Joan Collins: how a starlet became a Dame

Her performance as the wayward juvenile delinquent Norma Hart in her follow-up film, 'I Believe in You,' won her plaudits and a five-year contract with the Rank Organisation, a major British film studio. Collins was soon earning a reputation as "Britain's Bad Girl" for her subsequent roles as harlots, runaways, and troubled teenagers.

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Marriage to Maxwell Reed -

Joan Collins married actor Maxwell Reed in May 1952. In the 2022 BBC 2 documentary 'This is Joan Collins,' the actress claimed she was sexually assaulted by Reed before the couple tied the knot. She also alleged that he tried to 'pimp' her out to "rich old men" for "£10,000 a night." They divorced in 1956.

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'Our Girl Friday' (1953) -

She reversed the "bad girl" typecasting briefly with 'Our Girl Friday.' Known in the United States as 'The Adventures of Sadie,' this was Collins' first appearance in a comedy, and her first in a starring role.

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'Land of the Pharaohs' (1955) -

Collins was back in vampish form as the scheming Princess Nellifer in Howard Hawks' epic historical drama 'Land of the Pharaohs,' which was shot on location in Egypt and in studio in Rome. Her sultry performance so impressed 20th Century Fox that Collins was offered a seven-year contract with the studio.

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'The Virgin Queen' (1955) -

Back in Hollywood, Collins accepted another role in a lavish historical drama. Starring opposite Bette Davis and Richard Todd, the British actress played Elizabeth Throckmorton in 'The Virgin Queen.'

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'Island in the Sun' (1957) -

'Island in the Sun' was controversial for its on-screen portrayal of interracial romance, the love scenes with Harry Belafonte and Joan Fontaine proving too sensitive for more conservative audiences. Joan Collins had a supporting role in the drama, which is set in the Caribbean.

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'The Wayward Bus' (1957) -

'The Wayward Bus' garnered lukewarm reviews from critics, but went on to become one of 33 films nominated for the Golden Berlin Bear Award at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival. The picture, costarring Jayne Mansfield, was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by John Steinbeck.

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'The Bravados' (1958) -

By the late 1950s, Joan Collins was regularly appearing alongside some of Hollywood's leading men of the era, actors like Richard Burton, Paul Newman, Robert Wagner, and Gregory Peck, the latter seen here with Collins in the Western 'The Bravados.'

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Engagement to Warren Beatty -

In 1959, Collins began a relationship with the then-relatively unknown Warren Beatty. The pair were engaged to be married before Beatty's serial philandering led her to call off the wedding.

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'Seven Thieves' (1960) -

Collins' first film of 1960 was the crime drama 'Seven Thieves,' in which she plays an exotic dancer. But the picture wasn't the one she had expected to launch the new decade with. The actress had initially been offered the title role in 'Cleopatra,' a part that eventually went to Elizabeth Taylor. Feeling let down by the studio, a disillusioned Collins opted to leave 20th Century Fox as soon as her contract expired.

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'The Road to Hong Kong' (1962) -

'The Road to Hong Kong' was the seventh and final installment in the 'Road to …' series. Collins costarred alongside Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, taking the place of Dorothy Lamour. Reviews were favorable, lifted by cameos from Peter Sellers, David Niven, and Lamour as herself, among others.

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Marriage to Anthony Newley -

Joan Collins' second marriage was to actor and singer-songwriter Anthony Newley, in 1963. The union lasted eight years and produced two children, Tara and Alexander.

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The television years -

Collins made few films during the 1960s, instead turning to television roles. She appeared in some of the most popular series of that decade, including 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,' 'Batman' (pictured as the villainous Siren), 'Star Trek,' and 'Mission Impossible.'

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'Warning Shot' (1967) -

Among the more notable movies she made during the 1960s was the crime-thriller 'Warning Shot,' starring David Janssen.

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Working in the 1970s -

In the 1970s, Collins remained busy on television, in various small-screen series and TV movies. She's pictured on the set of 'The Persuaders' (1971–1972) with Roger Moore, Tony Curtis, and production crew.

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'The Stud' (1978) -

The 1970s saw Collins work in a number of different genres, including horror, crime, and comedy. However, she raised eyebrows when she agreed to appear in the film version of her sister Jackie Collins' racy novel 'The Stud.' The film was an international hit.

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Joan and Jackie -

Joan's younger sister Jackie was a success in her own right. The author of 32 novels, all of which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list, Jackie Collins moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s and witnessed the advent of Joan's crowning glory as the character Alexis Carrington Colby on the hugely successful television soap opera 'Dynasty.' Jackie Collins sadly succumbed to cancer in 2015.

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Marriage to Ronald S. Kass -

In 1972, a year after her divorce from Newley, Collins had tied the knot for the third time, to American businessman Ronald S. Kass. They had a daughter, Katyana, born the same year. The couple went their separate ways in 1983, but remained close until Kass' death, also from cancer, in 1986.

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'Dynasty' (1981–1989) -

In 1981, Joan Collins joined the cast in season two of 'Dynasty' and for the next eight years enjoyed arguably her most memorable role as Alexis Carrington Colby, the beautiful and scheming ex-wife of patriarch Blake Carrington (John Forsythe).

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Career highlight -

'Dynasty' was a worldwide hit and by 1985 the program was the number one show in the United States, beating CBS rival 'Dallas,' which ranked number two.

