The Marquee at the World Famous Apollo Theatre pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman. The actor died of colon cancer on Friday.
Shock, disbelief and sadness are what some New Yorkers say they felt when they first found out.
"I was very depressed about it. I was sad. I love the ‘Black Panther.’ Wakanda forever,” said one person.
The phrase Wakanda Forever is a nod to the groundbreaking film ‘Black Panther.’ Boseman won critical acclaim for his leading role in the Marvel movie that depicted Black Africans as super heroes, Kings and Queens.
Boseman’s ties to the city date back to the early 2000’s, when moved to Brooklyn after college and served as an acting teacher for kids at Harlem’s Schomburg Center.
The late actor and other cast members hosted a talk at the Apollo on the film's cultural impact, one that persists today.
"I didn't realize how much that movie affected me, until I saw how affected I was with his passing. And how symbolic he was in this beautiful movie about black power. And a different look at Africa. It was a beautiful performance,” said another.
Oprah Winfrey, Governor Cuomo and Mayor De Blasio all payed tribute to Boseman. The Democratic nominee for Vice President, Kamala Harris also honored the actor who, like her attended Howard University.
He quietly battled cancer for four years. In that Time, he portrayed prominent black men in other films like Civil War and Marshall.
"He was strong in the sense that he believed in Black people and to represent us. So his death should not be in vain,” said a third person.
When ‘Black Panther’ debuted in 2018, the Magic Johnson Theater and many others across the city quickly sold out their tickets and that went on for weeks.
"I think what was so amazing about him is that no one knew he had this disease and for four years he made all these powerful movies, while enjoying chemotherapy and surgery. And I think it's a really meaningful life,” said a fourth.
Though his life and career was cut short, he left a powerful legacy and movies to inspire generations to come.