Michael B. Jordan credits Chadwick Boseman for paving the way for him, making their All My Children role less racist

Esquire

Jordan and Boseman, who died last week at age 43 of colon cancer, share an All My Children connection that goes beyond Black Panther. "Jordan played Reggie Porter, a gang affiliated teenager, the soap opera All My Children from 2003 through 2006," explains Gabrielle Bruney. "But he wasn't the only actor to land the role—Boseman was the first person cast as Reggie, though he was later fired for pushing the show's writers to make the character less stereotypical. And though his efforts cost him his job, the writers did take some of Boseman's suggestions, and by the time Jordan earned the role, Reggie had been adapted into less of a caricature." Last year, Boseman told The Wrap: "I had to voice my opinions and put my stamp on it. And the good thing about it was, it changed it a little bit for (Jordan), They said, ‘You are too much trouble,’ but they took my suggestions, or some of them. And for me, honestly, that’s what this is about." In his Instagram tribute Monday, Jordan wrote: "Since nearly the beginning of my career, starting with All My Children when I was 16 years old you paved the way for me. You showed me how to be better, honor purpose, and create legacy. And whether you’ve known it or not…I’ve been watching, learning and constantly motivated by your greatness."