Joan Collins — Biography
Dame Joan Henrietta Collins DBE, born on May 23, 1933, is a renowned English actress, author, and columnist. She was born in London and experienced her childhood during the tumultuous years of the Second World War. Joan made her acting debut at just nine years old in Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House and subsequently honed her craft at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. Her career took off when she signed an exclusive contract with the Rank Organisation, leading to appearances in various British films.
At the age of 22, in 1955, Collins ventured to Hollywood and soon secured sultry roles in films such as The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing and Rally Round the Flag, Boys! both released in the 1950s. Throughout the 1960s, she continued to work in both American and British cinema, including a notable guest appearance in a 1967 episode of Star Trek titled "The City on the Edge of Forever," where she portrayed Edith Keeler. However, her career faced challenges in the 1970s, as she starred in several horror films and later appeared in two softcore pornographic adaptations of novels written by her sister Jackie Collins: The Stud and its sequel, The Bitch, both released in 1978 and 1979 respectively.
Collins transitioned back to the stage in the 1980s, taking on the lead role in The Last of Mrs. Cheyney in Britain, followed by another standout performance in a 1990 revival of Noël Coward's Private Lives. In 1981, she gained immense fame for her portrayal of Alexis Colby, the scheming ex-wife in the popular soap opera Dynasty. Her compelling performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in 1982 and is often credited with the show's success, which became the most-watched television series in the United States during the 1984–85 season. Additionally, she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983, recognizing her contributions to the entertainment industry.
In 2015, Collins was honored as a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her charitable work. Since the late 1970s, she has authored several books, including beauty guides and autobiographies, with her first novel, Prime Time, published in 1988. A member of the Conservative Party, she was also invited to attend the funeral of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in April 2013.
At the age of 22, in 1955, Collins ventured to Hollywood and soon secured sultry roles in films such as The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing and Rally Round the Flag, Boys! both released in the 1950s. Throughout the 1960s, she continued to work in both American and British cinema, including a notable guest appearance in a 1967 episode of Star Trek titled "The City on the Edge of Forever," where she portrayed Edith Keeler. However, her career faced challenges in the 1970s, as she starred in several horror films and later appeared in two softcore pornographic adaptations of novels written by her sister Jackie Collins: The Stud and its sequel, The Bitch, both released in 1978 and 1979 respectively.
Collins transitioned back to the stage in the 1980s, taking on the lead role in The Last of Mrs. Cheyney in Britain, followed by another standout performance in a 1990 revival of Noël Coward's Private Lives. In 1981, she gained immense fame for her portrayal of Alexis Colby, the scheming ex-wife in the popular soap opera Dynasty. Her compelling performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in 1982 and is often credited with the show's success, which became the most-watched television series in the United States during the 1984–85 season. Additionally, she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983, recognizing her contributions to the entertainment industry.
In 2015, Collins was honored as a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her charitable work. Since the late 1970s, she has authored several books, including beauty guides and autobiographies, with her first novel, Prime Time, published in 1988. A member of the Conservative Party, she was also invited to attend the funeral of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in April 2013.
