Along with Pam Grier and Tamara Dobson, Vonetta McGee was an accomplished and charismatic Black actress who was relegated to starring roles in Black action films. Vonetta was diabolically seductive in Blacula and brought Shakti balance to Fred Williamson’s hyped up yang in Hammer. A fine actress with untapped potential, Vonetta could not break free of the Blaxploitation ghetto.
 
Though having starred in the genre, Ms. McGee denounced the term “blaxploitation.”

It wasn’t the “black” that troubled her — that was a source of pride. It was the “exploitation.”

Promoting her 1972 film, Hammer, Vonetta, radiates a powerful vibe that has Soul Train host Don Cornelius totally mesmerized.
 

 
Blaxploitation is no longer a dirty word, having informed, influenced and inspired the films of John Carpenter, Tarantino, The Hughes Brothers, John Singleton, Spike Lee, Robert Rodriguez and dozens more. Thank you Vonetta.
 
Vonetta died on July 9 in Berkeley, Calif. She was 65.