Wikipedia

Pam Grier

Pamela Suzette Grier(born May 26, 1949) is an American actress, singer, and martial artist. Described byQuentin Tarantinoas cinema's first female action star,[2]she achieved fame for her starring roles in a string of 1970saction,blaxploitationandwomen-in-prison filmsforAmerican International PicturesandNew World Pictures.Her accolades include nominations for anEmmy Award,aGolden Globe Award,aScreen Actors Guild Award,aSatellite Awardand aSaturn Award.

Pam Grier
Grier in 2022
Born
Pamela Suzette Grier

(1949-05-26)May 26, 1949(age 75)[1]
Winston-Salem, North Carolina,U.S.
Alma materMetropolitan State College
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
  • martial artist
Years active1970–present

Grier came to prominence with her titular roles in the filmsCoffy(1973) andFoxy Brown(1974); her other major films during this period includedThe Big Doll House(1971),Women in Cages(1971),The Big Bird Cage(1972),Black Mama White Mama(1973),Scream Blacula Scream(1973),The Arena(1974),Sheba, Baby(1975),Bucktown(1975) andFriday Foster(1975). She portrayed the title character inQuentin Tarantino'scrime filmJackie Brown(1997), nearly three decades after her first starring role. Grier also appeared inEscape from L.A.(1996),Mars Attacks!(1996),Jawbreaker(1999),Holy Smoke!,(1999),Bones(2001),Just Wright(2010),Larry Crowne(2011) andPoms(2019).

On television, Grier portrayed Eleanor Winthrop in theShowtimecomedy-drama seriesLinc's(1998–2000), Kate "Kit" Porter on the Showtime drama seriesThe L Word(2004–2009), and Constance Terry in theABCsitcomBless This Mess(2019–2020). She received praise for her work in the animated seriesHappily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child(1999).

In 2016IndieWirenamed Grier one of the best actors never to have received anAcademy Awardnomination.[3][4]

Early life

edit

Grier was born on May 26, 1949, inWinston-Salem, North Carolina,the daughter of Gwendolyn Sylvia (née Samuels), ahomemakerandnurse,and Clarence Ransom Grier Jr., who worked as amechanicandtechnical sergeantin theUnited States Air Force.She has one sister and one brother.[5]Grier said she is of Black, Hispanic, Chinese, Filipino, and Cheyenne heritage.[6]She was raised Catholic and later baptized as a Methodist.[7]

Because of her father's military career, the family moved frequently during Grier's childhood. In 1956, they moved toSwindonwhere her father worked on an air force base.[8]By Grier's account, hers was one of the only Black families in town, though she recalled that they faced no racism or segregation compared to that in the United States: "They didn't care that I was Black since they hadn't been raised to hate Blacks. Instead, they'd been raised to hate Germans... In the U.S., especially in the South, we were never able to get buses to stop for us, we couldn't eat in certain restaurants, couldn't use certain bathrooms. Up until 1969, there were department stores in which my father and I weren't even allowed to try on clothing."[8][9]

The family returned to the United States in 1958, when Grier's father was transferred to California'sTravis Air Force Base,eventually settling inDenver,nearLowry Air Force Base.[10]Grier spent part of her upbringing on her maternal grandparents'sugar beetfarm in ruralWyoming,where their ancestors had homesteaded after fleeing west via theUnderground Railroadto escape slavery.[11]Grier attendedEast High Schoolin Denver, and appeared in a number of stage productions, as well as participating inbeauty conteststo raise money for collegetuitionatMetropolitan State College.

