Dorothy Steel, the actress who made her feature film debut as a tribal elder in Black Panther, died on October 15, 2021, at the age of 95. Her agent, Cindy Butler of iSubmit Talent, confirmed her death to People magazine, but did not reveal the cause of death. Steel was in the middle of filming the sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and was flown back to Detroit to be with her family before she passed away. According to her publicist, Steel had said that the sequel would be her “last role” and that she “went out strong”.
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A Late Bloomer in Hollywood
Steel was born on February 23, 1926, in Flint, Michigan. She worked for many years as a senior revenue officer for the Internal Revenue Service, retiring in 1984. After living in the United States Virgin Islands for 20 years, she relocated to Atlanta to live closer to her son and grandson. She started acting at the age of 88, after her grandson encouraged her to pursue her passion. She began with community theater at the Frank Bailey Senior Center in Riverdale, and soon landed roles in locally-made films.
A Breakthrough Role in Black Panther
Steel’s big break came when she auditioned for the role of an elder of the Merchant Tribe in Black Panther, the 2018 Marvel blockbuster that celebrated African culture and heritage. She said she was initially hesitant to appear in a “comic strip at my age”, but decided to give it a try after practicing Nelson Mandela’s speech patterns on her computer. She heard back from the production team an hour after sending off her audition tape. She said it “makes me feel really good to be a part of something … Black” and that she was proud of the film’s message of unity and empowerment.
A Busy and Diverse Career
Steel’s role in Black Panther was her feature film debut, but it was not her last. She went on to appear in several other high-profile films, such as Poms, a comedy about a group of senior cheerleaders; Jumanji: The Next Level, an adventure sequel starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart; and Emperor, a historical drama about an escaped slave who joins John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry. She also had roles in television shows such as Saints & Sinners, The Oval, and Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Joy
Steel’s death was mourned by many fans and celebrities who admired her talent and spirit. Lupita Nyong’o, who co-starred with Steel in Black Panther, paid tribute to her on Instagram, calling her “wildly witty” and “a joy to work with”. Nyong’o also shared a video of Steel dancing on set with Chadwick Boseman, who played the titular hero and died of colon cancer in 2020. Nyong’o wrote: “She brought light into every room she entered. I will miss you dearly Dorothy Steel.”
Steel’s agent, Butler, also praised her as “an amazing woman” who “lived life to the fullest”. Butler said that Steel was “an inspiration to all” and that she was honored to represent her. Steel’s publicist told WSB-TV that Steel was “a very spiritual person” who believed that “God had a plan for her”. Steel’s son, Scott, died in 2018, and she is survived by her grandson, Niles.
Steel’s life and career are a testament to the power of following one’s dreams and passions, no matter how late or how challenging. She proved that age is no barrier to success and happiness, and that it is never too late to make an impact on the world. Dorothy Steel cause of death may be unknown, but her legacy will live on forever.
