The late Tamara Dobson, gracing the cover of Life Magazine in 1969.
These iconic images of Tamara Dobson are really popular in the natural hair world, so I thought I’d do a little background research to find out more. I learned more about her life from this PR NewsWire article;
Ms. Dobson was a former beautician who earned a degree in fashion illustration from the Maryland Institute of Art. She went on to work as a professional model, appearing in magazines such as Vogue, Essence and Mademoiselle. She also graced the cover of Redbook and posed for a legendary fashion spread in Ebony magazine sporting her signature giant Afro. In addition to appearing in television commercials, she served as the face of Faberge’s “Tigress” for several years, and she appeared in ads for both Chanel and Revlon’s “Charlie” perfumes.
Ms. Dobson launched her film career in 1972 with a small role in “Fuzz,” playing Yul Brynner’s girlfriend (the film also starred Burt Reynolds and Raquel Welch). Her big break came in 1973 when she was cast in the title, pioneering role of “Cleopatra Jones,” opposite Shelley Winters, Bernie Casey and Antonio Fargas… Her character inspired the creation of other tough, black female leads in movies such as “Coffey,” “Foxy Brown,” “Get Christie Love,” and “Black Belt Jones,” and Cleopatra Jones was parodied in “Austin Powers in Goldmember” (2002), which starred Mike Myers and Beyonce Knowles as Foxxy Cleopatra.
In 1975 Ms. Dobson reprised her super spy role in “Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold.” A federal agent fighting the drug trade in the United States and abroad… Known for her 3-foot-wide hat brims, colorful garb and flowing fur robes, Cleopatra Jones’ penchant for exotic clothing and super-sized Afros inspired mid-1970s fashion trends, including the popular waist-length, leather-trimmed fur jackets.
Boasting measurements of 38-26-39 at the peak of her career, Ms. Dobson, who also trained in martial arts, cut a stunning figure. At 6 feet, 2 inches tall, she was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest leading lady in film.