Career

edit
Grier in 1976

Grier moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1967, where she was initially hired to work the switchboard atAmerican International Pictures(AIP).[12]She is believed to have been discovered by the directorJack Hill,[13]and was cast inRoger Cormanwomen-in-prisonfilms such asThe Big Doll House(1971),Women in Cages(1971) andThe Big Bird Cage(1972). While under contract at AIP, she became a staple of early 1970sblaxploitationfilms, playing bold, assertive women, beginning with Hill'sCoffy(1973), in which she plays a nurse who seeks revenge ondrug dealers.Her character was advertised in the trailer as the "baddest one-chick hit-squad that ever hit town!". The film, which was filled with sexual and violent elements typical of the genre, was a box-office hit. Grier is considered to be the first African-American woman to headline an action film, as protagonists of previousblaxploitationfilms were men. In his review ofCoffy,criticRoger Ebertpraised the film for its believable female lead. He noted that Grier was an actress of "beautiful face and astonishing form" and that she possessed a kind of "physical life" missing from many other attractiveactresses.[14]

Grier played similar characters in the AIP filmsFoxy Brown(1974),Sheba, BabyandFriday Foster(both 1975). With the demise of blaxploitation later in the 1970s, Grier appeared in smaller roles for many years. She acquired progressively larger character roles in the 1980s, including a druggieprostituteinFort Apache, The Bronx(1981) and a witch inSomething Wicked this Way Comes(1983). In 1985, Grier made her theatrical debut inSam Shepard'sFool for Loveat theLos Angeles Theatre Center.[15]

Grier returned to film asSteven Seagal's detective partner inAbove the Law(1988). She had a recurring role onMiami Vicefrom 1985 to 1989, and made guest appearances onMartin,Night CourtandThe Fresh Prince of Bel Air.She had a recurring role in the TV seriesCrime Story,between 1986 and 1988. Her role inRocket Gibraltar(1988) was cut due to fears by the film's director,Daniel Petrie,of "repercussions from interracial love scenes".[16]She appeared onSinbad,Preston Chronicles,The Cosby Show,The Wayans Bros.,andMad TV.In 1994, Grier appeared inSnoop Dogg's video for "Doggy Dogg World".

Grier with moderatorJarrett Crippenduring a Q&A session at the 2013Wizard World New York Experience

In the late 1990s, Grier was a cast member of the Showtime seriesLinc's.She appeared in 1996 inJohn Carpenter'sEscape from L.A.and 1997 with the title role inQuentin Tarantino'sJackie Brown,films that partly paid homage to her 1970s blaxploitation films. She was nominated for numerous awards for her work in the Tarantino film. Grier appeared onShowtime'sThe L Word,in which she playedKit Porter.The series ran for six seasons and ended in March 2009. Grier occasionally guest-stars in such television series asLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(where she is a recurring character).

In 2010, Grier began appearing in a recurring role on the hit science-fiction seriesSmallvilleas the villainAmanda Waller,also known as White Queen, head agent ofCheckmate,a covert operations agency. She appeared as a friend and colleague toJulia Roberts' college professor in 2011'sLarry Crowne.

In 2010, Grier wrote her memoir,Foxy: My Life in Three Acts,with Andrea Cagan.[17]

Grier received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from theUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shorein 2011. That same year, she received an honorary Doctorate of Science fromLangston University.[18]

Essencemagazinewrote in 2012, "So revolutionary were the characters Grier played that women reportedly would stand on chairs and cheer".[19]

Grier founded the Pam Grier Community Garden and Education Center with theNational Multicultural Western Heritage Museum.The purpose is to teach people about organic gardening, health, and nutrition among other things.[20]The museum named its first garden in honor of Grier in 2011.[21]

In January 2018, Grier said that a biopic based on her memoir is in the works, entitledPam.[22]

In April 2022,Turner Classic Movies(TCM) announced the fourth season of their podcast,The Plot Thickens,would focus on Grier's life and career.[23]

Personal life

edit

Grier met basketball player Ferdinand Lewis (Lew) Alcindor in 1969.[24]Early in their relationship, he converted to Islam and changed his name toKareem Abdul-Jabbar.Abdul-Jabbar proposed to Grier on the condition that she immediately convert to Islam.[25]Grier refused, and he married a different woman that day.[26][27]

Grier met the comedianFreddie Prinzewhile promoting her filmCoffyin 1973. They began a relationship and considered marriage.[26][27][28]Prinze wanted her to have his baby, but she was reluctant due to his history ofdepressionanddrug addiction.[17][29]They remained in touch after their break-up. She was one of the last people Prinze spoke to before he died in 1977.[22]

