--- name: "Pam Grier" canonical: "https://film.one/person/pam-grier" fi1m_id: "pam-grier" imdb_id: "nm0000427" tmdb_id: 2230 wikidata_id: "Q233862" roles: ["Actor"] born: "26 May 1949" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 59 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-10-04T23:28:41.389749+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Pam Grier ## Identity Pam Grier - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/pam-grier - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** pam-grier - **IMDb ID:** nm0000427 - **TMDB ID:** 2230 - **Wikidata ID:** Q233862 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pam_Grier, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q233862, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000427/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2230 Actor. Born 26 May 1949 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 26 May 1949, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA - **Active:** 1981–2002 - **Also known as:** Pam Greer , Pamela Grier, Pamela Suzette Grier, Mama G, Pamala Grier - **Average Fi1m score:** 59, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 56 (1), 1990s 69 (3), 2000s 32 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 60 to 54 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 3 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Action 3, Drama 3, Comedy 2, Crime 2, Science Fiction 2, Adventure 1 - **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $268m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pam_Grier, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q233862, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000427/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2230 ## Streaming the US now - **Tubi:** [*Posse*](https://film.one/film/posse.md) (58) - **The Roku Channel:** [*The Adventures of Pluto Nash*](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md) (32) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Pam Grier > Pam Grier can keep her voice level and let the man opposite her mistake composure for weakness. Her action roles made the case for fighting back; *Jackie Brown* gives us the richer pleasure of watching her think. In *Jackie Brown* (1997), Pam Grier holds her chin up and lets the men around her think they have the advantage. Her flight attendant has been caught carrying somebody else's money, but she does not play Jackie as a woman waiting to be told what to do. We rate her most highly here. Grier makes Jackie's composure feel learned through years of dealing with people who assume she can be pushed around. That resistance was more physical in the early action roles. After women-in-prison films for producer Roger Corman, *Coffy* (1973) and *Foxy Brown* (1974) made her prominent in blaxploitation cinema. She played Black women fighting exploitation and crime, with toughness and sexuality both central to their appeal. The stock pimps and pushers can limit those films, but Grier gives us a woman capable of taking charge rather than waiting to be rescued. After the action cycle declined, television and supporting film roles occupied much of the 1980s and early 1990s. Quentin Tarantino brought her back to a leading role with *Jackie Brown*, giving her a middle-aged working woman with limited options. He gets more from her by allowing her time to assess them. Grier lets the worry show without making Jackie surrender the composure she needs to get through a conversation. Robert Forster's bail bondsman is the partner this performance needs: someone who can watch without filling the silence. We were moved when he watches Jackie walk towards his car after jail, because his quiet attention gives her a consideration the men handling her case have not. Grier and Forster make that small encounter worth more than another explanation of the scam. Tarantino does not always know when to leave things alone. The repeated explanations of the plan and the sagging middle stretch make *Jackie Brown* longer than it needs to be, and we spend too much of it waiting for Grier to return. Give it an evening, with some patience for the stretches that do without her. ## Biography Pam Grier is an American actress. She rose to prominence in the 1970s with leading roles in blaxploitation and action films including *Coffy* (1973) and *Foxy Brown* (1974). She portrayed the title character, a flight attendant involved in a smuggling scheme, in Quentin Tarantino's *Jackie Brown* (1997). Grier has also appeared in films such as *Escape from L.A.