Cleopatra Jones dead at 59

Tamara Dobson, the 6-foot 2-inch tall model-turned-actress who portrayed Cleopatra Jones in two "blaxploitation" films, died Monday of complications from pneumonia and multiple sclerosis at the Keswick Multi-Care Center. Dobson appeared in such movies as Fuzz, Murder at the World Series, and Chained Heat, but is best known for playing the kung-fu fighting government agent Jones in 1973, and reprising the role in 1975's Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold. According to IMDB, the Guinness Book of World Records has recognized Dobson as the tallest leading lady ever in film. She had roles in the sci-fi series Jason of Star Command and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Jones was diagnosed six years ago with multiple sclerosis and spent the last two years of her life at the multi-care center. She was 59.

Sources: Associated Press, IMDB, WebMD