biography

Joan Collins Born in London on May 23, 1933, actress Joan Collins was destined for a career in show business as her father was an agent for big-name musical acts. While a teenager, Collins trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and was signed to a contract with Britain's J. Arthur Rank Film Company when she was just 17 years old. Her first credited appearance came in the drama The Woman's Angle (1952; with Lois Maxwell and Dana Wynter), and her strong performance quickly netted her bigger roles in such films as Decameron Nights (1953; with Joan Fontaine and Louis Jourdan) and The Adventures of Sadie (1953). She was a movie star in her native Britain by the age of 20, and soon producers in Hollywood took notice. Her first film in Hollywood was the big-budget Warner Bros. costume drama Land of the Pharaohs (1955; with Dewey Martin), which did not do well at the box office. She fared much better in the 20th Century Fox biopic The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955; with Ray Milland and Farley Granger) and The Wayward Bus (1957; with Jayne Mansfield and Rick Jason).
Joan CollinsJoan CollinsJoan Collins

LEFT: Joan Collins in a cheesecake photo from 20th Century Fox, circa 1955. CENTER and RIGHT: Cheesecake photos from the 1950s

After a brief first marriage to actor Maxwell Reed in 1952, Collins stayed focused on her acting career. Her second marriage was to actor/singer Anthony Newley, whom she married in May 1963. The couple welcomed a daughter and a son in the mid 1960s, and Collins made very few films during this period. Instead, she worked often in television, appearing on such popular TV programs as Batman, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Mission: Impossible. When she and Anthony Newley parted ways in 1970, Collins renewed her career and starred in several horror films, including Tales from the Crypt (1972; with Peter Cushing), Dark Places (1973; with Christopher Lee), The Devil Within Her (1975; with Donald Pleasence and Caroline Munro), and Empire of the Ants (1977; with Robert Lansing and John David Carson). While Collins was a busy actress in the 1970s, her career was given a boost by two films based on her sister's novels: The Stud (1978; with Oliver Tobias) and The Bitch (1979; with Ian Hendry). These films, racy by late 1970s standards, were international hits and brought Collins new fans. Two years later, she was cast as Alexis Carrington on the ABC drama Dynasty, for which Collins is now best know.

the films of joan collins

The Adventures of Sadie (1953)

Joan Collins

As the title character in the British comedy The Adventures of Sadie

The Virgin Queen (1955)

Bette Davis and Joan Collins

With Bette Davis in the 20th Century Fox drama The Virgin Queen

The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955)

Joan Collins and Ray MillandJoan CollinsFarley Granger and Joan Collins

LEFT: With Ray Milland in the 20th Century Fox drama The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing. CENTER: Collins as Evelyn Nesbit. RIGHT: With Farley Granger

Land of the Pharaohs (1955)

Joan Collins

Collins portrayed Princess Nellifer in the big-budget Howard Hawks production of Land of the Pharaohs

The Opposite Sex (1956)

Ann Miller, Dolores Gray, June Allyson, Joan Collins, Ann Sheridan, and Joan Blondell

MGM's remake of the 1939 film The Women, The Opposite Sex had an all-star cast. Pictured are Ann Miller, Dolores Gray, June Allyson, Joan Collins, Ann Sheridan, and Joan Blondell

Island in the Sun (1957)

Joan Collins and Stephen Boyd

With Stephen Boyd in the 20th Century Fox romance Island in the Sun

The Wayward Bus (1957)

Joan Collins and Jayne Mansfield

Collins with Jayne Mansfield in the 20th Century Fox drama The Wayward Bus

Esther and the King (1960)

Richard Egan and Joan Collins

With Richard Egan in the 20th Century Fox costume drama Esther and the King

The Road to Hong Kong (1962)

Bing Crosby, Joan Collins, and Bob Hope

Collins replaces Dorothy Lamour in the Bing Crosby and Bob Hope's final "Road" film, The Road to Hong Kong

Hard Time for Princes (1965)

Jacques Bergerac and Joan Collins

With Jacques Bergerac in the Italian/French coproduction comedy Hard Time for Princes

Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? (1969)

Connie Kreski, Anthony Newley, and Joan Collins

With Connie Kreski and Anthony Newley in the comedy musical Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?

