In Memoriam: Cleopatra Jones

Simply because I didn’t know this, I thought I’d post the following information. Even though it’s a few months old, it’s news to me. I was a big fan of Cleopatra Jones and her character has influenced pop cultures in more ways than can be recounted in this little blog. So, here’s to a strikingly beautiful, intelligent, strong, and influential black woman. You will not be forgotten.

Wednesday, 04 August 2004

Tamara Dobson, star of Cleopatra Jones, dies

Tamara Dobson, the tall, stunning, model-turned-actress who portrayed a strong female role as Cleopatra Jones in two "blaxploitation" films, has died.

Dobson, 59, died Monday of complications from pneumonia and multiple sclerosis at the Keswick Multi-Care Center, where she had lived for the past two years, her publicist said.

At six foot two, Dobson was striking as the kung-fu fighting government agent Cleopatra Jones in 1973. She reprised the role in 1975's "Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold."

"She was not afraid to start a trend," said her brother, Peter Dobson, of Houston. "She designed a lot of the clothing that so many women emulated."

Dobson also appeared in "Come Back, Charleston Blue," "Norman, Is That You?" "Murder at the World Series" and "Chained Heat."

She had TV roles in the early 1980s in "Jason of Star Command" and "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century."

Dobson lived most of her adult life in New York, her family said. She was diagnosed six years ago with multiple sclerosis.

Last Updated (Thursday, 12 October 2006 )