Jaclyn Smith has held the public’s interest as an award-winning actress, designer, inspirational cancer survivor and role model for over three decades. Managing her life and legendary career with style and grace, she loves her family, her home, gardening, Tchaikovsky, baseball, “Gone With the Wind” and her dogs.
A native of Houston, Texas, Smith put on her first pair of dancing shoes at the age of three. She studied drama at Trinity University and performed in productions of Bye Bye Birdie, West Side Story and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes before leaving Texas to pursue her dream as a dancer. While in New York, an agent believed her classic beauty made her a natural for television cameras and Smith soon came into American homes as the Breck shampoo girl, which led to relationships with Wella Balsam and Max Factor. While with Max Factor, she developed a new scent, Jaclyn Smith’s California. (Smith’s signature scent won best mass-produced fragrance in 1989, the year it was launched.)
Hollywood beckoned, and before long Smith was appearing in popular series such as “McCloud,” “The Rookies” and “Switch.” In 1976, she starred as Kelly Garrett on the iconic television series “Charlie’s Angels” and was the only actor to continue with the series for its five-year network run. Following “Charlie’s Angels,” she earned a Golden Globe nomination for her critically acclaimed portrayal of the legendary first lady in “Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy,” one of the most highly-rated telefilms of all time. Frequently called the “Queen of the Mini-Series,” Smith starred in such well-received mini’s as “Rage of Angels,” “Rage of Angels: The Story Continues,” “George Washington,” “The Bourne Identity” and “Family Album.” One of her favorite roles was the title character in “Florence Nightingale.”
In 1989, Smith was honored with a star on the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. More recently, she co-starred in the CBS drama “The District,” recurred on “Faith and Hope” and starred in Hallmark’s production of “Ordinary Miracles.” Her show-stopping appearance on the 2006 Emmy telecast led Bravo TV’s producers to cast her as the celebrity host of Bravo’s weekly competitive reality series “Shear Genius” for its first two seasons. Over her career, Smith has compiled an impressive filmography of more than 50 films and TV appearances.
In 1985, Smith entered the business world with the introduction of her collection of women’s apparel for Kmart stores, a partnership that continues to this day. She pioneered the concept of celebrities developing their own brands rather than merely endorsing others, as was the standard before her revolutionary launch. The Jaclyn Smith Collection for Kmart features classic styles characterized by grace and femininity, offering fresh new looks season after season while remaining true to her timeless appeal. Smith also has a line of jewelry, accessories and shoes to complement her head-to-toe clothing line. With her strong name recognition and record of success, Smith entered the home furnishings market in 2002. The Jaclyn Smith Home Collection is a natural reflection of her deep commitment to family and home. In September 2008, she launched a home collection for Kmart stores including bed, bath, living room, dining room, home décor and outdoor furniture. She also partnered with her longtime hairstylist and personal friend, the world-renowned Jose Eber, to design the Style Collection of wigs and hairpieces for retailer Paula Young.
Smith has been named one of the “Most Beautiful
People in the World” by Harper’s Bazaar, US, TV Guide and People Magazine (on
two separate occasions). She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Bradley
Allen, a pediatric cardiac surgeon, and has two children, Gaston Anthony and
Spencer Margaret.
