10 Amazing Ladies That Totally Rocked the Blaxploitation Era

The term blaxploitation was created by former film publicist Junius Griffin in the early 1970s. It is considered the first genre to regularly feature predominately all-Black casts as well as soundtracks that were comprised of soul and funk music. During this time, the storylines focused on a wide range of topics with underlying social and political commentary, including the war on “The Man” better known as white supremacy. To date, the genre’s role in helping shed light on race relations has been extremely controversial. Many critics believed the leading ladies of blaxploitation films were either perpetuating the stereotypes set forth by white America or shattered the glass ceiling by becoming a symbol for Black female identity and Black empowerment. Let’s take a look at some of the women pioneers from Pam Grier to Trina Parks who paved the way during the blaxploitation era. Actress Pam Grier in "Foxy Brown" Pam Grier As the original Foxy Brown, Pam Grier is most notably known for her roles in films such as Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974). Although heavily criticized, she went against societal standards by showcasing nudity and acting out violent scenes on the big screen. In 1997, she paid tribute to the blaxploitation era when cast in the movie Jackie Brown by film director Quentin Tarantino. Nichelle Nichols in the film "Truck Turner" Nichelle Nichols Prior to the blaxploitation era, Nichelle Nichols was a notable actress starring on screen as Lt. Uhura on Star Trek. Her only appearance during this time was alongside Isaac Hayes in the 1974 film Truck Turner. Actress Judy Pace Judy Pace Starring in films such as Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970), Judy Pace was considered the embodiment of Black beauty. As a popular actress throughout the '70s, her career has continued to soar with appearances on several television shows in recent years. Actress Trina Parks Trina Parks With a few roles under her belt during this era, Darktown Strutters (1975) is one of Trina Parks' most popular films. She became most well known as the first Black woman to become a Bond girl in Diamonds Are Forever (1971). Vonetta McGee playing a voodoo priestess in the 1972 film Blacula Vonetta McGee Launching her career in Italy during the late ‘60s, she began starring in blaxploitation films by landing leading roles in Blacula (1972), Melinda (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973). The starlet considered herself “one of the lucky graduates of the Black-film genre.” However, she openly admitted she wasn’t fond of the term, "blaxploitation,” because it was interchangeably used “like racism.” Actress Tamara Dobson Tamara Dobson Standing tall at 6-feet-2, Tamara Dobson was not only an actress but a model as well. She landed the coveted role as Cleopatra Jones in 1973. Unfortunately following this era, she received little to no work and eventually passed away at the age of 59 from complications due to pneumonia and multiple sclerosis. Actress Denise Nicholas Denise Nicholas Actress-turned-author Denise Nicholas starred in Blacula and The Soul of N***** Charley during her heyday in the 1970s. She was a series regular for six seasons on the hit show In the Heat of the Night before penning her first critically acclaimed novel in 2005 titled Freshwater Road. Actress Marlene Clark in the 1970s Marlene Clark Starring in numerous films throughout the late '60s to mid-'70s, her title role as Ganja in the horror film Ganja and Hess is considered one of her most noteworthy performances. Marlene Clark successfully transitioned from film to television by making guest appearances on dozens of television shows and portraying Janet Lawson, the fiancée of Lamont Sanford on the hit sitcom Sanford and Son. Actress Jeannie Bell Jeannie Bell After becoming the second Black Playboy Playmate in 1969, she began her short-lived acting career. One of her most popular films to date was playing the lead character in 1975’s T.N.T. Jackson. Teresa Graves as Detective Christie Love Teresa Graves Although she didn’t star in many blaxploitation films, Teresa Graves left an indelible mark on the roles she was involved in. Her major claim to fame came in 1974 when she was deemed as the first Black woman to star in her very own one-hour television drama series, Get Christie Love! She passed away in 2002 at the age of 54. Her untimely death was a result of injuries sustained from severe burns in a house fire.

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