The Executioner (1970)

George Peppard, Joan Collins, and George Baker

With George Peppard and George Baker in the British spy thriller The Executioner

Dark Places (1973)

Joan Collins

As Sarah Mandeville in the British horror thriller Dark Places

Tales That Witness Madness (1973)

Joan Collins

From the horror anthology film Tales That Witness Madness

The Devil Within Her (1975)

Joan Collins

From the horror flick The Devil Within Her, released in the U.S. by American International Pictures

Empire of the Ants (1977)

Jacqueline Scott, Robert Pine, Joan Collins, Pamela Susan Shoop, Robert Lansing, and John David Carson

From Bert I. Gordon's horror flick Empire of the Ants, released by American International Pictures. Pictured are Jacqueline Scott, Robert Pine, Joan Collins, Pamela Susan Shoop, Robert Lansing, and John David Carson

The Stud (1978)

Oliver Tobias and Joan Collins

From the racy late 1970s drama The Stud with Oliver Tobias. The novel and screenplay were penned by Collins' sister Jackie Collins

Monte Carlo (1986)

Joan Collins and George Hamilton

With George Hamilton in the CBS TV movie Monte Carlo, in which Collins both starred and produced

A Midwinter's Tale (1995)

Jennifer Saunders and Joan Collins

From the Castle Rock comedy A Midwinter's Tale with Jennifer Saunders

joan collins today

While Joan Collins has cooled her film and television career somewhat during the last decade, she still occasionally tackles an acting role in film, television, and on stage; she currently has two films in production. Collins' private life has occasionally made headlines over the years particularly with her marriages to Anthony Newley and Peter Holm. She is the mother of two daughters and a son and is married to her fifth husband, Percy Gibson.

