Who was Taraja Ramsess? Marvel stuntman and his three children die after a car crash on Halloween night
DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA: Taraja Ramsess, a 41-year-old stuntman who featured in several Marvel blockbusters like 'Black Panther', 'Avengers: End Game', and 'Avengers: Infinity War', died alongside three of his children after a horror car crash on Halloween night.
He has been working in the film industry since 2009 and has received 94 credits across the art, stunt, acting, and production departments in television shows and movies.
Taraja, his 13-year-old daughter, Sundari Ramsess, 10-year-old son, Kisasi Ramsess, and newborn daughter, Fugibo Ramsess, were making their way back home in his Ford F-150 at around 11 pm when it crashed into a broken down 18-wheeler on the exit ramp from I-285 onto I-20 eastbound.
Taraja, Sundari, and Fugibo reportedly died immediately at the scene resulting from the crash, according to Daily Mail.
However, Kisasi and another 3-year-old girl were taken to the hospital in critical condition after officers from the DeKalb County Police Department arrived at the scene. Taraja’s son led a long battle but tragically succumbed to his injuries on November 5.
As per authorities, the unidentified girl is in serious but stable condition.
GoFundMe set up for Taraja Ramsess' heartbroken family
On Instagram, Taraja Ramsess’ mother, Akili Ramsess, shared a moving tribute describing him as a loving father who "loved his martial arts, motorcycles, and all things related to filmmaking."
She added, "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 has a very droll yet wicked sense of humor & yet could be as cornball corny as can be. Sundari, Sunny as she was called, also reflected that special light. Funny & loved to dance. Oh God! I can't believe they're gone!”
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A GoFundMe has also been organized on Akili’s behalf for Taraja’s heartbroken family. The fundraiser which has so far raised over $82,000 of the $150,000 goal described how Kisasi "brought so much joy to the lives of so many" and noted, "[He] was surrounded by loving family members every moment he spent in the hospital."
Tributes pouring for Taraja Ramsess and his children
Soon after the devastating news of Taraja Ramsess and his children's death came to light, people poured in with their tributes for the well-known stuntman.
Filmmaker Ave DuVernay took to her Instagram and wrote, "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."
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She continued, "We’d talk about art and his family. My goodness, did he love his children? 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. " DuVernay continued.
She concluded, "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."
His cousin Pharaoh Hardee said, "He was very involved and loving with these children. I would FaceTime call him randomly throughout the day and he would be getting the kids ready for school, picking them up, or taking them to the gym with him," to USA Today.