Toni Vaz, Pioneering Activist and Founder of the NAACP Image Awards, Dies at 101

Toni Vaz, the trailblazing actor, activist, and pioneer who founded the NAACP Image Awards, has passed away.

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Vaz died on October 4th in Woodland Hills, California, at the age of 101, though her death was not announced until Saturday, October 12th. A true visionary, Vaz’s life was marked by extraordinary contributions on and off the screen, including founding the NAACP Image Awards in 1967. This initiative would go on to honor countless Black artists while advocating for more inclusive casting in Hollywood.

Born to parents who immigrated from Barbados and raised in New York City, Vaz’s journey was remarkable. Despite a childhood without access to films, she found her way to Hollywood, making her acting debut in 1959’s “Tarzan, the Ape Man.” This was the beginning of a career that broke barriers for Black women in the film industry, particularly in the realm of stunt work.  She fearlessly performed daring feats, such as doubling for Cicely Tyson in “Mission Impossible,” and even hung from helicopters, embodying courage in every scene.

Even in her later years, Vaz remained active, engaging in various productions and being celebrated for her work. Angela Bassett shared her story during MPTF’s Reel Stories, Real Lives event, and she was most recently approved for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to be unveiled in 2025.

Vaz is survived by her nephew, Errol Reed, niece, Janice Powell-Bowen, and a loving extended family.  Her impact on the entertainment industry will be felt for generations.