Tamara Janice Dobson

Tamara Janice Dobson was born a star; shining like the beautiful island of Ireland-green and Majestic. Outgoing, vivacious and talented as a child-ballet dancing her way with her mother's guidance into the brightly lit future that would soon be hers.Not only was she to become a llicensed cosmetologist like her mother before her, "Venus" Evelyn Russell Dobson winning several awards for styling hair. Tamara became a model as a result of earning a bachelors of arts degree in fashion illustration and design from the Maryland Institute of Art; ultimately appearing in such magazines as Vogue, Covers of Essence, Jet covers, Harper's Bazaar, Book Covers, as well as Penthouse, the face of Revlon, Charlie perfume and Faberge's Tigress campaign.Tamara's film career was launched in 1972 with a small part in "Fuzz" playing Yul Brynner's love interest; the film also stared Burt Reynolds and Raquel Welch. The big break came in her acting career when she received a groundbreaking opportunity from Warner Brothers to play "Cleopatra Jones", a premiere, first-class part in the black exploitation film genre. Starring Shelley Winters, Bernie Casey and Antonio Fargas; directed by Jack Starett; written and produces by Max Julien "The Mack." Tamara presentation in her first starring role was overwhelming. She excelled above her own expectations. Tamara was at the forefront of that genre of film that opened the door to roles for other black actress "Coffee", "Foxy Brown", and "Get Christie Love."In 1975 Tamara starred in the sequel to "Cleopatra Jones" In"a crossover star; the film, shown around the world made bazillions of dollars for Warner Brothers. The exotic clothing, wide brimmed hats were trendsetting establishing Tamara’s style throughout the 1970’s. Known as the world’s tallest leading lady by the Guinness Book of elegance. The ability to be blessed with a powerful aura and walk that literally moved people gracefully out of her way while walking down a crowded New York City street was awe inspiring. These are her film credits: “Come Back Charleston Blue” (1972) with Bill Cosby and Sidney Portier and Godfrey Cambridge; “Norman Is That You” (1976) with Redd Foxx and Pearl Bailey; “Murder at the World Series” Stevens and Linda Blair. Tamara also starred in television series and movies such as “Amazons,” directed by Paul Michael Glaser of “Starsky and Hutch” fame, “Jason of Star Command” and “Buck Roger’s in the 25th Century.”Tamara lived most of her life in New York City in the exclusive Carnegie Condominiums on 57th Street where Arthur Ashe also resided. The world rarely got a chance to envision a beautiful black woman like Tamara Dobson’s black female power, black movie power, and black monetary. With the brains, beauty and femininity to match these attributes, a powerful, strong and gorgeous smile, an absolute perfectionist in all aspects of her life including cleaning, cooking, working out and acting she stood above the rest.Black beauty personified, she was struck down and diagnosed with a degenerative disease thought to be multiple sclerosis in 1998. For eight years she fought valiantly with the help of her family members especially her sister Darylyn Evelyn Dobson, owner/cosmetologist of Evelyn Salon. Tamara is one of the children of the larger family of Dobson’s and Russell’s - Rev. Vernon Dobson of Union Baptist Church and Honorable Judge George Russell, both of Baltimore, MD. Not coming from poor sources she was a great joy to aunts, uncles and cousins in the time of her celebrity and spent as much time with family members as her busy schedule allowed.The community, the country, the world will surely miss this beautiful, essential black woman who had a power walk and a powerful, enduring spirit fighting for life eternal like the bright stars in the sky. She has passed on but not over and she will not be forgotten. Amen to that.Tamara is survived by Darylyn Evelyn Dobson B.K.A as the Black Rock Scottish Malloy; Peter Dobson; Aaron Dobson, 17; Alicia Dobson, 12; Valyn Dobson, 12; and Keleb Dobson, 10.

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Tamara Janice Dobson

May 14, 1947 - October 1, 2006