* (1996) and television series including *The L Word* (2004–2009). *Sources: themoviedb.org, imdb.com, ew.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), Fi1m 32, as Flura Nash — [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md) - *Jackie Brown* (1997), Fi1m 83, as Jackie Brown — [page](https://film.one/film/jackie-brown.md) - *Mars Attacks!* (1996), Fi1m 66, as Louise Williams — [page](https://film.one/film/mars-attacks.md) - *Posse* (1993), Fi1m 58, as Phoebe — [page](https://film.one/film/posse.md) - *Fort Apache, the Bronx* (1981), Fi1m 56, as Charlotte — [page](https://film.one/film/fort-apache-the-bronx.md) ## Complete filmography (106) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Mystery Cuddlers* (2024), as Juniper - *As We Know It* (2023), as Beverly Jones - *Pet Sematary: Bloodlines* (2023), as Majorie Washburn - *Cinnamon* (2023), as Mama - *Them* (2021), series, as Athena - *The Great North* (2021), series, as Neckbone (voice) - *A Christmas Wish* (2019), as Mary - *Poms* (2019), as Olive - *Bless This Mess* (2019), series, as Constance - *Being Rose* (2017), as Lily - *Bad Grandmas* (2017), as Coralee - *This Is Us* (2016), series, as Grandma — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/this-is-us.md) - *Kings of Cult* (2015), as (archive footage) - *Cleveland Abduction* (2015), as Carla - *The Man with the Iron Fists* (2012), as Jane - *Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day* (2012), as Detective Barrick - *Larry Crowne* (2011), as Frances - *Bob's Burgers* (2011), series, as Evelyn (voice) - *Mafia* (2011), as James Womack - *Just Wright* (2010), as Janice Wright - *The Invited* (2010), as Zelda - *Ladies of the House* (2008), as Birdie - *Bad Girls Behind Bars* (2005), as Alabama (archive footage) - *Back in the Day* (2005), as Mrs. Cooper - *The L Word* (2004), series, as Kit Porter - *Love the Hard Way* (2003), as Linda Fox - *First to Die* (2003), as Claire Washburn - *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), as Flura Nash — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md) - *Justice League* (2001), series, as My'ria'h (voice) - *Feast of All Saints* (2001), as Suzette Lermontant - *Bones* (2001), as Pearl - *Smallville* (2001), series, as Amanda Waller — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/smallville.md) - *Strange Frequency* (2001), series, Actor - *Ghosts of Mars* (2001), as Commander Helena Braddock - *3 A.M.* (2001), as George - *Wilder* (2000), as Detective Della Wilder - *Fortress 2* (2000), as Susan Mendenhall - *Snow Day* (2000), as Tina - *No Tomorrow* (1999), as Diane - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Assistant US Attorney Claudia Williams - *Hayley Wagner, Star* (1999), as Sam - *Holy Smoke* (1999), as Carol - *In Too Deep* (1999), as Det. Angela Wilson - *Jawbreaker* (1999), as Detective Vera Cruz - *Family Blessings* (1998), as Mrs. Quincy - *Pete Rock: Soul Survivor* (1998), as Pam Grier - *The Wild Thornberrys* (1998), series, as Mother Springbok (voice) - *Linc's* (1998), series, as Eleanor Braithwaite Winthrop - *Paul Robeson: Speak of Me as I Am* (1998), as Narrator (voice) - *Jackie Brown* (1997), as Jackie Brown — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/jackie-brown.md) - *Fakin' Da Funk* (1997), as Annabelle Lee - *Strip Search* (1997), as Janette - *Mars Attacks!* (1996), as Louise Williams — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/mars-attacks.md) - *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor - *Escape from L.A.* (1996), as Hershe Las Palamas - *Original Gangstas* (1996), as Laurie Thompson - *Badass Supermama* (1996), as (archive footage) - *Serial Killer* (1995), as Capt. Maggie Davis - *Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child* (1995), series, as Nightingale (voice) - *The Wayans Bros.* (1995), series, as Erica - *The Sinbad Show* (1993), series, Actor - *Posse* (1993), as Phoebe — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/posse.md) - *A Mother's Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story* (1992), as Linda Holman - *Martin* (1992), series, as Pam Grier - *Pacific Station* (1991), series, as Grace Ballard - *Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey* (1991), as Ms. Wardroe - *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* (1990), series, as Janice - *Class of 1999* (1990), as Ms. Connors - *Chicago Joe and the Showgirl* (1990), Thanks - *The Package* (1989), as Ruth Butler - *Monsters* (1988), series, as Matilde - *Above the Law* (1988), as Delores 'Jacks' Jackson - *Frank's Place* (1987), series, as Neema Sharone - *The