Tributes paid to black star who changed Hollywood

said. “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 honour of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”

The film led to a cultural shift in Hollywood as the first major superhero movie with an African lead and the first to star in a majority black cast.

In Ryan Coogler, it was the first to employ a black writer and director.

The film was the first superhero movie ever nominated by the Academy Awards for best picture, earning six other nominations and winning three.

Biden praised Boseman’s impact, saying his portrayal of Black Panther “inspired generations”.

He said: “The true power of Chadwick Boseman 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 superheroes.”

Kamala Harris, who is Biden’s running mate in this year’s US election, tweeted: “He left too early, but his life made a difference. Sending my sincere condolences to his family.”

Fellow actor Washington called Boseman “a brilliant artist”. He added: “God bless Chadwick Boseman.”

TV chat queen Winfrey added: “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.”