Tamara Dobson, RIP

[Root Doctor]

Tamara Dobson, 59; starred in 'Cleopatra Jones'

By Associated Press | October 6, 2006

BALTIMORE -- Tamara Dobson, the model-turned-actress who portrayed a strong female role as Cleopatra Jones in two so-called blaxploitation films, died Monday of complications from pneumonia and multiple sclerosis at the Keswick Multi-Care Center. She was 59.

A Baltimore native, Ms. Dobson began her modeling career at the Maryland Institute College of Art and then moved to New York. She appeared in many magazines, including Vogue and Essence, and television commercials.

At 6 feet 2 inches tall and with a traffic-stopping figure, Ms. Dobson was striking as the kung-fu fighting, Afro-wearing 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. She designed a lot of the clothing that so many women emulated. With the knowledge from her degree and her natural creativity, she helped develop elegant fashions, especially for tall women," said her brother, Peter.

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

[Sherman]

Damn shame. 59 is so young.

RIP, Tamara

[Valerie]

Originally Posted by Sherman

Damn shame. 59 is so young.

RIP, Tamara

yes, and she was so beautiful. i had wondered what happened to her in recent years. very sad.

[jazzy mary]

Oh, she was Baaaaad! What a woman! Rip to this beautiful woman.

[Al in NYC]

Oh man, that's so sad. Sitting in the dark in the Palms Theatre in downtown Detroit and looking up at her giant larger than life image there on the screen was one of the key moments of my puberty years.

Damn, I'm gettin' old too...

[HLJ]

Man what a bummer .I will allways remember that flick Cleopatra Jones.My very first week a Marquette Sept.73 during New Student Orietation that flim was playing Downtown Milwaukee.Me my Mother,Father and Aunt saw it.If I remember right Antonio Fagras was also in it palying a character call Doodle-Bug.He styled a white suit and my Father loved it.The next night Pops wore a white suit to a parents event.Real meaningful now that he is passed away.I have a picture of hin in my old dorm room in that suit.Peace and all that.