Why The CarShield Commercial Actress Looks So Familiar

By the millennium, Vivica A. Fox had proven to be a staple in thrillers and comedies alike. However, she hadn't dabbled in martial arts. That changed with "Kill Bill: Volume 1," Quentin Tarantino's 2003 bloody tale of revenge and swordplay. Fox plays Vernita Green, also known as Copperhead, a former member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. After the group's failed attempt to murder one of their own, Beatrix (Uma Thurman) goes on a vengeful killing rampage, starring with Vernita in her suburban home.

According to an excerpt from Fox's memoir, "Every Day I'm Hustling," Tarantino first thought of casting Fox when he saw her face on the DVD cover of the 2001 rom-com "Two Can Play At That Game." "We discussed favorite movies, of course," Fox recalled (via Time). "I talked about Pam Grier and how much I loved her, and Richard Roundtree, who'd played my dad on 'Generations.' 'Yeah, I'm Shaft's daughter,' I joked." Tarantino had previously directed Pam Grier in "Jackie Brown."

After landing the part, Fox endured rigorous training — so rigorous that she snapped at Tarantino one day. "I lost it on him. 'Is this a 'beat us up' contest?' I asked. 'Are we f***ing doing anything right? Goddamn.' Everyone gasped." Fox credits Thurman for encouraging her to advocate for herself on set. Despite the rocky training period, Fox looks back at "Kill Bill" fondly. In early 2023, she even appeared in the SZA music video for her song "Kill Bill."