Grier met the comedianRichard Pryorthrough her relationship with Prinze; they began dating after they were both cast in 1977'sGreased Lightning.[26]She helped Pryor learn to read and tried to extricate him from drug abuse.[22][17]After six months of sobriety, he relapsed.[26]In her memoir, Grier described how her sexual relationship with Pryor causedcocaineto enter her system. Grier confronted Pryor about protecting her health, but he refused to use a condom.[29]Pryor marriedDeborah McGuirewhile dating Grier in 1977.[30]

Grier was formerly romantically linked to Jimmie "Big Wheel" Wheeler, a famous boxing promoter;Soul TrainhostDon Cornelius;[31]and basketball playerWilt Chamberlain.[32]In 1998, Grier was engaged toRCA RecordsexecutiveKevin Evans,but the engagement ended in 1999.[33]

Grier was diagnosed with stage fourcervical cancerin 1988, and was told she had 18 months to live. Through vigorous treatment, she recovered and has since been in remission.[34]

Grier lives on a ranch in Colorado.[35]

Although she is close with actor andProtestant ministerRosey Grier,she denies the rumor that they are related.[36]

Honors and awards

edit

For her the culture-shaping effect of cultural contributions made throughout her career,[37]Grier was recognized with a lifetime achievement award at the 2024 Toronto Black Film Festival.[38]

For Valentine's Day 2024,Quentin Tarantinopaid homage to Grier with the opening of a Los Feliz coffee shop, carrying the namesake of the 1973 American-culture-shaping character she famously portrayed inCoffy.[39]

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1970 Beyond the Valley of the Dolls Partygoer [40]
1971 The Big Doll House Grear [40]
Women in Cages Alabama [40]
1972 The Twilight People Ayesa [40]
Cool Breeze Mona [40]
The Big Bird Cage Blossom [40]
Hit Man Gozelda [40]
1973 Black Mama White Mama Lee Daniels [40]
Coffy Nurse Flower Child 'Coffy' Coffin [40]
Scream Blacula Scream Lisa Fortier [40]
1974 The Arena Mamawi [40]
Foxy Brown Foxy Brown [40]
1975 Sheba, Baby Sheba Shayne [40]
Bucktown Aretha [40]
Friday Foster Friday Foster [40]
1976 Drum Regine [40]
1977 Twilight of Love Sandra [41]
Greased Lightning Mary Jones [40]
1981 Fort Apache, The Bronx Charlotte [40]
1983 Tough Enough Myra [40]
Something Wicked This Way Comes Dust Witch [40]
1985 Stand Alone Cathryn Bolan [42]
1986 The Vindicator Hunter [42]
On the Edge Cora [40]
1987 The Allnighter Sgt. McLeesh [40]
1988 Above the Law Detective Delores 'Jacks' Jackson [40]
1989 The Package Ruth Butler [40]
1990 Class of 1999 Ms. Connors [40]
1991 Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey Ms. Wardroe [40]
1993 Posse Phoebe [40]
1996 Original Gangstas Laurie Thompson [40]
Escape from L.A. Jack 'Carjack' Malone / Hershe Las Palmas [42]
Mars Attacks! Louise Williams [42]
1997 Strip Search Janette
Fakin' da Funk Annabelle Lee [42]
Jackie Brown Jackie Brown [40]
1999 Jawbreaker Det. Vera Cruz [42]
No Tomorrow Diane [42]
In Too Deep Det. Angela Wilson [42]
Holy Smoke! Carol [42]
2000 Snow Day Tina [42]
Fortress 2: Re-Entry Susan Mendenhall [42]
Wilder Detective Della Wilder [42]
2001 3 A.M. George
Love the Hard Way Linda [42]
Ghosts of Mars Commander Helena Braddock [40]
Bones Pearl [40]
2002 The Adventures of Pluto Nash Flura Nash [42]
Baby of the Family Mrs. Williams
2005 Back in the Day Mrs. Cooper [42]
2010 Just Wright Janice Wright [42]
The Invited Zelda [42]
Machete Maidens Unleashed! Herself Documentary [42]
2011 Larry Crowne Frances [42]
Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel Herself Documentary [42]
2012 Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day Detective Barrick [40]
The Man with the Iron Fists Jane [42]
Mafia James Womack [42]
2017 Bad Grandmas Coralee [42]
Being Rose Lily [42]
2019 Poms Olive [42]
2023 As We Know It Ms. Jones [42]
Cinnamon Mama [43]
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines Majorie Washburn [44]

