RIP Toni Vaz
October 17, 2024 1:27 PM Subscribe
Toni Vaz, stuntwoman who started the NAACP Image Awards, dies at 101
"Beginning with uncredited roles in movies like “Tarzan, the Ape Man” (1959), in which she appeared opposite a roaring lion, she worked on more than 50 films and television shows, always as an extra or stuntwoman. Dangling from a helicopter, falling out a window or flying down the road in a runaway car, she doubled for stars including Cicely Tyson on TV’s 'Mission: Impossible' and appeared in disaster movies including 'The Poseidon Adventure' (1972) and 'The Towering Inferno' (1974), as well as dramas such as 'Anna Lucasta' (1958) and 'Lady Sings the Blues' (1972)."
Then she started the NAACP Image Awards: “I called it the Image Awards because I wanted a better image for the people who worked in the industry. I wanted to put this award show together to thank the producers for giving good roles to people of color.”
"Beginning with uncredited roles in movies like “Tarzan, the Ape Man” (1959), in which she appeared opposite a roaring lion, she worked on more than 50 films and television shows, always as an extra or stuntwoman. Dangling from a helicopter, falling out a window or flying down the road in a runaway car, she doubled for stars including Cicely Tyson on TV’s 'Mission: Impossible' and appeared in disaster movies including 'The Poseidon Adventure' (1972) and 'The Towering Inferno' (1974), as well as dramas such as 'Anna Lucasta' (1958) and 'Lady Sings the Blues' (1972)."
Then she started the NAACP Image Awards: “I called it the Image Awards because I wanted a better image for the people who worked in the industry. I wanted to put this award show together to thank the producers for giving good roles to people of color.”
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posted by Navelgazer at 2:05 PM on October 17
posted by Navelgazer at 2:05 PM on October 17
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posted by jim in austin at 5:08 PM on October 17
posted by jim in austin at 5:08 PM on October 17
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posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:11 PM on October 17
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:11 PM on October 17
Thanks for posting this! I’m glad I read about Ms. Vaz’ life. What amazing accomplishments, especially when you know what an uphill battle she faced against racism.
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posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:39 PM on October 17
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posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:39 PM on October 17
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Quite a life!
posted by tavella at 1:46 PM on October 17