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 Fame & Fortune: Jaclyn Smith
Acting or business, 'Angels' star is 'Shear Genius'
| At 57 years
of age, Jaclyn Smith's beauty is still palpable. One
of the original cast members of "Charlie's Angels," the still-talked-about
TV blockbuster, Smith has remained the busiest and most successful of the show's
starring trio. "Luck," she claims, had a lot to do with it, but actually
it was her shrewdness that has paid off. Early on, she
made a crucial decision to avoid film and stick to television because it affords
actresses much longer career lives. Her instincts carried over to the commercial
aspect of herself with one of the longest spokesmodels for Max Factor -- more
than 16 years. And way before J. Lo began hawking her clothing line
and perfume, Smith began a lucrative association with K-Mart that began in 1985. The
partnership between Smith and K-Mart has proved successful for both, with her
line a mainstay for the retail chain since its introduction and has been worn
by more than 100 million women. What began as a collection of clothing has branched
out into jewelry, and accessories, with a Jaclyn Smith Home furnishings line introduced
last year. Annual sales have reached as high as $600 million. Last month, the
Houston-born beauty once again cashed in on her looks by being named host of Bravo's
new reality competition called "Shear Genius" that recently began production. Today,
Smith remains in demand and made a jaw-dropping appearance on last year's Emmys
in honor of Aaron Spelling when all three original angels took center stage together
30 years after the show's debut. At her spacious Bel Air home, in Los Angeles,
that she shares with her fourth husband, cardiologist Brad Allen and her two children
-- Gaston, 24, and Spencer Margaret, 20 from a previous marriage -- Smith's glamorous,
yet wholesome looks are still the key to her longevity. As for that ageless
face, the Houston-born entrepreneur/actress notes many things have happened since
"Charlie's Angels," and they all add up to where she is today. "There's
a different look coming from your eyes; it's not older, younger, better or worse.
But after you live life, what comes across in your look is different. The
lack of innocence perhaps." Bankrate:
Tell us about your K-Mart association. Jaclyn
Smith: It's been great and has evolved into so many other areas besides
a clothing line.I started with five clothing collections a year and now I have
over a dozen, besides watches, shoes, handbags, sunglasses, perfume, home furnishings.
It's really gone way beyond my expectations and dreams. The relationship
is a wonderful one but I don't have the need to defend my clothing like I used
to because it speaks for itself. And I oversee almost everything. Bankrate:
If Hollywood turned its back on you one day as it has so many other "mature"
actresses, would you turn all your efforts to business ventures? Jaclyn
Smith: I love decorating and designing homes. So I wouldn't mind thinking
about a career in that field. But my K-Mart lines are really very lucrative. I'm
thankful for the creative areas I've gone into with my designs and the things
I've accomplished with K-Mart. Now so many other actresses have branched
out into their own lines which I hope, I have influenced as a success. |
