Pioneering Stunt Performer Toni Vaz Dies at 101

Toni Vaz, a pioneering actress, stunt performer, and founder of the NAACP Image Awards, has passed away at the age of 101 on October 4, 2024. Born to Barbadian immigrants, she moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s to pursue a career in film, starting as an extra in 'Tarzan the Ape Man' and eventually becoming one of the first Black stuntwomen in Hollywood. Throughout her career, she worked on over 50 films and TV shows, performing stunts for notable stars like Cicely Tyson and Eartha Kitt. In addition to her impressive stunt work, Vaz founded the NAACP Image Awards in 1967 to honor Black talent in the entertainment industry and advocate for broader representation. She was recently featured in MPTF's 'Reel Stories, Real Lives' series, celebrating her impact and legacy. Her contributions have been recognized as instrumental in changing the perception of African Americans in Hollywood.