This is a little on the morbid side, but I was just sitting there thinking the other day that it's been a while since a celebrity of any significance to me has passed away. I guess you better be careful what you inadvertently wish for.
Tamara Dobson, better known as Cleopatra Jones, died Monday at the young 
age of 59 of complications of pneumonia and multiple sclerosis.
Even though I would have only been 3-years-old when "Cleopatra Jones" first came out, I remember first watching it when I was in junior high school as it came on cable. That movie was my first glimpse at the blaxpoitation genre.
I can still remember laughing at how ridiculous the fight scenes were yet inexplicably compelled to watch it anyway. Perhaps not that inexplicable because it was also the first movie I had seen where an African American was the hero of the movie. And a woman at that. So rest in peace, Tammy and thanks for the memories.
