There is always something surreal about a beloved celebrity dying. After all, our favorite actors are perfectly preserved in our favorite films and old TV show reruns, which means some part of them will be with us forever. But it’s always tragic to know that somebody who brought one amazing role after another to life will never get a chance to do so again.
That’s certainly the case with Pat Colbert, someone who became our favorite actor on the long-running television drama Dallas. That show helped put Colbert on the map, and she ended up having a dazzling career in both TV and film. But she died this June, leaving behind a legion of fans who will never forget her talents as an actor.
If you loved Colbert as much as we did, you should know that grieving is an important part of eventually letting go. Without that, we can never move on and heal. Keep reading to help us mourn the death of Pat Colbert, an American icon taken from us at far too young an age.
How Pat Colbert’s acting career began
While we mostly remember Pat Colbert from her role in Dallas, that show wasn’t really where she got her start as an actor. Before she joined that legendary drama in 1983, she made some fairly eclectic TV appearances. For example, she appeared in the TV show Eischied for one episode and Flamingo Road for four episodes. She also made appearances in single episodes of some largely forgotten shows, including Benson.
Her Dallas career was just around the corner, but before that, Colbert’s biggest role was on the show Capitol, which ran from 1982-1987. Incidentally, she appeared in one episode of Fall Guy in 1982, and that film went on to inspire a feature film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling.
Joining Dallas late in its run
Even for hardcore fans of the show, it’s weird to remember that Dallas was a show that spanned three decades. It premiered in 1978 and didn’t air its final episode until 1991. By then, it had fully made its mark on pop culture, and almost everyone who starred in the show had become a household name.
As for Pat Colbert, she wasn’t part of the show from the beginning. Instead, she joined Dallas in its seventh season in 1983, playing the character Dora Mae. Her character managed the Oil Baron’s Club and played an increasingly significant role in the affairs of the Ewing family. Arguably, though, Colbert herself played an even more significant role for those watching at home.
Her Dallas career was historic
Compared to some of the other Dallas characters, Dora Mae was a relatively minor character, one who rarely had her own storylines. With that in mind, why do we think the character was so important? Basically, as a prominent African-American actor on one of TV’s biggest shows, Pat Colbert ended up making history with this role.
Keep in mind that things were far less racially inclusive in the ‘80s. Heck, when Colbert joined the show, the landmark Civil Rights Act was less than two decades old. Into this tumultuous time, Colbert regularly played a Black character who was intelligent and well-respected. She effectively helped lead the charge for equal rights and the importance of diverse representation in media.
A career that went further than Dallas
It’s an open secret that Pat Colbert is mostly known for her time on Dallas. That’s not a slight against her acting skills, of course: most actors end up being largely defined by the most popular film or show they were in, and few TV series have ever been as popular as Dallas. But as we remember Colbert’s career, it’s important to note that her career goes much further than this watershed TV show.
While still starring on Dallas, Colbert appeared in other television shows, including Sisters and True Colors. Also, while she was primarily known as a TV star, Colbert appeared on the big screen as well. This includes movies like S.O.B. and Hysterical.
Interestingly, she took a prolonged break from acting after 1991, but she renewed her film career nearly a quarter of a century later. In 2014, she appeared in Thom & Dusty Go to Mexico: The Lost Treasure. And in 2015, she appeared in her final movie, If Not For His Grace.
Remembering the passing of an icon
Pat Colbert might not have appeared onscreen in nearly a decade, but her passing still leaves a large hole in both Hollywood and our hearts. Onscreen, she was always pitch-perfect, giving it her all for even the smallest role. And on Dallas, she served as an inspiration to millions by playing a powerful Black character during a time of racial unease in America.
After her passing, Colbert is survived by her siblings as well as her son, Michael. We wish all of them the best as they continue to heal from the passing of Pat Colbert, one of Hollywood’s greatest actors.