In fact, she broke ground as the first female lead in successful blaxploitation flicks, proving every bit the draw that male actors like Richard Roundtree Shaft, 1971 , Bernie Casey Hit Man, 1972 , Ron O'Neal Super Fly, 1972 , Jim Brown Slaughter, 1972 , and Fred Williamson Black Caesar, 1973.
Grier starred as the titular character in Quentin Tarantino's 1997 crime film Jackie Brown, for which she received a Satellite Award and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.