Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Pam Grier

Discover the career path of Pam Grier, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Pam Grier is an American actress, singer, and martial artist renowned as cinema's first female action star. She rose to prominence in the 1970s through her leading roles in action, blaxploitation, and women-in-prison films produced by American International Pictures and New World Pictures. Her work has garnered her nominations for prestigious awards, including Emmy, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, Satellite, and Saturn Awards, solidifying her impact on the film industry.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1967: Moved to Los Angeles and hired at American International Pictures

In 1967, Pam Grier moved to Los Angeles, California, and was initially hired to work the switchboard at American International Pictures (AIP).

1971: Starred in The Big Doll House and Women in Cages

In 1971, Pam Grier starred in *The Big Doll House* and *Women in Cages*, marking early roles in her film career.

1971: Cast in Women-in-Prison Films

In 1971, Pam Grier was cast in Roger Corman women-in-prison films such as *The Big Doll House* and *Women in Cages*.

1972: Starred in The Big Bird Cage

In 1972, Pam Grier starred in *The Big Bird Cage*.

1973: Starred in Coffy

In 1973, Pam Grier starred in Hill's *Coffy*, playing a nurse seeking revenge on drug dealers, marking the beginning of her roles as bold, assertive women in blaxploitation films. The film was a box-office hit, and Grier is considered the first African-American woman to headline an action film.

1973: Starred in Coffy and Scream Blacula Scream

In 1973, Pam Grier starred in the films *Coffy* and *Scream Blacula Scream*, marking significant roles in her career.

1974: Starred in Foxy Brown

In 1974, Pam Grier played similar characters in the AIP film *Foxy Brown*.

1974: Starred in Foxy Brown and The Arena

In 1974, Pam Grier played the lead role in *Foxy Brown* and appeared in *The Arena*, further establishing her presence in the film industry.

1975: Starred in Sheba, Baby and Friday Foster

In 1975, Pam Grier starred in the AIP films *Sheba, Baby* and *Friday Foster*, continuing her trend of playing strong female characters.

1981: Appeared in Fort Apache, The Bronx

In 1981, Pam Grier appeared in a smaller role as a druggie prostitute in *Fort Apache, The Bronx*.

1983: Appeared in Something Wicked This Way Comes

In 1983, Pam Grier played a witch in *Something Wicked This Way Comes*.

1985: Recurring Role on Miami Vice

From 1985, Pam Grier had a recurring role on *Miami Vice* until 1989.

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1985: Theatrical Debut in Fool for Love

In 1985, Pam Grier made her theatrical debut in Sam Shepard's *Fool for Love* at the Los Angeles Theatre Center.

1986: Recurring Role in Crime Story

Between 1986 and 1988, Pam Grier had a recurring role in the TV series *Crime Story*.

1988: Appeared in Above the Law and Rocket Gibraltar

In 1988, Pam Grier returned to film as Steven Seagal's detective partner in *Above the Law*. She also appeared in *Rocket Gibraltar*, but her role was cut due to concerns about interracial love scenes.

1989: Recurring Role on Miami Vice Ended

In 1989, Pam Grier's recurring role on *Miami Vice* ended.

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1994: Appeared in Snoop Dogg's video for Doggy Dogg World

In 1994, Pam Grier appeared in Snoop Dogg's video for *Doggy Dogg World*.

1996: Appeared in Escape from L.A.

In 1996, Pam Grier appeared in John Carpenter's *Escape from L.A.*, a film that paid homage to her 1970s blaxploitation films.

1996: Appeared in Escape from L.A. and Mars Attacks!

In 1996, Pam Grier appeared in the films *Escape from L.A.* and *Mars Attacks!*.

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1997: Starred in Jackie Brown

In 1997, Pam Grier starred in Quentin Tarantino's *Jackie Brown*, a film that partly paid homage to her 1970s blaxploitation films. She received numerous award nominations for her work in the film.

1998: Portrayed Eleanor Winthrop in Linc's

In 1998, Pam Grier began portraying Eleanor Winthrop in the Showtime comedy-drama series *Linc's*.

1999: Appeared in Jawbreaker and Holy Smoke!

In 1999, Pam Grier appeared in the films *Jawbreaker* and *Holy Smoke!*.

1999: Praised for work in Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

In 1999, Pam Grier received praise for her work in the animated series *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child*.

2000: Continued portrayal of Eleanor Winthrop in Linc's

Pam Grier continued her role as Eleanor Winthrop in the Showtime comedy-drama series *Linc's* through 2000.

2001: Appeared in Bones

In 2001, Pam Grier appeared in the film *Bones*.

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2004: Portrayed Kate Porter on The L Word

In 2004, Pam Grier began portraying Kate "Kit" Porter on the Showtime drama series *The L Word*.

March 2009: The L Word series ended

In March 2009, *The L Word* series ended, in which Pam Grier played Kit Porter. The series ran for six seasons.

2009: Concluded role as Kate Porter on The L Word

In March 2009, Pam Grier concluded her role as Kate "Kit" Porter on the Showtime drama series *The L Word*.

2010: Appeared in Just Wright

In 2010, Pam Grier appeared in the film *Just Wright*.

2010: Recurring Role on Smallville

In 2010, Pam Grier began appearing in a recurring role on the science-fiction series *Smallville* as Amanda Waller, also known as White Queen.

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2010: Wrote Memoir: Foxy: My Life in Three Acts

In 2010, Pam Grier wrote her memoir, *Foxy: My Life in Three Acts*, with Andrea Cagan.

Foxy: My Life in Three Acts

Check it on Amazon

2011: Appeared in Larry Crowne

In 2011, Pam Grier appeared as a friend and colleague to Julia Roberts' character in the film *Larry Crowne*.

2011: Museum named first garden in her honor

In 2011, The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum named its first garden in honor of Pam Grier. Grier founded the Pam Grier Community Garden and Education Center with the Museum to teach people about organic gardening, health, and nutrition.