Current:Home > StocksAvengers Stuntman Taraja Ramsess Dead at 41 After Fatal Halloween Car Crash With His Kids -RiskWatch
Avengers Stuntman Taraja Ramsess Dead at 41 After Fatal Halloween Car Crash With His Kids
View
Date:2025-04-18 13:07:34
Family and friends are mourning the heartbreaking loss of Taraja Ramsess and three of his children.
The stuntman, who worked on movies including Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, died along with three of his five kids when his vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer in Atlanta on Halloween night, according to local outlet WSB-TV. He was 41.
His two daughters, Sundari, 13, and 8-week-old Fujibo, were killed during the crash. His son Kisasi, 10, who was placed on life support after being rushed to the hospital, also succumbed to his injuries.
Ramsess' mom Akili spoke out after the devastating accident to honor her "beautiful, loving, talented" son and shared that two of her granddaughters survived the accident, including 3-year-old Shazia, who remains hospitalized with minor injuries after being ejected from the vehicle.
"All who knew and met him know how special Taraja was," Akili wrote in a moving Instagram post Nov. 1. "He had a deep capacity for love and loved his children more than all. He loved his martial arts, motorcycles and all things related to filmmaking. He a very droll yet wicked sense of humor & yet could be as cornball corny as can be."
The photojournalist also reflected on her the memory of her grandkids, adding, "Sundari, Sunny as she was called, also reflected that special light. Funny & loved to dance. Oh God! I can't believe they're gone! We are grieving and remain prayerful for my grandchildren's recovery. Thank you to so many who have already reached out with kind words and prayers."
After his passing, Ramsess was also remembered by filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who reflected on the impact he made while working at her distribution company, ARRAY.
"Regal," she wrote alongside an Instagram post featuring photos of Ramsess on-set, "That's the word that comes to mind when I think of him. He walked like a king. And to me, always acted like one."
DuVernay noted that the tragedy "makes the hearts of all who knew him break into a million pieces."
"I remember one day on set, we didn't have enough Black background actors for a key scene," the Selma director recalled. "I had to recruit my crew members to be on-camera. Taraja was the first to say yes. Yes, I'll do my real job and then jump into this wild scene playing a tough guy with a gun for you. From there - everyone else said yes too."
That moment, for DuVernay, spoke to the heart of Ramsess' character.
She added, "He was that kind of person. A leader. A light. Taraja. His name is like music. We will continue to sing it. Bless his soul. Bless his memory. Bless his loved ones and the many comrades he leaves here as he journeys on."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (9)
Related
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- The Excerpt podcast: Rosalynn Carter dies at 96, sticking points in hostage negotiations
- Naughty dog finds forever home after shelter's hilarious post: 'We want Eddie out of here'
- 49ers lose All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga for season due to torn ACL
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- NFL Week 11 winners, losers: Broncos race back to relevance with league-best win streak
- New Mexico makes interim head of state’s struggling child welfare agency its permanent leader
- South Korea’s president to talk trade, technology and defense on state visit to the UK
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Sheetz gas prices for Thanksgiving week: $1.99 a gallon deal being offered to travelers
Ranking
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- 60 years after JFK’s death, today’s Kennedys choose other paths to public service
- Years after Parkland massacre, tour freshens violence for group of House lawmakers
- State hopes to raise $1M more for flood victims through ‘Vermont Strong’ license plates, socks
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Why Jason Kelce’s Wife Kylie Isn’t Sitting in Travis Kelce’s Suite for Chiefs vs. Eagles Game
- Rosalynn Carter’s advocacy for mental health was rooted in compassion and perseverance
- Below Deck Mediterranean Shocker: Stew Natalya Scudder Exits Season 8 Early
Recommendation
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
U.N. says it's unable to make aid deliveries to Gaza due to lack of fuel
Missing Florida mom found dead in estranged husband's storage unit, authorities say
10 years later, a war-weary Ukraine reflects on events that began its collision course with Russia
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
Massachusetts forms new state police unit to help combat hate crimes
TGL pushes start date to 2025 due to recent stadium issue
911 call center says its misidentified crossing before derailment of Chicago-bound Amtrak train