Entertainment
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Winston Duke pays tribute to ‘hero’ mother after her death: ‘I miss you so much and this is just the first day’-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
‘Thank you for being my hero,’ the actor wrote in tribute.
‘Thank you for being my hero,’ the actor wrote in tribute (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Universal)
Winston Duke, best-known for playing M’Baku in Black Panther, has paid tribute to his mother Cora Pantin following her death, describing her as his ‘hero’.
In a post shared on Instagram, the 35-year-old shared two fond memories of his mother, one that showed them dancing together after he found out he’d been cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
‘Lost our queen today…@joycecoco56 I was the one who set up her instagram and made the first posts… then she our cheerleader and dance partner during any trial,’ he wrote.
‘She always went where she was needed…this was the day I learned that I booked Black Panther and I was so happy but immediately started wondering if I could do it and she danced with me…’
Duke explained that the following video was of his mother and his sister, women’s health and fertility expert Dr Cindy Duke, when his sibling needed some cheering up.
‘The next video is when my sister was in fellowship and was really sick with bronchitis and depressed from the trials of being one of the only black candidates in her program all the challenges that come with that and she picked her up and said “let’s dance”,’ he recalled.
‘She always said “the race is not for the swift but for those who can endure to the end” she always picked u up… she was present!
‘She was never premeditated…always present so she brought you back to the present and would only remind you of the past when she thought u were jeopardizing your present.
‘She danced through life and now our girl is gone… I miss you so much and this is just the first day… thank you for being my mom. Thank you for being my hero…’
Duke made his debut in the MCU in the 2018 film Black Panther (Picture: Marvel Studios)
On his Instagram Story, Duke also wrote: ‘My best friend is gone… mama coco @joyce.coco56 died this morning… my mother… my most loyal friend… my best, my first living & loving friend… my mother is gone… wow it’s not fair…’
His sister Dr Duke also tweeted: ‘Dear Friends & Wellwishers, It is with the greatest sadness that I share the unexpected passing of our mother, Cora Pantin, at 401am pacific this morning. We are still figuring out details & coming to terms with this reality. We will share more when able …’
People have rushed to offer their condolences to the Duke family over their loss.
Letitia Wright, who stars in the upcoming Marvel film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever alongside Duke, shared a picture of her co-star with his late mother on her Instagram Story, writing in her caption: ‘Big bro @winstoncduke our heart & prayers are with you during this time. We love you & we got you. God bless you @joyce.coco56, rest easy.’
Actor Octavia Spencer commented on Duke’s Instagram post, writing: ‘So sorry for your loss and keeping your family in my prayers. Know this: she’ll always be with you. Every celebration, heartbreak.’
One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush wrote: ‘Sending you so much love. So sorry for your loss. What a light,’ while How To Get Away With Muder star Aja Naomi King penned: ‘So deeply sorry and sending so much love.’
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