Television

edit
Year Title Role Notes
1979 Roots: The Next Generations Francey Episode: "Part IV (1917–1921)"
1980 The Love Boat Cynthia Wilbur Episode: "Kinfolk / Sis & the Slicker / Moonlight & Moonshine / Too Close for Comfort / The Affair: Part 1 & 2"
1985 Badge of the Assassin Alexandra Horn Television film
1985–90 Miami Vice Valerie Gordon Recurring cast (season 1–2, 5)
1986 Night Court Benet Collins Episode: "Hurricane: Part 1 & 2"
1986–88 Crime Story Suzanne Terry Recurring cast
1987 The Cosby Show Samantha Episode: "Planning Parenthood"
1988 Frank's Place Neema Sharone Episode: "Frank's Place – The Movie"
1989 Midnight Caller Susan Province Episode: "Blood Red"
1990 Knots Landing Lieutenant Guthrie Recurring cast (season 12)
1991 Monsters Matilde Episode: "Hostile Takeover"
1992 Pacific Station Grace Ballard Episode: "My Favorite Dad"
A Mother's Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story Linda Holman Television film
1994 In Living Color Herself Episode: "Mrs. Ikefire"
The Sinbad Show Lynn Montgomery Episode: "The Telethon"
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Janice Robertson Episode: "M is for the Many Things She Gave Me"
1995 The Marshal Marshal Vanetta Brown Episode: "Rainbow Comix"
Martin Herself Episode: "All the Players Came"
1996 Sparks Ms. Grayson Episode: "Pillow Talk"
The Wayans Bros. Erica Episode: "Goin' to the Net"
1998 Mad TV Host Episode: "#3.25"
Pinky and the Brain Julie Auburn Voice, episode: "Inherit the Wheeze"[45]
Family Blessings Mrs. Quincy Television film
1998–2000 Linc's Eleanor Winthrop Main cast
1999 The Wild Thornberrys Mother Springbok Voice, episode: "Stick Your Neck Out"[45]
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child The Empress' Nightingale Voice, episode: "The Empress' Nightingale"
Hayley Wagner, Star Sam Television film
For Your Love Brenda Episode: "The Sins of the Mother and... the Boyfriend"
2001 Strange Frequency Episode: "Time Is on My Side"
The Feast of All Saints Suzzette Lermontant Television film
2002 Night Visions Dr. Lewis Episode: "Switch"
Justice League My'ria'h Voice, episodes: "A Knight of Shadows Part 1 and 2"[45]
2002–03 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Asst. US Attorney Claudia Williams 2 episodes
2003 First to Die Claire Washburn Television film
2004–09 The L Word Kit Porter Main cast (70 episodes)
2008 Ladies of the House Roberta "Birdie" Marchand Television film
2010 Smallville Amanda Waller 3 episodes (season 9)
2015 Cleveland Abduction Nurse Carla Television film
2018–19 This Is Us Grandma 2 episodes
2019 A Christmas Wish Mary Television film
2019–20 Bless This Mess Constance Terry Main cast (26 episodes)
2022 The Great North Neckbone Voice, episode: "Slide & Wet-Judice Adventure"
2024 Them Athena Reeve Main cast (8 episodes)
Bob's Burgers Evelyn Voice, episode: "Saving Favorite Drive-In"
Mystery Cuddlers Junebug Voice (Pilot)

Video games

edit
Year Title Role Notes
2013 Grand Theft Auto V Herself DJ on in-game radio station 'The Lowdown 91.1'
2017 Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare "Shaolin Shuffle" DLC

Music videos

edit
Year Title Artist Role Notes
1994 "Doggy Dogg World" Snoop Dogg Foxy Brown

Discography

edit

Bibliography

edit
  • 2010:Foxy: My Life in Three Acts(ISBN9780446548502).

