Dame Joan Henrietta Collins was born 89 years ago in Paddington, England. She was married 5 times and has 3 children.
When she was only 9, Joan acted in a play called ‘The Doll’s House’ and at 16 started taking lessons in acting. A year later, she joined a film studio and began taking part in several movies. Her major debut was in 1952 when she starred as a criminal teenager in ‘I Believe in You’ and was immediately nicknamed as ‘Britain’s Bad Girl’. Subsequently, she acted in more films of various genres as well as theatrical plays.
In 1955, she made a name in Hollywood after she starred in ‘The Virgin Queen’ and never looked back since. She became a global celebrity during the 80’s when she starred in the famous soap opera ‘Dynasty’ as the villainess Alexis Colby.
During her 70-year career, Joan acted in 75 films (the latest one is currently being filmed), over 60 TV productions and 24 theatrical plays/musicals. She won 8 awards amongst which there are a Golden Globe, Golden Apple, Golden Kamera and Monte Carlo TV Festival.
Collins also wrote several books and was an active philanthropist. In recognition of her theatrical performances, Joan was chosen as an ‘Order of the British Empire’ Officer in 1997 and was later honoured with the ‘Dame’ title by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 for her charitable work.