American actress, producer, entrepreneur and author Victoria Principal was born 75 years ago as Vicki Ree Principal in Fukuoka, Japan, and is divorced with no children.
Since her dad worked for the US military, Victoria and her parents moved regularly from one country to another, and she went to 17 different schools. At just 5 years old, Principal made her acting debut in a TV commercial. After graduating from high school, she applied to college as she wished to study medicine. Unfortunately, after being involved in a serious car accident, she required months of recovery which led her to repeat her first year of studies, however, she changed her mind and took an acting course instead and moved to New York City, then Europe and finally ending up in Los Angeles.
In 1972, Victoria made her big screen debut in the Western comedy film ‘The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean’, starring also Paul Newman. Two years later, she was chosen to act in a supporting role in the blockbuster ‘Earthquake’ and later starred in a couple of other movies as well as TV series. Principal then decided to quit acting and instead worked as talent and booking agent for a couple of years.
Victoria had also thought of continuing her studies and enrol in a law school but soon changed her mind when she was given the script of the famous soap opera ‘Dallas’. She gladly accepted the part and portrayed Pamela Barnes Ewing for 9 years between 1978 and 1987 for a total of 251 episodes. Whilst starring in ‘Dallas’, she also appeared in some made-for-TV movies and series.
From the beginning of the 80s til 2004, when she quit acting, Principal starred in 1 movie and 24 TV productions. These include ‘Fridays’, ‘Mistress’, ‘Blind Witness’, ‘The Burden of Proof’, ‘Home Improvement’, ‘Jack and Jill’ and ‘Titans’, amongst others.
In 1989, Victoria became an entrepreneur and created her own line of skin-care products and in 2011 launched a jewellery line. During the 80s, she published 3 books and a 4th one in 2001.
Principal is an avid philanthropist and over the years has helped numerous charitable institutions regarding helping children, rescuing animals, oceans, ecology, domestic violence, marine life and many more.
During her acting career, Victoria received 2 honorary degrees, a Bravo Otto Award and a Genii Lifetime Achievement Award, amongst others.
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