JACLYN SMITH BIOGRAPHY
For more than three decades Jaclyn Smith has held the public’s interest as an award winning actress, a designer and a role model. She loves her family, her home, gardening, Tchaikovsky, baseball, “Gone with the Wind”, her mother’s cooking – and her dogs.
She manages her life and legendary career with grace and style.
Continued below.
A native of Houston, Texas, Jaclyn put on her first pair of dancing shoes at the age of three. She studied drama at Trinity University and she was soon in productions of “Bye Bye Birdie”, “West Side Story”, and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. She left 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 Jaclyn Smith soon came into American homes as the Breck Girl, which led to relationships with Wella Balsam and Max Factor. While with Max Factor she developed a new scent, Jaclyn Smith’s California. Her signature scent won best mass produced fragrance the year it was launched in 1989.
Hollywood beckoned, and before long she was appearing in popular series such as “McCloud”, “The Rookies” and “Switch”. In 1976 Jaclyn starred as Kelly Garrett on “Charlie’s Angels” and was the only actor to continue with the series for its five year network run. Following “Charlie’s Angels” Jaclyn 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 Mini-Series”, Jaclyn starred in such well received mini-series as, “Rage of Angels”, “George Washington”, “Rage of Angels: The Story Continues”, “The Bourne Identity” and “Family Album”. One of her favorite roles was the title character in “Florence Nightengale”.
Notably, Jaclyn has compiled an impressive filmography of more than 50 films and TV appearances. In 1989 Jaclyn was honored with a star on the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. More recently, she co-starred in the CBS drama, "The District" portraying DA Vanessa Cavanaugh, has appeared on episodes of “Faith and Hope” and stared as Judge Kay Woodbury in Hallmark’s production of “Ordinary Miracles”, which aired in May 2005.
Her show stopping appearance on the 2006 Emmy telecast led Bravo TV’s producers to cast Jaclyn as the celebrity host of Bravo’s weekly competitive reality series, “Shear Genius”, which aired in March, 2007. and Season 2 in June 2008.
In 1985 Jaclyn entered the business world
with the introduction of her collection of women's apparel and
accessories for Kmart stores. She pioneered the concept of celebrities
developing their own Brands rather than merely endorsing others. Since
that time more than 100 million women have purchased clothing or
accessories bearing her name. Awareness of the Jaclyn Smith name and
brand by women 35-60 years of age is currently higher than 80% making
her one of the best recognized people in America. Industry authority
Woman’s Wear Daily reported that the signature Jaclyn Smith line had the
highest consumer awareness of any private label apparel brand in the
country.
With this strong recognition and record of success,
Jaclyn entered the home furnishings market in 2002. Jaclyn Smith Home
collections seem a natural reflection of her deep commitment to family
and home. In September 2008 Jaclyn launched her new line of bed and bath
decor at Kmart and has since introduced outdoor living and home
furnishings.
The items bearing her name reflect many of the inspiring
details and exceptional design of furnishings and accessories found in
her personal collection and her exceptional eye for detail translates
effortlessly to timeless designs.
“I’ve been very fortunate” says
the woman who has been named one of the “Most Beautiful People in the
World” by Harpers Bazaar, US, TV Guide and People Magazine on two
separate occasions. “My work has always been very exciting and
interesting, but to me,
my family must come first.
I have no regrets.”It
is perhaps the dancer’s sense of balance which keeps the many facets of
her life in harmony. Husband Bradley Allen, a pediatric cardiac
surgeon, son Gaston Anthony and daughter Spencer Margaret, keep her
centered and serve as her inspiration. “That’s truly where my heart
lies”.
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