Toni Vaz, a pioneering actor and activist best known for founding the NAACP Image Awards, has passed away at the age of 101. She died on October 4 in Woodland Hills, California, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the entertainment industry.
Born to Barbadian immigrants in New York City, Vaz grew up in a household where movie-watching was discouraged. Yet, her passion for film led her to Hollywood, where she made her on-screen debut as an extra in the 1959 classic Tarzan, the Ape Man, sharing the frame with MGM’s iconic Leo the Lion.
Vaz quickly gained recognition, landing roles in films like Anna Lucasta and The Singing Nun. She became a trailblazer in stunt work, breaking barriers as one of the first Black women to perform daring stunts on screen. Notably, she served as a stunt double for Cicely Tyson on the television series Mission: Impossible, performing jaw-dropping feats such as dangling from helicopters—all while traveling the globe.
Driven by a vision to uplift her peers in the industry, Vaz established the NAACP Image Awards, a ceremony dedicated to honoring the achievements of people of color in the entertainment field. The inaugural event took place on August 13, 1967, at the Beverly Hills Hotel, setting the stage for an ongoing celebration of diversity in film and television.
Vaz remained an active presence in her later years, residing at the Motion Picture & Television Fund in Woodland Hills. She participated in various productions, including a dedicated episode of the Behind the Silver Screen series that highlighted her extraordinary career. In 2020, her story was shared in the MPTF’s Reel Stories, Real Lives event, narrated by NAACP Image Award winner Angela Bassett.
Looking ahead, Vaz was set to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025, a testament to her lasting impact on the industry. She is survived by her nephew, Errol Reed; niece, Janice Powell-Bowen; and numerous grandnieces, grandnephews, godsons, family, and friends who will cherish her memory.
