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"I didn't want [him] to feel that [his] talent [was] based on drugs. Women should know that if you have a boyfriend who has been indulging in cocaine for a long time, much of the cocaine stays in his prostate gland and can cause problems. It is really what broke [us] up. I told [Richard], "You're gonna have to wear a condom when we make love." He said that was something he did not want to do. I hate to be so graphic, but our grandmother and mothers don't tell us these things."
– Actress Pam Grier talks to Ebony magazine about her relationship with the late comic Richard Pryor in an interview to promote her new memoir, 'Foxy: My Life in Three Acts.'
In other news, the 60-year-old beauty recently joined the cast of CW's 'Smallville.' Read: 'Pam Grier: Blaxploitation Icon to Join Cast of TV's 'Smallville.'
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For related stories, read: 'Frankly Speaking: Sade Addresses Critics Who Say She Can't Sing'
& 'Frankly Speaking: Miki Howard Talks Cougars.'
Blaxploitation Era Icons: Where Are They Now?
Blaxploitation Era Icons: Where Are They Now?
The 1970s represented the dawning of a new era for African Americans, specifically in Hollywood as a deluge of movies centering on empowerment, pride and vengeance hit the mainstream. Showing a glimpse of inner-city realism and over-the-top glamour, films starring (l-r) Fred Williamson, Pam Grier and Richard Roundtree became box-office sensations. But whatever happened to the stars of the films now known as blaxploitation flicks? BlackVoices.com offers a glimpse.
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Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
Shortly before he made a name for himself as Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington in TVs 'Welcome Back Kotter,' this New York City native starred in black cinema classics such as 'Cooley High.' The movie is about two students at Edwin J. Cooley High School whose carefree lives take a turn for the worse through several twists of fate.
Everett Collection
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs: Now
Hilton-Jacobs would later gain more recognition for his portrayal of Joseph Jackson in ABC's highly rated miniseries 'The Jacksons: An American Dream.' He has also guest starred on TV shows such as 'Moesha,' 'Girlfriends' and 'That's So Raven.'
Bobby Bank, Getty Images
Pam Grier
Nobody defined the blaxploitation era better than this voluptuous woman from Winston-Salem, N.C. Discovered by director Roger Corman, Grier starred in many cult classics such as 1973's 'Coffy,' 1974's 'Foxy Brown' and 1975's 'Friday Foster,' which also starred Eartha Kitt, Carl Weathers and Godfrey Cambridge.
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Pam Grier: Now
Following a strong supporting role as Steven Seagal's detective partner in 1988's 'Above the Law,' Grier received critical acclaim in the title role in Quentin Tarantino's 1997 film 'Jackie Brown,' which led to a Screen Actors Guild nomination for outstanding performance by an actress in a leading role. Since 2004, she has starred in the Showtime television series 'The L Word' as Kit Porter.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images
Antonio Fargas
This New York native made a string of blaxploitation films in the early 1970s, including the classic 'Shaft' (1971), 'Across 110th Street' (1972) and the Pam Grier film 'Foxy Brown' (1974). Vargas would then gain more recognition for his role as Huggy Bear on TV's 'Starsky and Hutch.'
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Antonio Fargas: Now
Fargas continues to act today and has appeared on TV's 'Everyone Hates Chris' for the last few seasons. His son, Justin, is a running back for the Oakland Raiders. Fargas is slated to appear in the film 'Once Fallen' alongside Taraji P. Henson and Ed Harris.
Dave Hogan, Getty Images
Fred Williamson
A star defensive back for the Oakland Raiders during the 1960s, this Gary, Ind., native, who was nicknamed "The Hammer," went on to become a major star during the blaxploitation days. Not only did he appear in 1973's 'Black Caesar,' but he also teamed up with fellow football player turned actor Jim Brown in 1974's 'Three the Hard Way,' 1975's 'Take a Hard Ride,' 1982's 'One Down, Two to Go' and 1996's 'Original Gangstas.'
Everett Collection
Fred Williamson: Now
Williamson is still working as an actor, most notably working alongside George Clooney in 1995's 'From Dusk Til Dawn' and 2004's 'Starsky and Hutch' with Snoop Dogg.
Thos Robinson, Getty Images for AFM
Ken Norton
A former heavyweight boxing champion and member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, Norton was one of the few fighters who defeated the great Muhammad Ali. He made his film debut in 1975 as Mede, the slave trained to be a prize fighter in 'Mandingo.'
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Comments: (54)
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By: deborah on 3/31/2010 6:44PM
She should have kept that to herself. He is not here to defend hisself and let him rest in PEACE!!
