If anything has become clear in the days following Chadwick Boseman’s tragic death from colon cancer, it’s that the actor was a hero both on and off camera.
In a recent interview with People, “Black Panther” producer Nate Moore recalled his final interaction with Boseman, as the two texted about working for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. And despite the difficulties of the pandemic, Boseman was determined to bring joy to sick children.
Moore explained that the two were trying to get a young boy a voice note from T’Challa, Boseman’s “Black Panther” character, and a package of toys.
“No easy feat when we weren’t allowed to leave our homes or go to the office,” Moore told People, adding that Boseman figured out how to make it happen because “he cared so intently, and in hindsight, so personally.”
Moore shared his final text from Boseman, in which the actor insisted on coming through for the child:
It broke me, man. But we need to do that for them. People deserve abundant life, special moments. They’ve been through hell battling disease. If we were able to ease their suffering and bring joy for a moment, and hopefully moments has he goes through the bags, then we made a difference in his life.
And though it might seem now that Boseman cared so much because he too was battling a disease, Moore doesn’t think that was the reason the actor was so determined.
“I think that’s just who he was as a man. A leader and a caregiver first, who accomplished both of those things as a performer and as a regular person,” Moore said.
Like Moore, actor Josh Gad also recently paid tribute to Boseman by sharing a final text exchange, in which Boseman poetically urged people to “take advantage of every moment we can.”
“He knew how precious every moment was. Tonight the Heavens received one of its most powerful angels,” Gad wrote.