Tamara Dobson was a trailblazing actress and model who rose to fame in the 1970s for her role as Cleopatra Jones, a kick-ass government agent who fought drug lords and crime syndicates. She was also a fashion icon who set trends with her hairstyles, costumes, and statuesque figure. But behind her glamorous image, she faced many challenges and struggles, including racial discrimination, health issues, and career decline. Here is a brief overview of her life and the cause of her death.
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Early Life and Education
Tamara Janice Dobson was born on May 14, 1947, in Baltimore, Maryland. She was the second of four children born to Melvin and Evelyn Dobson (née Russell). Her father sold tickets for the Pennsylvania Railroad and her mother was a beautician. The family was poor, but Tamara had the full complement of piano, tap and ballet lessons. Her parents sent her on to the Baltimore Institute of Art, where she received her degree in fashion illustration. She also qualified as a beautician, like her mother.
Modeling and Acting Career
After graduating from college, Dobson moved to New York to pursue a career in modeling and acting. She was discovered in 1969 and began to appear in commercials and magazines. She modeled for Vogue, Essence, Mademoiselle, Redbook, and Ebony. She was also in TV commercials for Revlon, Fabergé, and Chanel. She became one of the most successful black models of her time.
Dobson made her film debut in 1972 with a small role in Fuzz. The following year, she landed her breakthrough role as Cleopatra Jones in the blaxploitation film of the same name. The film was a hit at the box office and made Dobson a star. She reprised the role in the 1975 sequel Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold. She also starred in other films such as Come Back, Charleston Blue; Chained Heat; Norman… Is That You?; Murder at the World Series; and Amazons.
Dobson also appeared on television shows such as Buck Rogers in the 25th Century; Jason of Star Command; Fantasy Island; The Love Boat; and B.J. and the Bear.
Work Discrimination and Career Decline
Despite her popularity and talent, Dobson faced racial discrimination and limited opportunities in Hollywood. She once said in an interview with The New York Times: “I like being a woman,” she goes on. “I have the kind of job I want to do. I have been discriminated against, but not because I’m a woman. It’s because I am black. I’m used to people not wanting to be with me because I’m black. Before they see me as being female, they see me as being black. The stigma that’s been placed on you because you’re black gives you enough kill to get you through the woman thing.”
Dobson also had difficulty finding roles that suited her height and image. She was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Tallest Leading Lady in Film”, standing at 6 foot 2 inches. She often towered over her male co-stars and had to wear flats or slouch to appear shorter. She also refused to play stereotypical roles that demeaned black women or portrayed them as victims.
As a result, Dobson’s film career declined in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She appeared in fewer movies and TV shows, and some of them were low-budget or poorly received by critics and audiences. Her last film role was in 1984’s Amazons, a sci-fi adventure film that was released directly to video.
Health Issues and Death
In 2000, Dobson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. The disease gradually impaired her mobility and speech, forcing her to retire from acting and modeling. As her condition worsened, she moved back to Baltimore and lived at the Keswick Multi-Care Center.
On October 2, 2006, Dobson died from complications of pneumonia and multiple sclerosis at the age of 59. She was survived by her brother Peter Dobson and sister Darilyn Dobson. She was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Woodlawn, Maryland.
Legacy and Influence
Tamara Dobson was one of the pioneers of blaxploitation cinema, a genre that showcased black actors, directors, writers, and musicians in action-packed films that addressed social issues such as racism, poverty, crime, and drugs. She was also one of the first black actresses to play a strong, independent, and empowered female lead who could fight and outsmart her enemies. She inspired many other black actresses and artists who followed in her footsteps, such as Pam Grier, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, and Beyoncé.
Dobson was also a fashion icon who influenced the style and culture of the 1970s. She was known for her Afro hairstyle, colorful outfits, and exotic accessories. She also designed some of her own costumes and clothing for tall women. She was featured in several fashion magazines and books, such as Ebony Fashion Fair: 50 Years of Style; The Black Book; and The Way We Wore: Black Style Then.
Dobson received several honors and tributes for her work and legacy. She was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame in 2012. She was also honored at the 79th Academy Awards in 2007 as part of the annual memorial tribute. In 2017, Warner Bros. and Macro announced plans to reboot Cleopatra Jones with a new script and cast.
Tamara Dobson was a trailblazing actress and model who left a lasting mark on the film and fashion industries. She was a woman of beauty, grace, intelligence, and courage who overcame many obstacles and challenges in her life. She will always be remembered as Cleopatra Jones, the blaxploitation icon who lost her life to a devastating disease.