Accolades

edit

Awards

edit

Nominations

edit

References

edit
  1. ^"Famous birthdays for May 26: Bobcat Goldthwait, Lenny Kravitz".UPI.May 26, 2022.RetrievedMarch 7,2023.
  2. ^"Pam Grier".Wizard World. Archived fromthe originalon April 10, 2016.RetrievedJune 29,2015.
  3. ^Kiang, Jessica (January 1, 2016)."30 Great Actors Who've Never Been Oscar Nominated".Indiewire.RetrievedOctober 15,2022.
  4. ^"Pam Grier Set for Career Tribute at Toronto Black Film Festival".The Hollywood Reporter.
  5. ^Mal Vincent (January 6, 1998)."She's Back, And She's Ready To Kick Butt. Pam Grier Is Baaaaaad, And Was not very nice The Man Who Doesn'T Take Notice".The Virginian-Pilot Archives.Norfolk, VA.RetrievedOctober 5,2013.
  6. ^John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer (September 18, 2010)."Pam Grier, queen of 1970s blaxploitation films, speaks in Cleveland on her book tour".cleveland.com.RetrievedSeptember 15,2013.
  7. ^Baumann, Minerva."Film festival workshop examines diversity in industry".Las Cruces Sun-News.RetrievedMarch 23,2021.
  8. ^abHudson, Barrie (October 3, 2012)."When a Hollywood star, Pam Grier called Swindon home".Swindon Advertiser.Archivedfrom the original on January 14, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 14,2022.
  9. ^Sloan, Ben (October 27, 2009)."Pam Grier Interview".Metro News.Archivedfrom the original on January 14, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 14,2022.
  10. ^"Pam Grier and the Colorado Ranch She Now Calls Home".The Wall Street Journal.May 10, 2017.
  11. ^Rubenstein, Janine (November 18, 2016)."The Original Foxy Brown! '70s Star Pam Grier on Black Films, Strong Women and the Single Life".Yahoo!.Archivedfrom the original on January 14, 2022.
  12. ^Robinson, Louie (June 1976)."Pam Grier: More Than Just a Sex Symbol".Ebony.pp.33–42 – via Google Books.
  13. ^Dixon, Wheeler Wixon (March 1, 2005). "Filmmaking" for the fun of it ": An Interview with Jack Hill".Film Criticism.29(3):46–59.
  14. ^"RogerEbert.com".Coffy.RetrievedMay 11,2006.
  15. ^"Pam Grier Makes Debut In Stage Production".Jet:62. October 21, 1985.
  16. ^"JerryattheMovies".Foxy Brown and Elmer Gantry? Nay, nay.RetrievedMarch 15,2012.
  17. ^abcLee, Felicia R. (May 4, 2010)."Pam Grier's Collection of Lessons Learned".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.
  18. ^Walker, Yvette (October 16, 2011)."Dionne Warwick, Pam Grier receive honorary doctorates from Langston University".NewsOK.
  19. ^Amber, J. (2012). "Pam Grier".Essence.Vol. 42, no. 11.
  20. ^Nash, Suzi (February 26, 2015)."Pam Grier: Growing awareness through education, activism".Philadelphia Gay News.
  21. ^"National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame − Dallas/Ft. Worth".National Multicultural Western Heritage.Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 13,2020.
  22. ^abcFleming, Mike (January 16, 2018)."'70s Screen Icon Pam Grier Speaks On Sex Harassment & Her Biopic With Jay Pharoah Playing Richard Pryor ".Deadline.
  23. ^"TCM's Critically Acclaimed Podcast To Spotlight Iconic Actress Pam Grier".WarnerMedia Pressroom.April 20, 2022.
  24. ^"Explore the timeline of the life and career of Pam Grier".RetrievedJanuary 20,2024.
  25. ^Marchese, David (September 15, 2019)."Pam Grier on Maintaining Her Independence and Identity in Showbiz".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.
  26. ^abcdGetlen, Larry (April 18, 2010)."Foxy: my life in three acts".New York Post.
