My Black Ninja Actors: Tamara Dobson (1947-2006) My Ninja*

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Tamara Dobson (1947-2006) My Ninja*

Tamara Dobson (1947–2006) was an iconic American model and actress best known for her head-turning role as the formidable government agent in Cleopatra Jones (1973) and its sequel Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975).

🌟 Early Life & Modeling Career

Born on May 14, 1947, in Baltimore, Maryland, the second of four children to Melvin and Evelyn Dobson.
Excelled at Western High School and studied fashion illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).
Worked as a beautician before transitioning into modeling—landing gigs with Vogue, Essence, Jet, Mademoiselle, and Ebony, and featuring in TV ads for Chanel, Revlon, and Fabergé.

🎬 Cleopatra Jones & Breakthrough

Cast in 1973 as Cleopatra “Cleo” Jones, a stylish, kung-fu-capable secret agent, which instantly made her a cultural icon.
At 6'2", she was listed in Guinness as the tallest leading lady in film.
The original film was both a commercial and critical success; sequels followed, solidifying her as a symbol of strength and Black female empowerment.

🎥 Later Career & Life

After the blaxploitation wave receded, Dobson acted in titles like Norman… Is That You? (1976), Murder at the World Series (1977), Chained Heat (1983), and made TV appearances on Jason of Star Command and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
Disheartened by typecasting and limited roles, she eventually returned to New York and invested in real estate.

🧠 Health & Passing

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis around 2000, and spent her final years at Keswick Multi-Care Center in Baltimore.
Passed away on October 2, 2006, at age 59, due to complications from MS and pneumonia.

💫 Legacy

Tamara Dobson remains a trailblazer—the first blaxploitation heroine who was not only fiercely strong and fashionable, but also celebrated Black femininity in a genre dominated by men.
Her influence echoes in later representations of empowered Black women, from Pam Grier’s roles to Beyoncé’s homage in Austin Powers in Goldmember.
Beyond her screen persona, she was a talented artist, apparel designer, and inspiring model for tall women everywhere. B.Israel 🥷
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Who Started Black Exploitation Movies?

Blaxploitation films (short for "Black exploitation") emerged in the early 1970s, but the movement doesn’t have one single creator. Instead, it was a combination of Black filmmakers, actors, and Hollywood studios responding to changing social and cultural dynamics. However, several key figures played major roles in starting and shaping the genre: 🎬 Key Pioneers of Blaxploitation: 1. Melvin Van Peebles Film: Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971) Why Important: Widely considered the first true Blaxploitation film, Sweetback was a bold, independent movie about a Black man fighting "the man." It was made outside the Hollywood system, and its unexpected success proved that films by and about Black people could make money. Legacy: It inspired studios to cash in on the market, launching the Blaxploitation boom. 2. Gordon Parks Film: Shaft (1971) Why Important: Just months after Sweetback, MGM released Shaft, directed by Parks. It had a slicker, more studio-polished feel and featured the cool private detective John Shaft (played by Richard Roundtree). Legacy: It was a box office hit and cemented the formula for future Blaxploitation films—action, attitude, music, and a strong Black lead. 🎭 Other Early Influencers: Sidney Poitier (though not part of the genre, his earlier films broke racial barriers and opened doors). Ossie Davis, Ivan Dixon, and Larry Cohen also contributed to early Black-focused cinema that overlapped with the emerging Blaxploitation style. 🎵 Music’s Role: Soundtracks by artists like Isaac Hayes (Shaft) and Curtis Mayfield (Super Fly) became just as iconic as the films. 💥 In Summary: Blaxploitation started with Melvin Van Peebles as the trailblazer, with Gordon Parks and others quickly expanding the genre. The movement gave rise to a new kind of Black cinema—proud, political, stylish, and rebellious.