Lupita Nyong’o honors Chadwick Boseman’s memory, reflecting on the lasting impact of his passing: ‘Grief is a perpetual journey’

“Reflecting on the life of Chadwick Boseman.” The actress shared heartfelt photos of the actor, who sadly passed away in 2020 at the young age of 43. She captioned the pictures with the word “Forever,” expressing her enduring love and admiration for him.

The actress shared an Instagram tribute to her friend and Black Panther costar on Wednesday, Aug. 28. She first posted a black-and-white solo photo of Boseman, followed by a color snapshot of the two laughing together.

“Grief is a perpetual presence. “But it changes,” Nyong’o, 41, began her caption. “It’s more of a passage than a place to stay. Grief is a natural emotion that does not indicate weakness or a lack of faith. Love comes with a price, as they say.

“Reflecting on the life of Chadwick Boseman.” She added, “Forever.”

Keeping his four-year battle with colon cancer hidden from even his closest colleagues, Boseman’s death left Nyong’o reeling, as she described in a heartfelt Instagram post shared weeks after his passing.

During a recent interview with PEOPLE, Nyong’o opened up about her horror film A Quiet Place: Day One. She shared how her portrayal of a patient with terminal cancer in the movie was deeply influenced by the personal tragedy of losing a friend to the same disease.

“Ultimately, it proved to be quite cathartic as I had recently gone through the profound loss of Chadwick Boseman, a tragedy that deeply affected me,” she shared in June. “I gave that a great deal of thought.”

“It is crucial to be mindful of our mortality as it prompts us to live life with greater intention,” the Oscar winner emphasized. “When we fail to recognize the value of time, we often overlook the importance of people and experiences.”

In the 2018 film Black Panther by Marvel Studios, Boseman took on the role of T’Challa, the recently crowned king of the fictional nation Wakanda, while Nyong’o portrayed Nakia, a fierce Wakandan warrior who shares a romantic connection with T’Challa.

She reprised her role in the 2022 sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, alongside the rest of the cast from the first film and director Ryan Coogler. Many of them honored Boseman’s memory during press interviews for Wakanda Forever and within the film itself.

Nyong’o has consistently honored Boseman on social media, including his 47th birthday in November 2023.

In the most recent post, the actress posted a Polaroid photo featuring herself, Boseman, their Black Panther costar Michael B. Jordan, and Coogler, all posing together. In the caption, Nyong’o clarified that the photo was captured in 2018 during the promotional tour of the Black Panther cast in South Korea, led by Coogler.

“Celebrating the birthday of a courageous friend,” she wrote. “I feel incredibly fortunate that our paths crossed during our time on this planet.”