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Golden Globe win -

For her portrayal of Alexis, Collins was nominated six times for a Golden Globe Award (every year from 1982 to 1987), winning in 1983.

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Marriage to Peter Holm -

Between her work on 'Dynasty,' Collins found time to marry for the fourth time, on this occasion to Swedish playboy Peter Holm in 1985. It was an unhappy union, and after a bitter separation they were divorced in August 1987.

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Joan Collins, OBE -

For her services to drama, Joan Collins was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1997 New Year Honors. She's pictured at Buckingham Palace in London after receiving the accolade.

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'These Old Broads' (2001) -

'Dynasty' ended in 1989. She revisited her role as Alexis in the 1991 mini series 'Dynasty: The Reunion,' after which she continued to work in film, television, and theater. In 2001, Collins appeared alongside Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Reynolds, and Shirley MacLaine in the popular TV movie 'These Old Broads.'

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Marriage to Percy Gibson -

The following year, and as if mirroring her rival Elizabeth Taylor's penchant for husbands, Joan Collins walked down the aisle for the fifth time, arm-in-arm with Percy Gibson, who is 31 years her junior. The couple have been happily married for over two decades.

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Joan Collins, DBE -

In 2015, the actress was again invited to Buckingham Palace, this time to be honored as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to charity (she has publicly supported several charities for many decades, many of them advocating for children's health and welfare).

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Dame Joan Collins -

And Dame Joan Collins continues to engage in philanthropy. She's pictured on stage in March 2023 attending a charity event to raise funds for Great Ormand Street Hospital for Children in London.

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Joan Collins -

But it's for her portrayals of bombshells, sirens, and the gorgeous, refined, but vengeful Alexis that Joan Collins will always be remembered.

Sources: (Mirror) (Britannica) (Biography)

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Early life -

Joan Henrietta Collins was born on May 23, 1933, in Paddington, London. The oldest of three children of a theatrical agent and a former dancer, show business ran in her blood.

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Stage debut -

Collins made her stage debut at age 13 in a 1946 production of Henrik Ibsen's 'A Doll’s House.' By 16, she had enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to train as an actress.

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Film debut -

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Early career -

Collins' first credited film role was as Lil Carter in the 1952 British drama 'Judgment Deferred.'

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'I Believe in You' (1952) -

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Marriage to Maxwell Reed -

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'Our Girl Friday' (1953) -

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'Land of the Pharaohs' (1955) -

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'The Virgin Queen' (1955) -

Back in Hollywood, Collins accepted another role in a lavish historical drama. Starring opposite Bette Davis and Richard Todd, the British actress played Elizabeth Throckmorton in 'The Virgin Queen.'

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'Island in the Sun' (1957) -

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'The Wayward Bus' (1957) -

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'The Bravados' (1958) -

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Engagement to Warren Beatty -

In 1959, Collins began a relationship with the then-relatively unknown Warren Beatty. The pair were engaged to be married before Beatty's serial philandering led her to call off the wedding.

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'Seven Thieves' (1960) -

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'The Road to Hong Kong' (1962) -

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Marriage to Anthony Newley -

Joan Collins' second marriage was to actor and singer-songwriter Anthony Newley, in 1963. The union lasted eight years and produced two children, Tara and Alexander.

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The television years -

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'Warning Shot' (1967) -

Among the more notable movies she made during the 1960s was the crime-thriller 'Warning Shot,' starring David Janssen.

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Working in the 1970s -

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'The Stud' (1978) -

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Joan and Jackie -

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Marriage to Ronald S. Kass -

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'Dynasty' (1981–1989) -

BrunoPress

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Career highlight -

'Dynasty' was a worldwide hit and by 1985 the program was the number one show in the United States, beating CBS rival 'Dallas,' which ranked number two.

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Golden Globe win -

For her portrayal of Alexis, Collins was nominated six times for a Golden Globe Award (every year from 1982 to 1987), winning in 1983.

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Marriage to Peter Holm -

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Joan Collins, OBE -

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'These Old Broads' (2001) -

BrunoPress

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Marriage to Percy Gibson -

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Joan Collins, DBE -

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Dame Joan Collins -

And Dame Joan Collins continues to engage in philanthropy. She's pictured on stage in March 2023 attending a charity event to raise funds for Great Ormand Street Hospital for Children in London.

Getty Images

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Joan Collins -

But it's for her portrayals of bombshells, sirens, and the gorgeous, refined, but vengeful Alexis that Joan Collins will always be remembered.

Sources: (Mirror) (Britannica) (Biography)

Getty Images

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Joan Collins: how a starlet became a Dame

One of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood turns 90 this May 23

23/05/23 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Retrospective

Joan Collins made her film debut in 1951, as an extra playing a beauty queen contestant. And it's for her sultry looks and seductive character that Collins went on to appear in a succession of films throughout the 1950s that made her one of the most successful English actresses working in pictures during the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. Thirty years later, Collins would once again conquer Tinseltown, this time for her Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Alexis Carrington in the worldwide hit TV soap drama 'Dynasty.' Away from the glare of show business, Collins has supported numerous charitable causes that along with her contribution to drama have rewarded her with two of the UK's highest civic orders. So, how did Joan Collins rise from being a starlet to one of Hollywood's most recognized actresses?

Click through for an appreciation of her life and work.