Jeannie Bell aka Jeanne Bell is the epitome of a Blaxploitation super heroin. “What is Blaxploitation?” one might ask. According to Ask.com’s online dictionary it is “A genre of American film of the 1970s featuring African-American actors in lead roles and often having antiestablishment plots, frequently criticized for stereotypical characterization and glorification of violence.” It is strange that while targeting the urban black audience, it promoted the white man’s stereo type of all black men living in the ghetto, being hit men, pimps, or drug dealers. Fortunately, Black women portrayed in this genre received a boost from the women’s liberation movement. Thus the powerful, sexy, action packed heroine emerged. They have even been referred to as 'super heroes of that feminine upheaval.' Jeanne Bell certainly gave super hero status to her character in TNT Jackson. There were other action films for this rising starlet, but this one exemplifies the sexy action heroin depicted in this fun loving, popular cult. Watching a beautiful young black woman throw her weight around is truly inspiring. I mean—she really threw her weight around. Jeannie Bell did all her own stunts. In the film, produced by Roger Corman, and directed by Cirio H. Santiago, TNT (Diane) Jackson is a savvy Harlem girl who goes on a quest to revenge her brother. If you haven’t seen this movie you are missing out on one of the best action films the Blaxploitation genre has produced.—and the music is cool, too.



Although she didn’t receive the same notoriety as Pam Grier, she certainly deserves it. Jeanne Bell’s first claim to fame was Playboy Bunny of the Year in 1969. This soon launched her into an acting career, although she didn’t immediately become a Blaxploitation Action Star. In her first TV appearance she played Sugar Jeanne Bell on The Beverly Hillbillies. In fact, she played the beautiful pinup girl for 5 episodes season 8 of that show. Once she had broken in to the Black Action Woman genre via her hit TNT Jackson, she found herself doing spots in popular action shows like Police Woman, Baretta, and Starsky and Hutch.

Ms. Bell’s hometown, St. Louis, MO, wasn’t highlighted like Harlem and LA to stereotype the ghetto-living pimps and “gangstas” of Blaxploitation. However, in addition to Jeanne Bell, it has produced some extraordinary Black talent such as Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, and Nelly to mention a few. 


Her last movie was Choir Boys, a comedy based on the book written by Joseph Wambaugh. Maybe that is why she dropped from the scene. Choir Boys was just nasty! The vulgarity is senseless. At least the book made some sense of these cops’ debauched private life. Perhaps Jeanne Bell felt the same way, so she moved on. In 1986 she married the man who had courted her for eight years. When you’re married to a billionaire (Gary Judis) you can do or not do anything you please. Still, she is deeply missed by fans of this most popular cult. Whatever her reasons for leaving the film industry, I wish her well and hope she has found another rewarding outlet for talent.