Tamara 'Cleopatra Jones' Dobson Passes Away at 59 - 3:35 p.m.

Have you ever wondered how you'll be remembered when that final day comes? Whether by accident, murder or natural causes something has to be said at the funeral service. If you've made an impact on a level beyond your family, say in your community or people own your albums, movies or on bigger levels, like you invented Google, then it'll get coverage in the press. Though many people have no idea who Tamara Dobson is or have even see her movies, her portrayal of Cleopatra Jones is how she'll forever be remembered.

"Tamara who?" 'Cleopatara Jones!"
"Ohhh. OK."

Nothing mind-bending or life-changing, but reflect back.. How will you be remembered?"

Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1947, as a teenager she appeared in a high school fashion show. After graduating her interest in all things beautiful drove her to get a degree in fashion illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art. One day walking through a local department store, the statuesque 6'2 Tamara caught the eye of a store employee. Want a mind picture? Think Redd Foxx. The employee suggested that she become a model. This was late 60's, early 70's, Tyra wasn't holding Top Model auditions at that time, so Tamara hit the bricks and whadda ya know? Doors opened.

She appeared in Vogue, Essence, Mademoiselle, Redbook and Ebony magazine. She was in television commercials, the face of Faberge's "Tigress" line and also appeared in ads for Chanel and Revlon. Her film career began in an uncredited role in Come Back, Charleston Blue. A year later she snagged the Cleopatra Jones role which spawned a sequel, Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold. The later of which writer Darius James described in That's Blaxploitation..

"The real spectacle in this Warner/Shaw Bros. China-lensed co-production is Ms. Dobson's rapid-fire wardrobe changes - which, I'm convinced, elevated her status in the Black pop pantheon to "Patron Saint of Harlem Drag Queens." When it comes time to launch RuPaul's movie career the point won't be lost on some enterprising young producer, who'll not only insure the remake is infused with all the campy gusto it deserves but will remember to cast Joan Rivers as a tyrannical, crack-smoking drug lord!"

Of course that Rupaul remake - thank god - never happened.

By the mid 70's the blaxploitation era fizzled out; Cleopatra Jones was pretty much the end of her movie career. She appeared in a few TV shows and reappeared in Chained Heat, but didn't get the boost to her career in the 90's that Pam Grier did when hip-hop artists started referencing every cool-sounding name on video store shelves. Biggie Smalls?.. Chris W. came up with that after a smoke session viewing of Let's Do It Again.

When her career died down she lived a low-key but active life in New York. At 53 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which worsened to the point that 2 years ago it was necessary for her to check into Keswick Multi-Care Center, where this Monday she passed away.

At the announcement of her passing yesterday, Tamara's brother said.. "It was tough going through that debilitating disease, especially with her athleticism and involvement in karate. That was something she had to fight, and that fight was horrendous -- and being a proud individual, the fight was even harder for her."

Maybe that Cleopatra Jones remake will see the light of day. I say Halle Berry, although Vivica Fox would scratch an eye out for any role where she can kick ass - see her small part in Kill Bill.

R.I.P. Tamara - Stay away from Redd Foxx. He'll sneak a peak and a taste if you're not careful.

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