A famous motorcycle racer and stunt artist Joy Harris lost his life on August 14, 2017 during the filming of Deadpool 2 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
She was doing a stunt on the set of the film when she occurred a deadly accident. Joy’s death not only shocked entertainment and stunt communities, but also raised immediate questions about safety on the film set for color and women’s stunts in the industry.
Joy, a 40 -year -old African American woman, was a trailblazer in motorcycle racing long before she stepped on the Hollywood set. She had the distinction of being the first African American licensed female road racer in the US, and was widely honored for her discipline, courage and skill on two wheels.
He was historically a reputation for excellence in men’s dominating a game, and her presence in the racing world broke the obstacles and inspired others, especially dreams of motorSports with young black girls.
His work on Deadpool 2 marked his start as a stunt double in a major motion picture. He was hired for a motorcycle stunt for the character Domino, painted by actress Zazi Beatz.
On the day of the accident, Harris lost control of the motorcycle, crashed through a glass window of a building, and was immediately killed. The latter investigation revealed that he did not wear a helmet as he did not wear one in the scene for which he was doubled.
While Harris was an experienced racer, many people in the stunt community reported that he did not have time to rehearsed enough for stunts and did not have a pre -stunt experience. Concerns about the safety protocol on the set were raised and the decision to be a non-stunt professional executes a complex motorcycle maneuver.
The tragedy was considered as a silent reaction from production. Deadpool 2 star and executive producer Ryan Ryanolds issued a statement expressing his heart attack on Harris’ death, but many realized that there was a lack of accountability of the wider industry.
In the following years, critics have raised questions about whether Herris was enough to ensure and whether his death within the film industry was properly accepted.
In addition, Harris’s death is quoted in a large conversation about representation and equity in Hollywood stunt work. Black stuntwomains are presented in a very small way and are often denied opportunities or safety to others.
Joy Harris’s death became a rally point for advocates seeking better security standards, the practice of hovering work, and recognition of stunt artists – especially from the marginalized communities.
As soon as the news of his passing spread, he paid tribute to both racing and stunt communities. Friends and fellow racers recalled her not only for her ground achievements, but also for her humility, grace and fierce determination. “Joy was fearless,” shared by a colleague. “She lived with passion and purpose, and she was more entitled to this industry.”
Joy’s legacy resonates. Their story has become a call to take action for systemic changes how stunts – especially women and colorful people are trained, hired, and preserved. The advocacy groups have since worked to honor their memory by furthering the improvements of stunt workers of the entertainment industry.
Joy Harris should be remembered not only as a woman who died on Deadpool 2 set, but also as leading in her area, a barrier-breaker, and the cost of negligence. His life and career reflected excellence and bravery, and his tragic death should continue dialogue about security, equity and justice in Hollywood.