Chadwick Boseman's Best Performances

The world lost a tremendous actor and a cultural icon after Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing just over a week ago. In tribute to the late actor’s legacy, we have compiled a list of his great performances, in order to celebrate the life of someone who brought so much to the screen.

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“42” (2013)

The film that really kickstarted his huge career. Directed by Brian Helgeland and starring opposite Harrison Ford, Boseman’s portrayal of legendary and trailblazing baseball star Jackie Robinson was one of calmness, solidity, and super-stardom. Carrying himself like someone who had been on the biggest stage a million times before. It was clear this would propel his career to new heights. 

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“Get on Up” (2014)

He followed up his turn as one of sports most notable historical figures with a turn as the Godfather of Soul music James Brown. A performance that elevated the film beyond its script, Boseman oozes talent and charisma in the role, most notably in his iconic scene in which he breaks the fourth wall, which has been shared around a lot on Social Media in the last week. 

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“Marshall” (2017)

Marshall Thurgood was the first attorney for the NAACP. He won 29 of the 32 cases he argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, including the famous Brown v. Board of Education. In fact, in 1967 Thurgood became the first African-American to serve on the Supreme court. A feat that didn't go unnoticed given that 50 years later as we finally got a Hollywood movie about the man. Albeit a tiny glimpse of a key moment in his life. Boseman ("Get On Up," "42") played Thurgood with all the confidence and panache needed to do justice to the legend. Despite the film’s contrivances, Boseman damn-near stole the show.

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“Black Panther” (2018)

From master of the historical figure, his turn as T’Challa made him a front and center cultural icon. Not only did he fight to ensure the character stayed true to his African roots (including insisting the cast speak the native African language of Xhosa) but his performance a the Prince turned King with the weight of a nation on his shoulders is one not only of power and acting prowess, but one that has, and will continue to, inspire future generations of fans, and whose impact on the genre as the first Black person to lead a superhero film will pave the way for more diversity.

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“21 Bridges” (2019)

He does here exactly what he did in both” 42” and “Get on Up”. He elevates the film past its own material. This run of mill cop thriller is kept both entertaining and tension-filled by Boseman’s performance full of gravitas and charisma. He truly was a movie star in all senses of the word. 

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“Da 5 Bloods” (2020)

His performance as “Stormin” Norman in Spike Lee’s character-driven War story on the impact of the Vietnam War, PTSD, and more may be his most powerful. Only used in a supporting role, Boseman’s screen time is limited but his impact is anything but as his worldly speeches, and heart-breaking final scene make both his former squad members on screen and audiences alike hang off his every word.