Black Panther has impacted our culture in many ways. In addition to showing our children the importance of positive representation, the film has made us laugh with memes and inspired us to give back.
It's always nice to see a positive example of "life imitating art," and Tony Todd's story is an excellent example of that. According to the LA Times, Todd, a stunt actor in the popular film, found it in his heart to donate $700 to a Lancaster, California, family after they were robbed of their rent money.
Lancaster Sheriff’s Station reported the robbery occurred during a dispute at a 7-Eleven, in which several family members were assaulted, and one woman's wallet was stolen. Two women have been arrested in connection with the attack, and investigators are on the hunt for two additional persons of interest.
Todd donated the money on Monday (May 28) and has since been dubbed a "real hero."
The family who received the donation makes a living selling fruit from a truck.
“It just really touched me to think that the young lady was selling fruit for a living and she was feeding a family of five,” Todd told KTLA. “I just told myself I needed to do something about that."
Todd, who provided stunt work for the Border Tribe of Black Panther, traveled to Lancaster from Santa Monica to donate the money in person.
Lancaster's Sheriff Station issued a media statement about Todd's generosity, praising the stunt actor.
“While Mr. Todd and other actors may portray heroic characters on screen, it is people like him who show us every day that there are real heroes among us,” the Station wrote in the statement. “Thank you, Mr. Todd, for being a role model for our community.”
Wakanda salute for Tony Todd!