Jaclyn Smith rose to prominence in the 1970s as the leader of the legendary TV series Charlie’s Angels. The Houston native has also gone on to become a successful businesswoman and a role model for millions of people.
Jaclyn may no longer be Kelly Garrett (who caught the minds of people all across the world in the 1970s), but she is still an inspirational and engaging woman.
Jaclyn has worked in the entertainment industry for almost 40 years. The award-winning actress and entrepreneur has been in the spotlight for decades, yet one thing jumps out.
Unlike many Hollywood superstars, Smith has always remained true to her humanitarian origins, loving her family and assisting people all around the world through various charities.
Jaclyn had a wonderful job and a lovely family that included both children and grandchildren. She is 76 years old today.
Jacquelyn Ellen Smith was born on October 26, 1945, in Houston, Texas. She obtained her first pair of dance shoes when she was three years old and began following her ambition of becoming a professional ballerina.
The family has always been Jaclyn’s first focus, something her parents taught her as a child.
“Growing up in Houston, the home was always a happy refuge for me, and the values my parents instilled in me would help me define myself later in life, even if I didn’t realize it at the time.” “Family was and is the foundation of all my happiness and success,” she told Medium.
Jaclyn finished high school and went on to Trinity University to study acting. She soon found herself in various musicals, including West Side Story and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Despite having made it to the stage, Jaclyn still wished to be a dancer. In 1973, she received her first television job as a shampoo model for Breck. Her visage became well-known throughout the country.
She collaborated with Max Factor, which led to her own trademark scent, Jaclyn Smith’s California, which debuted in 1989.
But many things had to happen before Jaclyn could proudly debut her own scent. She opted to go to New York City after graduating from college. It would turn out to be a wise decision.
“I was lucky enough to try a lot of different experiences, meet many wonderful people, learn my craft, hone my skills, and really be open to finding a path that was right for me there, a thousand miles away from home,” she stated.
“While I began in dance, I was drawn into acting in commercials and miniseries and fell in love with it.” “As I began to take on more roles and explore new and exciting characters, I knew this was what I wanted, and I am grateful for a wonderful career on both the big and small screens.”
In the early 1970s, Jaclyn had many minor roles in TV shows and films, including Switch and McCloud.
She became recognized as the “Queen of Mini-Series” later in her career, but it was in 1976 that everything changed for her when she was cast as Kelly Garrett in Charlie’s Angels.
The teenage actor wasn’t sure she’d get the job after reading about it.
She wasn’t feeling the readings, and after the casting, she was certain she’d lost the job.
“I just know it wasn’t my best performance.” So I simply got it off my chest. “I didn’t think I had a chance to get Charlie’s Angels,” she said.
“I wasn’t a determined, ambitious actress who said, ‘I have to get this role.'” I simply walked in and had a good time.”
Initially, it appeared that the producer preferred someone other than Jaclyn since they were seeking a redhead to balance the blond Farrah Fawcett-Majors and brunette Kate Jackson. However, once casting was complete, producers recognized that Smith would be ideal because the chemistry between the three starring ladies was so strong.
Charlie’s Angels premiered on television in 1976. It didn’t take long for it to be deemed a success.
Kelly Garrett, Sabrina Duncan, and Jill Munroe’s crime-fighting escapades at a Los Angeles private detective firm were a big hit. Charlie’s Angels won multiple Golden Globes and Emmy Awards over its five-season run.
The show was initially somewhat contentious, with lots of bikinis on screen being broadcast directly into the homes of millions of Americans. That, however, was not something Jaclyn considered at the moment.
‘The feminists didn’t like us because they thought we were prancing Barbie dolls. We dressed nicely, but we didn’t show off our sexuality.” It wasn’t obscene,” she explained. “However, I didn’t feel exploited. If I had felt that way, I would have walked away. “I knew who I was in my heart of hearts.”
According to IMDB, Jaclyn began her career on the show, earning $5,000 per episode. By the time she departed, she was earning about $40,000 per episode, with the Angels also involved in lucrative retail spin-offs.
“They did lunch kits and hair accessories, and we were a part of the design of our dolls,” she added.
Jaclyn stayed on board for the duration of the show’s run, and her compelling performance led to several further chances.
She portrayed the First Lady in Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, which was critically praised and became one of the most highly rated television films in history in 1981, the same year Charlie’s Angels ended. Jaclyn received a Golden Globe nomination for her depiction of the renowned first lady in this role.
Jaclyn began to be regarded as “The Queen of Mini-Series” about this time, having starred in critically acclaimed mini-series such as Rage of the Angels, George Washington, The Bourne Identity, and Family Album.
Jaclyn’s favorite part, though, was that of the main character in the 1985 television film Florence Nightingale.
Critics didn’t like it, but Jaclyn enjoyed it, despite the fact that she had a lot of other projects to work on at the same time.
