing in the 2018 NBA Dunk Contest, Victor Oladipo wears a Black Panther mask and does the "Wakanda Forever" salute with Boseman, who was sitting courtside.
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Boseman surprises a fan on "The Tonight Show" in 2018.
Boseman surprises a fan on "The Tonight Show" in 2018.
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Boseman, as Black Panther, does the "Wakanda Forever" salute in "Avengers: Infinity War."
Boseman, as Black Panther, does the "Wakanda Forever" salute in "Avengers: Infinity War."
Marvel Studios/Disney
Boseman is awarded an honorary degree as he <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F05%2F14%2Fentertainment%2Fchadwick-boseman-howard-commencement-speech-trnd%2F" target="_blank">gives a graduation speech</a> at Howard University in Washington, DC. Boseman got his bachelor's degree from Howard in 2000.
Boseman is awarded an honorary degree as he gives a graduation speech at Howard University in Washington, DC. Boseman got his bachelor's degree from Howard in 2000.
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Boseman walks through the crowd after receiving an award at the MTV Movie and TV Awards in 2018.
Boseman walks through the crowd after receiving an award at the MTV Movie and TV Awards in 2018.
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP
Boseman is joined on stage at the Golden Globes with three of his "Black Panther" co-stars: from left, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong'o and Michael B. Jordan.
Boseman is joined on stage at the Golden Globes with three of his "Black Panther" co-stars: from left, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong'o and Michael B. Jordan.
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From left, Jordan, Boseman and Angela Bassett attend the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2019. The "Black Panther" cast won the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture.
From left, Jordan, Boseman and Angela Bassett attend the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2019. The "Black Panther" cast won the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture.
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Boseman poses with Lady Gaga backstage after she had just won an Oscar in 2019.
Boseman poses with Lady Gaga backstage after she had just won an Oscar in 2019.
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Boseman and his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, attend the NBA All-Star Game in February 2020.
Boseman and his wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, attend the NBA All-Star Game in February 2020.
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Boseman, center, plays a Vietnam War soldier in "Da 5 Bloods," a Spike Lee film released in June 2020.
Boseman, center, plays a Vietnam War soldier in "Da 5 Bloods," a Spike Lee film released in June 2020.
Netflix