History of Pam Grier in Timeline
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.
May 26, 1949: Pam Grier's Birth
On May 26, 1949, Pamela Suzette Grier was born. She is an American actress, singer, and martial artist who is also considered cinema's first female action star.
1956: Moved to Swindon
In 1956, Pam Grier's family moved to Swindon due to her father's military career, where he worked on an air force base.
1958: Family returned to the United States
In 1958, Pam Grier's family returned to the United States when her father was transferred to Travis Air Force Base in California, eventually settling in Denver.
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).
1969: Met Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
In 1969, Pam Grier met basketball player Ferdinand Lewis (Lew) Alcindor, who later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He proposed marriage, but Grier refused to convert to Islam, leading to their separation.
1969: Experienced Segregation in the US Until 1969
Pam Grier recalled that up until 1969, she and her father were not allowed to try on clothing at certain department stores in the U.S., highlighting the segregation they faced.
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.
1973: Relationship with Freddie Prinze
While promoting her film Coffy in 1973, Pam Grier met comedian Freddie Prinze and began a relationship. They considered marriage, but she was reluctant due to his struggles with depression and drug addiction. She remained in touch with him until his death.
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.
1977: Relationship with Richard Pryor
In 1977, Pam Grier began dating Richard Pryor after they were both cast in *Greased Lightning*. She helped him learn to read and tried to help him with his drug abuse. He relapsed after six months of sobriety and married Deborah McGuire while still dating Grier.
1977: Freddie Prinze's death
In 1977, Pam Grier was one of the last people Freddie Prinze spoke to before his death.
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.
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.
1988: Diagnosed with Cervical Cancer
In 1988, Pam Grier was diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer and was given 18 months to live. She recovered through treatment and has since been in remission.
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!*.
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*.
1998: Engaged to Kevin Evans
In 1998, Pam Grier was engaged to RCA Records executive Kevin Evans.
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*.
1999: Engagement to Kevin Evans Ended
In 1999, Pam Grier's engagement to RCA Records executive Kevin Evans ended.
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.
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.
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.
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: Received Honorary Doctorates
In 2011, Pam Grier received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and an honorary Doctorate of Science from Langston University.
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.
2012: Essence Magazine on revolutionary characters
In 2012, Essence magazine highlighted the revolutionary nature of the characters Pam Grier portrayed, noting their impact on women.
2016: Named one of the best actors without an Academy Award nomination
In 2016, IndieWire recognized Pam Grier as one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination.
January 2018: Biopic Pam in the works
In January 2018, Pam Grier mentioned that a biopic based on her memoir, entitled *Pam*, was in development.
2019: Portrayed Constance Terry in Bless This Mess
In 2019, Pam Grier began portraying Constance Terry in the ABC sitcom *Bless This Mess*.
2020: Concluded role as Constance Terry in Bless This Mess
In 2020, Pam Grier concluded her role as Constance Terry in the ABC sitcom *Bless This Mess*.
April 2022: Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Announced Podcast Focus on Grier's Life and Career
In April 2022, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) announced that the fourth season of their podcast, *The Plot Thickens*, would focus on Pam Grier's life and career.
2024: Quentin Tarantino Coffee Shop Homage
For Valentine's Day 2024, Quentin Tarantino opened a Los Feliz coffee shop named after Coffy, the 1973 character famously portrayed by Pam Grier, as an homage to her.
2024: Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2024, Pam Grier was recognized with a lifetime achievement award at the Toronto Black Film Festival for the culture-shaping effect of her career's cultural contributions.
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