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Tamara Dobson

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Tamara Dobson
Dobson inCleopatra Jones(1973)
Born
Tamara Janice Dobson

(1947-05-14)May 14, 1947[1]
Baltimore, Maryland,U.S.
DiedOctober 2, 2006(2006-10-02)(aged 59)[1][2]
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Resting placeWoodlawn Cemetery,Woodlawn, Maryland,U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationMaryland Institute College of Art[2]
Occupations
Years active1969–1987
Known forCleopatra Jones –Cleopatra Jones,Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3][4]

Tamara Janice Dobson(May 14, 1947 – October 2, 2006) was an Americanactressandfashion model.Beginning her career in modeling during the late 1960s, Dobson became best known for her title role as government agent Cleopatra "Cleo" Jones in the 1973blaxploitationfilmCleopatra Jonesand its 1975 sequelCleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold.[3][5]

Early life and education

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Born inBaltimore, Maryland,Dobson was the second of four children born to Melvin and Evelyn Dobson (née Russell).[6]She attended Western High School, an academically demanding all-girls institution. 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, and after she got her degree, she went on to qualify as a beautician, like her mother.

Dobson started as abeautician.Dobson started her modeling career doing fashion shows at her school,Maryland Institute College of Art,where she also received herdegreeinfashion illustration.[4]While studying, Dobson was discovered in 1969 and began to filmcommercialsand modeled.

Career

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After school, Dobson moved from Maryland to New York to model and act full-time. Dobson modeled forJet Magazinesometime during her early modeling career.[6]Dobson eventually became a fashion model forVogue Magazine,in addition to modeling forEssencemagazine.[4][7]She was also inTV commercialsforRevlon,Fabergé,andChanel.[4]Dobson is also recognized by theGuinness Book of World Recordsas the "Tallest Leading Lady in Film", standing at 6 feet 2 inches.[3][4]Aside from Cleopatra Jones, Dobson had roles in other films such asCome Back, Charleston Blue;Chained HeatandNorman... Is That You?

Dobson also starred in episode 13 ofBuck Rogers in the 25th Centuryas Doctor Delora Bayliss and in Season 2 ofJason of Star Command.

Work discrimination

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Dobson experienced racial discrimination during her time working on films. When interviewed byThe New York Times,Dobson said,

“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. It makes you angry! Yes, It's much tougher being black than being woman.”[8]

Health and death

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Dobson was diagnosed withmultiple sclerosisin 2000.[2][3]She died on October 2, 2006, at Keswick Multi-Care Center inBaltimore, Maryland,[3]of complications frompneumoniaand multiple sclerosis, at age 59.[2][9][10]Dobson never married or had children.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1972 Come Back, Charleston Blue Uncredited[9]
1972 Fuzz Rochelle
1973 Cleopatra Jones Cleopatra "Cleo" Jones
1975 Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold
1976 Norman... Is That You? Audrey
1977 Murder at the World Series Lisa TV movie
1979 Jason of Star Command Samantha 12 episodes
1979 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Delora Bayliss 1 episode
1983 Chained Heat Duchess
1984 Amazons Rosalund Joseph (final film role)

References

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  1. ^abLentz III, Harris M. (24 October 2008).Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2006: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre.McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers.ISBN9780786452118.Retrieved2018-06-11.
  2. ^abcdMcCann, Bob (21 December 2009).Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television (Tamara Dobson).McFarland.ISBN9780786458042.Retrieved2018-06-11.
  3. ^abcde"(JET Magazine) Tamara Dobson, 59: Known For 'Cleopatra Jones' Film Roles".Google Books.Johnson Publishing Company. 23 October 2006.Retrieved2018-06-11.
  4. ^abcde"Smart, Tall and Beautiful, Tamara Dobson | African American Registry".www.aaregistry.org.Retrieved2015-12-05.
  5. ^"Tamara Dobson, 59; Former Model Starred in 'Cleopatra Jones' Movies".The Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2011-01-30.
  6. ^abThompson, M. Cordell (13 September 1973)."(JET Magazine) Tamara Dobson: Tall, Tough And Talented Actor".Google Books.Retrieved2018-06-11.
  7. ^David Michael Ettlin (October 6, 2006)."Cleopatra Jones star Tamara Dobson dies at 59".Houston Chronicle.Retrieved2011-01-30.
  8. ^Klemesrud, Judy (August 19, 1973)."Tamara Dobson—Not Super Fly But Super Woman".The New York Times.RetrievedJune 17,2023.
  9. ^ab"Tamara Dobson, 59, Model and Actress, Dies".The New York Times.October 6, 2006.Retrieved2011-01-30.
  10. ^"Actress Tamara Dobson, 59, starred as 'Cleopatra Jones'".Baltimore Sun.October 5, 2006.Retrieved2011-01-30.
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