By Mark Gray
1:30pm PST, Nov 7, 2023
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Taraja Ramses — a prominent Hollywood stuntman whose credits include "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Endgame" — was killed in a horrific car crash in Georgia on Halloween. Three of his children also perished in the accident.
WSB-TV News reported that Taraja was driving his truck with five of his kids when he plowed into a tractor-trailer that had broken down on a freeway exit ramp. The stuntman and two of his children — his 13-year-old daughter and his 8-week-old daughter — were pronounced dead at the scene. A few days later, Taraja's 10-year-old son also passed away from injuries sustained during the accident.
Click for more details and to see how friends and family are honoring the on-screen martial artist…
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Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay paid tribute to Taraja Ramses on Instagram on Nov. 1.
"Taraja. Regal. 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. He was a part of our crew family at ARRAY. He left us last night forever in a way that makes the hearts of all who knew him break into a million pieces," she wrote. "Taraja. We'd talk about art and his family. My goodness, did he love his children. A happy, whole love. Beautiful to behold. He loved making movies and TV too. Held many positions over the years. Immersing himself in all aspects of the craft.
"I remember one day on set, we didn't have enough Black background actors for a key scene. 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. 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."
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Taraja Ramses' mom, Akili Ramsess, spoke of her son's fatal accident on Instagram.
"My beautiful, loving, talented son Taraja @chop.saki, along with two of my grand babies, his 13 yo daughter Sundari and his 8-week old newborn daughter Fujibo, were killed the previous night in a horrific traffic accident," she captioned a slideshow of photos on Nov. 2. "My grandson, his 10yo son, Kisasi, 'Sauce the Boss,' is on life support. Two of my granddaughters survived, the 3-yo Shazia is still hospitalized but is recovering with minor injuries."
"All who knew and met him know how special Taraja was. 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 [had] a very droll yet wicked sense of humor and yet could be as cornball corny as can be. Sundari, Sunny as she was called, also reflected that special light. Funny and 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," she added.
On Nov. 4, Akili tearfully announced that Kisasi had died.
"Kisasi Adebayo joins his father Taraja @chop.saki and sisters Sundari and Fujibo on their journey. May God bless all their souls. You all will be missed," she wrote.
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After the deaths of Taraja Ramses and three of his children, a GoFundMe was set up to help his mother, Akili Ramsess.
"We will continue to update this posting with more information as it becomes available and as Akili and her family are ready to release it," the GoFundMe page explained. "I know you share our feelings that this devastating loss is unfathomable, and we are just trying to take a first step in helping Akili down the very long road ahead. Please give what you can."
With a goal of $150,000, the fund has raised more than half of that as of Nov. 6. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay chipped in $5,000.
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Taraja Ramses's longtime pal said the loss of the "Creed 3" stuntman is heartbreaking.
"When I first heard about it, I broke down," X3 Sports trainer Tony Tucci told WSB-TV News. "I had to sit down… He was always a family man. [Taraja's children] would come and sit and watch him train, and they would jump in and start training too."
"He was just an amazing person," Tony added. "We have a great loss to this world. It makes you reflect and gives you a new perspective on everyone you need to call every day. Because you never know when your last words are going to be to someone."
