Pam Grier: Blaxploitation Icon to Join Cast of TV's 'Smallville'

Pam Grier will return to television early next year -- and she'll be playing a bad guy.

Well, a bad girl.

Again.

The CW network announced that the 60-year-old 1970s blaxploitation icon is joining the cast of the hit drama series 'Smallville,' which is based on the DC Comics Superman series.

The savvy casting choice is the first for the 'Jackie Brown' actress since Showtime's 'The L Word' ended last year.

Grier will play villainess Amanda Waller, an agent who brought on the destruction of Smallville in one of part of the Superman mythology.

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In the storyline, the character escapes the infamous Chicago Cabrini-Green housing projects after her family is murdered. She becomes a congressional aide and then a member of the elite semi-secret government agency, the Suicide Squad, where she earns the nickname "The Wall." Later, she serves as secretary of meta-human affairs under President Lex Luthor.

According to 'TV Guide,' Grier will make her debut in January and appear in multiple episodes throughout the season.

2008 Deaths

Odetta Holmes
"The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement" was a singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter and activist.
December 31 1930 - December 2 2008.

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Bernie Mac
Comedian, Actor
Oct. 5, 1957 - Aug. 9, 2008.

Isaac Hayes
Singer, songwriter, record producer, composer and actor.
August 20, 1942 - August 10, 2008

Reuters

Miriam Makeba, "Mama Africa"
South African folk singer and anti-apartheid activist.
March 4, 1932 - November 10, 2008.

Reuters

Jennifer Hudson's 57-year-old mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason, and 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, were killed in 2008.

Shakir Stewart
The Island Def Jam executive who became head of the legendary rap label following Jay-Z's departure, killed himself on Nov. 1. He was 34 years old.

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George Carlin
Stand-up comedian, actor and author.
May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008

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Madelyn Dunham
Barack Obama's grandmother
October 26, 1922 - Nov 3, 2008.

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Levi Stubbs
Oct. 17: The iconic lead singer, second from left, who gave voice to Four Tops classics like "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "Baby I Need Your Loving" died at 72 from complications of cancer and a stroke. Abdul Fakir, far left, is now the sole living member of the original quartet.

Corbis

Dee Dee Warwick
Oct. 18: The soul songstress died after months of declining health. Warwick, the sister of soul legend Dionne, also achieved a great deal of success, both as a solo artist as well as with her sister.

Corbis