Who is Pam Grier? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Pamela Suzette Grier

Age: 76 Years, 76 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970–73) Richard Pryor

father: Clarence Grier

mother: Gwendolyn Grier

siblings: Gina Grier-Townsie, Rodney Grier

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'8" (173 cm), 5'8" Females

U.S. State: North Carolina

Ancestry: Chinese Australian, Filipino American

Notable Alumni: Metropolitan State College

City: Winston-Salem, North Carolina

More Facts

education: Metropolitan State College

Recommended For You

1

What movies did Pam Grier star in during the 1970s?

Pam Grier starred in iconic 1970s films such as "Coffy," "Foxy Brown," "Sheba, Baby," "Black Mama, White Mama," and "Friday Foster."
2

Did Pam Grier do her own stunts in her movies?

Yes, Pam Grier performed many of her own stunts in her movies, showcasing her physical abilities and dedication to her roles.
3

What impact did Pam Grier have on the representation of Black women in cinema?

Pam Grier is celebrated for breaking stereotypes and paving the way for strong, independent Black female characters in cinema, challenging traditional portrayals.
4

Was Pam Grier involved in any activism or social causes during her career?

Yes, Pam Grier has been an advocate for various social causes, including women's rights, environmental issues, and health awareness campaigns, using her platform to raise awareness.
5

How did Pam Grier's roles in blaxploitation films influence popular culture?

Pam Grier's roles in blaxploitation films influenced popular culture by inspiring future filmmakers, musicians, and artists to explore themes of empowerment, identity, and cultural representation.

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Childhood & Early life

Pam Grier was born on May 26, 1949 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Gwendolyn Sylvia, a homemaker and a nurse, and Clarence Ransom Grier, Jr., Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force. She has one sister and one brother.

Due to the military career of her father, she lived in England and various other places during her childhood and finally settled in Denver. She was raped at the age of six at her aunt’s house.

Pam Grier did his schooling from the East High School in Denver Grier and dreamed of becoming a doctor.

She attended the Metropolitan State College at Denver and appeared in a number of stage productions and beauty contests to raise money for her college education.

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Career

Pam Grier started working as a receptionist at American International Pictures (AIP) in Los Angeles, California. She made her film debut with a brief role in the 1970 movie ‘Beyond the Valley of the Dolls’.

Director Jake Hill discovered her talent and gave her starring roles in his women in prison films: ‘The Big Doll House’ (1971) and ‘The Big Bird Cage’ (1972). She also starred in ‘Black Mama White Mama’ and ‘Scream Blacula Scream’ in 1973.

Pam Grier began her journey of blaxploitation movies in 1970s with Jack Hill’s ‘Coffy’ in 1973. She played similar characters in ‘Foxy Brown’ (1974), ‘Sheba, Baby’ (1975) and ‘Friday Foster’ (1975).

With the demise of blaxploitation, Pam appeared in smaller roles in ‘Drum’ (1976), ‘Greased Lightning’ (1977) and ‘Twilight of Love’ (1977).

She then played larger characters in mainstream blockbusters ‘Fort Apache, The Bronx’ in 1981 and ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ in 1983.

Pam Grier starred in ‘Tough Enough’ (1983), ‘The Vindicator’ (1984), ‘Badge of the Assassin’ (1985) and ‘Stand Alone’ (1985). She had a recurring role in the TV series ‘Miami Vice’ from 1985-1990 and in ‘Crime Story’ from 1986 to 1988.

She played the role of Steven Seagal’s detective patner in ‘Above the Law’ (1988). Grier acted in ‘The Package’ (1989), ‘Class of 1999’ (1990), ‘Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey’ (1991) and ‘Posse’ (1993).

Pam Grier made guest appearances on sitcoms: ‘Martin’, ‘Night Series’ and ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’.

In 1996, she acted in comic science fiction film ‘Mars Attack’, science fiction action film ‘Escape from L.A.’ and action-gangster film 'Original Gangstas'.

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Pam Grier had the biggest role of her career in 1997 in the crime thriller film ‘Jackie Brown’. Here performance in the film earner her many awards and nominations.

She gave power-packed performance in the comedy series ‘Linc's’ (1999) and in the television mini-series ‘3 A.M’ in 2000.

Her performance in the animated program ‘Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child’ in 2000 was highly appreciated. She also gave impactful performance in the motion picture ‘Bones’ in 2001.

She played Asst. US Attorney Claudia Williams in a drama series ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ in 2002. Grier had a recurring role in the TV series ‘The L Word’ from 2004-09.

Pam Grier appeared in the television film ‘Ladies of the House’ in 2008 and three episodes of ‘Smallville’ in 2010. She played a friend and colleague of Julia Roberts in ‘Larry Crowne’ in 2011.

She acted in the martial arts film ‘The Man with the Iron Fists’ in 2012 and the television film ‘Cleveland Abduction’ in 2015.

Major Works

Pam Grier is best known for her performance in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Jackie Brown’ in 1997. She received San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress and Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

Her work in the comedy series ‘Linc’s’ (1999) and in the television special ‘3 A.M.’ (2000) was also widely appreciated.

Her supporting act in the drama series ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ and ‘The L Word’ was also critically acclaimed.

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Awards & Achievements

Pam Grier won the San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress for ‘Jackie Brown’ in 1997.

She was nominated for NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for ‘Linc’s’ in 1999.

She was nominated for Black Reel Award and NAACP Image Award for Best Actress for ‘3 A.M.’ in 2000.

She was nominated for NAACP Image Award for her supporting act in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ (2003-2004) and ‘The L Word’ (2005-2006, 2008).

She received her Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2011. She also received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Langston University, the same year.

Personal Life & Legacy

Pam Grier dated basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from 1970 to 1973 and comedian Richard Pryor from 1975 to 78. She was engaged to music executive Kevin Evans in 1998 but the engagement ended in 1999.

She dated marketing executive Peter Hempel from 2000 to 2008. She currently lives in Colorado.

Facts About Pam Grier

Pam Grier is an accomplished equestrian and has a passion for horseback riding.

She is a skilled chef and enjoys cooking up delicious meals in her spare time.

Pam Grier is a dedicated environmental advocate and works to promote sustainability and conservation efforts.

She is a talented painter and has showcased her artwork in various galleries.

Pam Grier is a huge animal lover and has several rescue pets that she adores.

Pam Grier Biography

You wanted to know

What movies did Pam Grier star in during the 1970s?

Did Pam Grier do her own stunts in her movies?

What impact did Pam Grier have on the representation of Black women in cinema?

Was Pam Grier involved in any activism or social causes during her career?

How did Pam Grier's roles in blaxploitation films influence popular culture?