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By: Greg on 4/05/2010 2:35PM
I have to agree with you. The man is long gone, and as you say can't defend himself. Who's to say other than "her" that they even had a relationship?
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By: kheru on 4/05/2010 4:05PM
Defend HIMself from what? Is the fact that he used drugs and that drug use deteriorated his health, some kind of a closely guarded secret? She's talking about something that happened in her life too, not telling something that happened to two other people. She's talking about herself and a man she was with, who happened to be a well-known, drug-destroyed, white-woman loving comic who told a lot of nasty jokes about women, and used the N word a whole lot. So? Why does he need defending by anyone? He did what he wanted to do and did it in public.
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By: M. Alexander on 4/05/2010 9:19PM
I agree but we all know Pryor had a drug problem so it's not like she's revealing something no one knew !
Even if we here, what defense could he use !
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By: mike on 4/06/2010 2:42AM
the old hoe should be QUIET.
BEEB QUIET, STAT QUIET
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By: "DimePiece" on 3/31/2010 11:24PM
debeorah, I too agree.
Pam should have kept that to herself. That was TOO MUCH INFORMATION. But going through some of the pics above, that performance of Usher on Good America was a HOT MESS! Usher was pitchy all over the place. He can't sing and dance at the same time. I just seen him on America Idol and again, the performance was a HOT MESS! Diddy performed better than him and I don't even care too much for him. Ricky Martin came out of the closet. He should have kept that to himself. I guess there ain't no "Viva La Loca", here for the ladies. I guess now he is shakin his "Boom Boom" for his boy toy. I Macy Grey's hairstyle will never change? There goes Mary J Blige singin more drama on the stage. Mary is still my girl. The Luda pic, all what comes to my mind is "How low can you go". (song). I guess LaLa got tired of the Cassie looked and grew her hair or rather glued her hair back on? Serena is my girl but, blonde is not her color. Look at Kelly lookin all innocent, NOT.:-) Look yall, I'Z tired of KimTRASHian's STANK CHEAP HOOKER SHOES!!! ENUF!!!! Chris Brown looks happy these days. Maybe ONE DAY, people will be watching him?
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By: BlackAmericanPrincess on 4/01/2010 8:44AM
BRAVO Pam, for not being afraid and caring enough to speak out. It's sheer nonsense to say that she should have "kept that to herself". Sheer stupidity. Like the sister said, your mommas and your grandmommas don't tell you this stuff; oftenstimes they don't have this information THEMSELEVES! Someone comes along and shares with women (especailly black women), something that could unbeknowest to them, wreck their health, and these fool azz women respond with "she should have kept that to herself" and "too much information". SMDH. Like I said... stupidity. Also, you can CAN that shyt about Richard Pryor not being present to defend himself. Richard had a lifelong drug addiction and sexually he could be described as lascivious. The man was a career crackhead, and everybody knew/knows this. So, what exactly did Pam say, that Richard could "defend" against?? LOL. He loved cocaine.. he loved unprotected sex.. sounds like she may have found out the hard way how harmful having unprotected sex with a man who used cocaine day in and day out really was for her.. she tells him he'll have to wrap it up when they are intimate... he throws a bytch about it, and refuses to wear a condom, which leads to there eventual break-up. The results? She's still alive and well, and killing it at 60! And Richard Pryor? He is... dead. LOL! Thanks a bunch for the information Foxy Brown!
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By: susie on 4/01/2010 11:57AM
you are right and i think pam is very right to teach the younger ones especially now with hiv so rampant in our community if one person is saved from that dreadful disease by demanding condom use not only for drug abusers but even with ( the slightest suspicion )husbands (trust me i was saved) , boyfriends, anyone then Pam would have done her duty of each one teach one , it's better to risk offending him/her than to regret not looking out for yourself ,then all they can say then is "i'm sorry " those words don;t go very far when you are sitting there with HIV+ RESULTS IN YOUR HAND.
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By: deborah on 4/05/2010 1:30PM
she has so many years while he was alive to say what she is saying now! Why wait now, oh she is selling her book and negativity sells!! Yes everyone knows he did drugs he said it hisself, but the man is dead and gone, I hope no one come to your funeral and puts all your skeletons out there cause we all have them! She could have left his name out....and miss me with the name calling I'm above that!
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By: Bitter Brotha on 4/06/2010 8:37AM
You hit it right on the head! No more need to be said! I don't no you, but I like your stile> Thanks for the info. And all of you who disagree I feel sorry for you.
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