  27. ^ab"The Illest Na Na".Vibe Magazine.February 1998.RetrievedJune 11,2018– via Google Books.
  28. ^"Freddie Prinze".Vibe Magazine.February 1998.RetrievedJune 11,2018– via Google Books.[permanent dead link‍]
  29. ^abGrier, Pam (2010).Foxy: My Life in Three Acts.Springboard.ISBN978-0-446-54850-2.
  30. ^Summers, Chris (August 25, 2013)."The demons that drove Richard Pryor to make us laugh".BBC.
  31. ^Blount Danois, Ericka (2013).Love, Peace, and Soul: Behind the Scenes of America's Favorite Dance Show Soul Train: Classic Moments.Backbeat Books.ISBN978-1-4803-4101-2.
  32. ^"People Are Talking About..."Jet.August 16, 1973.RetrievedJune 11,2018– via Google Books.
  33. ^"Pam Grier Talks About Her: Engagement To A Younger Man, Booming Career, Surviving Cancer, Plans To Have A Baby".Jet:36–39. April 13, 1998.
  34. ^Shaitly, Shahesta (December 10, 2011)."Pam Grier takes raunch to the ranch".The Guardian.
  35. ^"Foxy by Pam Grier".YouTube.April 28, 2010.
  36. ^"Pam Grier loves her past — and looks forward".December 14, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 20,2024.
  37. ^JoVonn, Jeroslyn (January 26, 2024)."Pam Grier To Be Honored at Toronto Black Film Festival".Black Enterprise.RetrievedFebruary 20,2024.
  38. ^Vlessing, Etan (January 17, 2024)."Pam Grier Set for Career Tribute at Toronto Black Film Festival".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedFebruary 20,2024.
  39. ^Roland, Rebecca (February 16, 2024)."Quentin Tarantino's Coffee Shop Dedicated to Pam Grier Is Now Open at the Vista Theater".Eater LA.RetrievedFebruary 19,2024.
  40. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeaf"Pam Grier Filmography".AFI Catalog of Feature Films.Los Angeles, California:American Film Institute.Archivedfrom the original on March 10, 2020.
  41. ^"Vintage posters for La notte dell alta marea aka Twilight of Love starring Pam Grier".May 19, 2019.RetrievedJuly 26,2020.
  42. ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"Pam Grier Filmography".AllMovie.Archivedfrom the original on February 4, 2020.
  43. ^Jackson, Angelique (April 18, 2023)."Tribeca Film Festival Selection 'Cinnamon' Debuts First Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety.RetrievedApril 21,2023.
  44. ^Rubin, Rebecca (July 21, 2021)."'Jackie Brown' Icon Pam Grier Joins Cast of 'Pet Sematary' Prequel (EXCLUSIVE) ".Variety.RetrievedJuly 21,2021.
  45. ^abc"Pam Grier (visual voices guide)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedNovember 20,2023.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  46. ^"Turner Broadcasting Announces 2003 Trumpet Awards Honorees".WarnerMedia.
  47. ^"Trumpet Awards Honorees Include Destiny's child, Spike Lee, Pam Grier".Jet:14–15. February 24, 2003.
  48. ^"Hall of Fame Inductees".National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum.RetrievedJune 3,2023.
  49. ^"9th Annual 20/20 Award Winners Announced | 20/20 Awards | Films that have stood the test of time".Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 13,2020.

Further reading

edit
  • Sims, Yvonne D. (2006), "Here comes the queen", in Sims, Yvonne D. (ed.),Women of blaxploitation: how the black action film heroine changed American popular culture,Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, pp.71–92,ISBN978-0-7864-2744-4.
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related toPam Grier.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pam_Grier&oldid=1275415652"