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TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF ANDERSON NATIVE CHADWICK BOSEMAN, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened by the death of Chadwick Boseman, originally of Anderson County, on August 28, 2020, at the age of forty-three; and
Whereas, Chadwick Boseman, son of Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, was born on November 29, 1976, and raised in the city of Anderson. He graduated from T. L. Hanna High School in 1995, and from Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Directing. He went on to graduate from the British American Drama Academy in Oxford; and
Whereas, initially his creative passions were inclined toward writing and directing, which were the focus of his early education. Before he graduated high school he explored his interest in theater and wrote a play based upon the shooting of a classmate. As he described in an interview with Vanity Fair in 2013, his career as an actor began as an attempt to study other actors, so he could better understand and relate to them. He later graduated from New York City's Digital Film Academy and was the drama instructor in the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program housed at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem; and
Whereas, he landed his first television role in 2003, obtaining a part in an episode of "Third Watch." He also found bit-parts in "ER" and "CSI: New York," as well as parts in other well known series, before getting recurring roles on "Lincoln Heights" and "Persons Unknown." As he began to find success as an actor, he continued his work as a playwright with his script "Deep Azure," which was performed at the Congo Square Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois. The work was nominated for a 2006 Joseph Jefferson Award for New Work; and
Whereas, he secured his first starring role in 2013, where he played the leading role of baseball player, Jackie Robinson, in the 2013 film "42." Praised for his work by Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson, his performance was evocative and praised widely. As his career progressed, Chadwick starred as other important historical figures as well. In 2014, he portrayed James Brown in the film "Get on Up," and in the 2017 film "Marshall," he took on the role of powerhouse civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall, who went on to become the first African American justice on the U.S. Supreme Court; and
Whereas, most notably, in 2016, Boseman made his debut as T'Challa, or T'Challa's alter-ego Black Panther, in the film "Captain America: Civil War." The former being just the first of a series of appearances in Marvel films, in 2018 he once again appeared in the character's feature film "Black Panther." The film, which was an unambiguous critical and commercial success, was the first superhero movie to be nominated for a best picture Oscar, and won three Oscars for music, costumes, and production design. It also won a Screen Actors Guild Award for best acting ensemble and is one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Each of these awards and the praise that follows is due in large part to its exemplary cast and its poignant messages; and
Whereas, Mr. Boseman leaves to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy, his wife Taylor Simone Ledward, his parents, Leroy and Carolyn Boseman, his two brothers, and a host of family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Anderson native Chadwick Boseman, celebrate his life and achievements, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Chadwick Boseman.
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