20 Chadwick Boseman Quotes That Prove He Was a King On and Off the Screen

Chadwick Boseman quotes to illuminate the life of an intelligent, thoughtful, and talented man. He had wisdom beyond his years, and cancer took him far too soon from his loved ones and his art. The world needs more strong, more caring figures like Boseman. 

Here are some of the 20 best quotes from this incredible man.

Chadwick Boseman Quotes on Building Relationships

Boseman understood that he couldn’t solely build a life around his art of filmmaking. He needed to step back and build deep relationships with those who truly mattered to him. Here are some Chadwick Boseman quotes on how to build lasting, meaningful relationships that last.

“I think you realize how much you need to have people that you love. It’s not as much about them loving you – it’s about you needing to love people.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“I was raised in a sort of village. I have a huge family, and I think there is strength in that. It helped me to deal with some of the complications of living in the South because I always felt like I belonged, no matter what.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“I might have had too many friends in my twenties. I probably said yes too much, and then I had to learn how to say no. How to get away in order to work on stuff.” – Chadwick Boseman

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Chadwick Boseman Quotes on the Filmmaking Industry

Boseman is best known for his role as King T’Challa in Black Panther. But did you know that he wasn’t just an actor? Here are some quotes from the creator on writing, directing, acting, and more.

“I started out as a writer and a director. I started acting because I wanted to know how to relate to the actors. When people ask me what I do, I don’t really say that I’m an actor, because actors often wait for someone to give them roles.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“When it comes down to it, I’d rather have an action figure than a Golden Globe.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“In television, you don’t have a lot of time to spend with the role or the script. Typically you get a script a week prior to shooting. Sometimes it’s even less time, not enough time to dream about the role.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“When you’re doing a character, you want to know the full landscape. You want to know them spiritually, mentally, and physically.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“You’re not free unless you can show the good and the bad, all sides of them. So to me, when I play a character, it’s important that I can show every aspect of them.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“I think there’s a difference between a working actor, a movie star, and a celebrity. They’re all three different things.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“The only difference between a hero and the villain is that the villain chooses to use that power in a way that is selfish and hurts other people.” – Chadwick Boseman

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Chadwick Boseman Quotes on Life

Boseman possessed wisdom beyond his years, and he has plenty of quotes that pinpoint the important parts of life.

“You have to cherish things in a different way when you know the clock is ticking, you are under pressure.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“Savor the taste of your triumphs today, don’t just swallow them all whole without digesting what is actually happening here. Look down over what you conquered and appreciate what God has brought you through.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“In times of crisis, the wise build bridges while the foolish build barriers.” – Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, Black Panther

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“When you are deciding on next steps, next jobs, next careers, further education, you should rather find purpose than a job or a career.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“Sometimes you need to get knocked down before you can really figure out what your fight is and how you need to fight it.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose. As you commence to your paths, press on with pride and press on with purpose.” – Chadwick Boseman

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Chadwick Boseman Quotes on Black History

Boseman played an instrumental role in the positive representation of Black figures in modern media. His work as an insanely popular Black superhero and representing Black historical figures like Thurgood Marshall demonstrates his passion for and understanding of Black history.

“I majored in directing. However, I did spend some time at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, so I am somewhat well-versed in African Studies.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“Some people would view Jackie Robinson as a very safe African-American, a docile figure who had a tendency to try to get along with everyone, and when you look at his history, you learn that he has this fire that allows him to take this punishment but also figure out savvy ways of giving it back.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“Colonialism is the cousin of slavery.” – Chadwick Boseman

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“I certainly wouldn’t be here if it were not for those men that I portrayed, because of what they did in their lives, and the door that it opened for me.” – Chadwick Boseman on playing characters like Thurgood Marshall and Jackie Robinson

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The Most Emotional Chadwick Boseman Quote

In light of his early death, this Chadwick Boseman quote hits hard: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything You gave me’.” While cancer robbed us of years of his incredible art, we have no doubt that he used everything God gave him with his limited time on earth. Even with just his legacy as Black Panther, he gave young black kids a hero that looks just like them. He’s not an actor that will soon be forgotten.