She began her own line of women’s clothing and accessories, which she sold at Kmart. They, too, were a big success. Jaclyn had become an idol and role model for many women, both in the entertainment sector and in the general public, which helped to build her brand gradually.
Jaclyn Smith married cinematographer Anthony B. Richmond in 1981. The next year, they welcomed son Gaston Richmond, and in 1985, they welcomed daughter Spencer Margaret Richmond.
Jaclyn divorced Anthony B. Richmond in 1989. She opted to relocate to Los Angeles’ Holmby Hills with her two children a few years later. Jaclyn, who likes antiques, purchased a six-bedroom, six-bath Georgian Colonial estate. She was finally able to buy a new home after her success with Charlie’s Angels, but it needed some work.
“I love the 18th century, but I also love comfort, so our upholstery pieces are modern—pieces that you can sink into,” Jaclyn said to People in 2014.
Jaclyn’s mansion is in the wealthiest urban neighborhood in the United States, which has been home to celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Bing Cosby.
“It’s a great family home with a lot of sunlight coming through the windows,” she says, “and it’s surrounded by a lot of land.”
The estate has a tennis court where Jaclyn’s son Gaston used to play, as well as a lovely pool where Stephanie liked to relax. There is also office space for Jaclyn and her new husband, heart surgeon Dr. Brad Allen.
“The kitchen was really the only room that needed to be renovated,” Allen explained. “But she redid every room in the house.”
Jaclyn has erected new furniture and a playhouse in her yard for the youngsters today. She frequently publishes photographs of her garden and flowers on Instagram—clearly, she has a green thumb!
Jaclyn Smith is now 76 years old, but her family keeps her youthful at heart. She describes her family as the “rhyme and reason for everything,” owing to a wonderful upbringing with excellent parents and an equally significant grandpa.
“It motivates you to work harder.” It makes you value things more. “Balance keeps me young at heart,” explains Jaclyn Smith. “My work is completely unique to me.” And I believe it completes me and makes me a complete human being. I’m excited about producing the Spencer baby line with my daughter, who created it, and bringing three generations together.”
Smith not only has lovely children and a wonderful husband in Brad Allen, whom she has been married to since 1997, but she is now a grandmother.
Bea, the first granddaughter of her daughter Spencer, was born in 2016. Then, last year, her son Gaston gave birth to his first child and Jaclyn’s second grandchild, Olivia Rose.
Jaclyn was named one of People Magazine’s “Glam-mas” (glamorous grandmothers) in August 2019. She frequently posts photos of her adorable family on Instagram.
And, much as Jaclyn Smith enjoys having her family nearby, it appears that her children Spencer and Gaston, as well as her grandkids, like spending time together as well.
“They pay me visits all the time,” Smith explained. “This residence is available to them. Bea knows there’s a candy drawer in my closet, and she goes straight for the gummy bears. She knows I’m a sucker for sweets.
“After all, Bea is an explorer.” We have tea parties and go out in her small playhouse in the backyard. Bea, on the other hand, is adept at unstructured time and enjoying herself. So we walk around the yard and speak about the flowers. Olivia is incredibly petite.”
Furthermore, the closure of the Charlie’s Angels series in the 1970s did not mean the end of the great characters. Smith was uncredited in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, released in 2003. She reprised her role as Kelly Garrett in the latest film last year.
Sure, it wasn’t as great a hit as it was in the 1970s, but she intends to watch her legendary performance as Kelly Garrett with her grandkids in the future.
Smith says she can’t wait to relive her memorable role with her family in the future. And she is referred to as “Mimi” rather than “Grandma.”
“My kids never really watched it that much,” she explains. “In fact, if they saw me on film, they’d think, ‘Oh, there’s Jaclyn Smith,’ not ‘There’s Mom.'” I’m sure I’ll enjoy seeing it with Bea and Olivia. ‘Hey, here’s your Mimi from a long time ago,’ you may say. I want kids to witness how things change, and I believe it is vital for them to understand their history and where they come from.
Jaclyn Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. Fortunately, she found cancer early and received effective treatment, which included surgery and many rounds of radiation therapy.
She made it through, and at 76 years old, she looks fantastic!
She has volunteered for numerous foundations throughout the years. Jaclyn is a supporter of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the John Wayne Cancer Institute, among others.
She’s also passionate about AbilityFirst, for which she serves as an Honorary Chair, holds fundraisers, and acts as a spokesperson at several events.
“Just surround yourself with loved ones, support, and girlfriends,” Smith said of her cancer treatment.
“And educate yourself properly, not on the internet.” Forget about it. Get advice from your doctor and someone who has dealt with similar issues.”
Jaclyn Smith has had a tremendous career, and we are delighted to see her spending time with her children and grandkids.