Allnighter* (1987), as Sargeant McLeish - *Crime Story* (1986), series, as Suzanne Terry - *On the Edge* (1986), as Cara - *The Vindicator* (1986), as Hunter - *Stand Alone* (1985), as Cathryn Bolan - *Badge of the Assassin* (1985), as Alexandra 'Alie' Horn - *The Cosby Show* (1984), series, as Samantha - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Valerie Gordon — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *Night Court* (1984), series, as Benet Collins - *Something Wicked This Way Comes* (1983), as Dust Witch - *Tough Enough* (1983), as Myra - *Fort Apache, the Bronx* (1981), as Charlotte — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/fort-apache-the-bronx.md) - *Knots Landing* (1979), series, as Lieutenant Guthrie - *Roots: The Next Generations* (1979), series, as Francey - *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Cynthia Wilbur - *Greased Lightning* (1977), as Mary Jones - *Twilight of Love* (1977), as Sandra - *Drum* (1976), as Regine - *Friday Foster* (1975), as Friday Foster - *Bucktown* (1975), as Aretha - *Sheba, Baby* (1975), as Sheba Shayne - *Foxy Brown* (1974), as Foxy Brown - *The Arena* (1974), as Mamawi - *Scream Blacula Scream* (1973), as Lisa Fortier - *Coffy* (1973), as Coffy - *Black Mama, White Mama* (1973), as Lee Daniels - *Hit Man* (1972), as Gozelda - *The Big Bird Cage* (1972), as Blossom - *The Twilight People* (1972), as Ayesa, the Panther Woman - *Cool Breeze* (1972), as Mona - *Women in Cages* (1971), as Alabama - *The Big Doll House* (1971), as Grear - *Beyond the Valley of the Dolls* (1970), as Fourth Woman ## Gallery - ![Pam Grier](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-8109543095a4.jpg) Pam Grier — Canadian Film Centre from Toronto, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/An_Evening_With_Pam_Grier_%286830131549%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Festival de cinema de Sitges 2018](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-b6795b4c799f.jpg) Festival de cinema de Sitges 2018 — Moritz Barcelona from Barcelona, Catalunya, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Festival_de_cinema_de_Sitges_2018_%2831305123378%29.jpg/1280px-Festival_de_cinema_de_Sitges_2018_%2831305123378%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![In conversation with Pam Grier (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-54715c28c1e1.jpg) In conversation with Pam Grier (2012) — Alan Langford, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/In_conversation_with_Pam_Grier_%286813791793%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Ms. magazine, Summer 2008 issue](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-f465f57533eb.jpg) Ms. magazine, Summer 2008 issue — Liberty Media for Women, LLC, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Ms._magazine_Cover_-_Summer_2008.jpg/1280px-Ms._magazine_Cover_-_Summer_2008.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Pam Grier](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-9bbd406b97c2.jpg) Pam Grier — Image via TMDB - ![Pam Grier](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-6a80b36647fd.jpg) Pam Grier — Image via TMDB - ![Pam Grier](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-3b373d8dcd8e.jpg) Pam Grier — Image via TMDB - ![Pam Grier with Mia Mask - BFI Southbank - Friday 9th September 2022](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-60eee5661518.jpg) Pam Grier with Mia Mask - BFI Southbank - Friday 9th September 2022 — Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/PamGrierBFI090922_%2810_of_17%29_%2852351187190%29.jpg/1280px-PamGrierBFI090922_%2810_of_17%29_%2852351187190%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Pam Grier with Mia Mask - BFI Southbank - Friday 9th September 2022](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-e9eb827ac10d.jpg) Pam Grier with Mia Mask - BFI Southbank - Friday 9th September 2022 — Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/PamGrierBFI090922_%2811_of_17%29_%2852350762721%29.jpg/1280px-PamGrierBFI090922_%2811_of_17%29_%2852350762721%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Pam Grier](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-246815c580e2.jpg) Pam Grier — Image via TMDB - ![Pam Grier](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-f0690008a3c7.jpg) Pam Grier — Image via TMDB - ![Pam Grier](https://film.one/media/person/9133/gallery-8cad0e694e37.jpg) Pam Grier — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Time Machine Award 2018: Time Machine Award (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/pam-grier