Vonetta McGee, an actress who scaled the ranks of black Hollywood during blaxploitation film era of the 1970s, died after experiencing cardiac arrest and being on life support for two days. She was 65, though some have her year of birth listed as 1940.
Known to be outspoken herself, McGee didn't care too much for the blaxploitation label that was attached to many of the films of her heyday. The label, she said, was used "like racism, so you don't have to think of the individual elements, just the whole. If you study propaganda, you understand how this works."
McGee starred in the films "Blacula," "Hammer" and "Shaft in Africa." Her other credits include "Faustina," "Il Grande Silenzio," "The Lost Man," "The Kremlin Letter," "Detroit 9000," "Thomasine & Bushrod" "The Eiger Sanction,". Her small-screen credits include "Hell Town," "Bustin' Loose," "L.A. Law" and "Cagney & Lacey."
"She was a brilliant actor, with a distinctive style and grace," said Pam Grier. "I hope everyone revisits her films and enjoy."
January 14, 1945 – July 9, 2010
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