Chadwick Boseman always shined on late-night television

Revisit some of Chadwick Boseman’s best moments on late-night television

Actor Chadwick Boseman passed away at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. The devastating news has led millions to revisit his work and share shining moments in which the actor’s personality and spirit were on display.

Hundreds and thousands of pieces will be written about Chadwick Boseman and deservedly so. His talent was obvious while his cultural impact and influence were both immediate and will not be fully realized for another generation.

In his most popular roles, Boseman played individuals and characters the public already knew. Portraying Jackie Robinson, James Brown, Thurgood Marshall, and Black Panther came with a burden that Boseman understood but accepted, elevating their stories and sharing them with millions of people.

It was in interviews promoting these films where Chadwick Boseman could be himself and let audiences know the man behind these famous characters. Often, late-night television was the best place for Boseman to do that and to connect with fans.

What many fans appreciated about Boseman was the thoughtful approach he had to his roles. This was evident throughout his interviews on Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Boseman clearly knew that playing Black Panther was more than just acting in a superhero movie. His goal, along with that of his co-stars and the filmmakers, was to not only entertain audiences but show something on screen that had never before been seen.

Chadwick Boseman’s sense of humor was on display in late-night TV appearances

Chadwick Boseman took his roles very seriously and often played very serious characters. There wasn’t always room for humor in films like 42 or Marshall. But on late-night television, Boseman’s sense of humor and infectious smile were in the spotlight.

Even Black Panther wasn’t off-limits for Boseman. The Marvel Cinematic Universe can be an easy target for parodies and jokes but Black Panther held a certain cultural significance and reverence that made it feel different than the other MCU movies.

But Boseman proved that there was a time and place for jokes. And that time and place was when he hosted Saturday Night Live on April 7, 2018. Boseman reprised his role as T’Challa for one of SNL’s best sketches of the decade.

The “Wakanda Forever” salute quickly became an iconic gesture thanks to Black Panther. Fans wanted Chadwick Boseman to do it all the time and they wanted to salute the actor right back. It became a symbol of the movie’s popularity and it’s cultural significance. It also became the premise for another excellent sketch featuring Boseman on Saturday Night Live.

Go on YouTube and for search Chadwick Boseman on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and just about every other late-night show to see more fantastic clips of an outstanding actor and an even better person. Boseman deserves to be celebrated for what he did on and off the big screen.

What is your favorite Chadwick Boseman moment from late-night television? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.