filmography

FILM
Tomorrow Morning (2022) with Harriet Thorpe
The Loss Adjuster (2020) with Martin Kemp
The Time of Their Lives (2017) with Franco Nero
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016) with Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley
Ozzie (2006) with Rachel Hunter
Ellis in Glamourland (2004)
These Old Broads (2001) with Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Graves, Gene Barry, and Pat Harrington Jr.
Ozzie (2001) with Ralf Moeller and Rachel Hunter
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000) with Mark Addy, Stephen Baldwin, Kristen Johnston, Jane Krakowski, Alan Cumming, and Harvey Korman
The Clandestine Marriage (1999) with Nigel Hawthorne
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999) with Donny Osmond and Richard Attenborough
Sweet Deception (1998) with Kate Jackson and Jack Scalia
Hart to Hart: Two Harts in 3/4 Time (1995) with Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers
Annie: A Royal Adventure! (1995) with Ashley Johnson
A Midwinter's Tale (1995) with Jennifer Saunders and Julia Sawalha
Decadence (1994) with Steven Berkoff
Dynasty: The Reunion (1991) with John Forsythe, Linda Evans, John James, Heather Locklear, Emma Samms, Maxwell Caulfield, and Michael Brandon
Red Peppers (1991) with Anthony Newley
Monte Carlo (1986) with George Hamilton, Lisa Eilbacher, Lauren Hutton, Robert Carradine, and Malcolm McDowell
The Cartier Affair (1984) with David Hasselhoff, Ed Lauter, and Randi Brooks
Her Life as a Man (1984) with Marc Singer, Laraine Newman, and Robert Culp
Making of a Male Model (1983) with Jon-Erik Hexum, Kevin McCarthy, Roxie Roker, Arte Johnson, Ted McGinley, Jeff Conaway, and Robert Walker Jr.
The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch (1982) with Priscilla Barnes, Lee Horsley, Howard Duff, Pamela Bellwood, Jeanette Nolan, Morgan Brittany, Donny Osmond, Lisa Whelchel, Susan Kellermann, and Paul Carr
Homework (1982) with Shell Kepler, Lee Purcell, Carrie Snodgress, and Wings Hauser
Paper Dolls (1982) with Joan Hackett, Daryl Hannah, Marc Singer, Antonio Fargas, Craig T. Nelson, and Eric Stoltz
Nutcracker (1982) with Finola Hughes
The Bitch (1979) with Antonio Cantafora, Ian Hendry, Sue Lloyd, and John Ratzenberger
Game for Vultures (1979) with Richard Harris, Richard Roundtree, and Ray Milland
Sunburn (1979) with Farrah Fawcett, Charles Grodin, Art Carney, William Daniels, John Hillerman, Eleanor Parker, Keenan Wynn, Joan Goodfellow, and Alejandro Rey
The Stud (1978) with Oliver Tobias and Sue Lloyd
Zero to Sixty (1978) with Darren McGavin, Sylvia Miles, Bill Hudson, Vito Scotti, Lorraine Gary, Gordon MacRae, Dick Martin, Francine York, and Lyle Waggoner
The Big Sleep (1978) with Robert Mitchum, Sarah Miles, Richard Boone, Candy Clark, James Stewart, Oliver Reed, and Richard Todd
Magnum Cop (1978)
Empire of the Ants (1977) with Robert Lansing, John David Carson, Albert Salmi, Jacqueline Scott, Pamela Susan Shoop, Robert Pine, and Brooke Palance
The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones (1976) with Trevor Howard and Terry-Thomas
Il pomicione (1976)
Il richiamo del lupo (1975) with Jack Palance
The Devil Within Her (1975) with Ralph Bates, Donald Pleasence, and Caroline Munro
Alfie Darling (1975) with Jill Townsend and Rula Lenska
Playing the Field (1974) with Daniele Vargas
Tales That Witness Madness (1973) with Kim Novak, Georgia Brown, Suzy Kendall, and Donald Pleasence
Drive Hard, Drive Fast (1973) with Brian Kelly, Henry Silva, Joseph Campanella, Karen Ericson, and Charles H. Gray
Dark Places (1973) with Christopher Lee, Herbert Lom, and Jane Birkin
The Man Who Came to Dinner (1972) with Orson Welles, Lee Remick, Don Knotts, Edward Andrews, and Peter Haskell
Fear in the Night (1972) with Judy Geeson, Ralph Bates, and Peter Cushing
Tales from the Crypt (1972) with Peter Cushing, Richard Greene, and Ian Hendry
Quest for Love (1971) with Denholm Elliott
Inn of the Frightened People (1971) with Ray Barrett
Up in the Cellar (1970) with Larry Hagman and Judy Pace
The Executioner (1970) with George Peppard, Judy Geeson, Oskar Homolka, Charles Gray, Nigel Patrick, and George Baker
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969) with Suzanne Pleshette, Ian McShane, Mildred Natwick, Murray Hamilton, Michael Constantine, Norman Fell, Peggy Cass, Marty Ingels, Pamela Britton, and Luke Halpin
Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? (1969) with Anthony Newley, Milton Berle, Connie Kreski, and George Jessel
Besieged (1969) with Faith Domergue
Subterfuge (1968) with Gene Barry, Richard Todd, Suzanna Leigh, and Michael Rennie
Warning Shot (1967) with David Janssen, Ed Begley, Keenan Wynn, Lillian Gish, Stefanie Powers, Eleanor Parker, George Grizzard, George Sanders, Steve Allen, Carroll O'Connor, Walter Pidgeon, and Vito Scotti
Hard Time for Princes (1965) with Vittorio Gassman and Jacques Bergerac
The Road to Hong Kong (1962) with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Robert Morley
Esther and the King (1960) with Richard Egan, Denis O'Dea, Rik Battaglia, and Rosalba Neri
Seven Thieves (1960) with Edward G. Robinson, Rod Steiger, Eli Wallach, Berry Kroeger, Sebastian Cabot, and John Beradino
Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys! (1958) with Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Jack Carson, Dwayne Hickman, Tuesday Weld, and Gale Gordon
The Bravados (1958) with Gregory Peck, Stephen Boyd, Albert Salmi, Henry Silva, Barry Coe, Lee Van Cleef, and Andrew Duggan
Stopover Tokyo (1957) with Robert Wagner and Edmond O'Brien
Sea Wife (1957) with Richard Burton
Island in the Sun (1957) with James Mason, Joan Fontaine, Dorothy Dandridge, Michael Rennie, Harry Belafonte, Stephen Boyd, and Patricia Owens
The Wayward Bus (1957) with Jayne Mansfield, Dan Dailey, and Rick Jason
The Opposite Sex (1956) with June Allyson, Dolores Gray, Ann Sheridan, Ann Miller, Leslie Nielsen, Jeff Richards, Agnes Moorehead, Charlotte Greenwood, Joan Blondell, and Alice Pearce
The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955) with Ray Milland, Farley Granger, and Glenda Farrell
The Virgin Queen (1955) with Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Herbert Marshall, Dan O'Herlihy, and Leslie Parrish
Land of the Pharaohs (1955) with Dewey Martin and Sydney Chaplin
The Good Die Young (1954) with Laurence Harvey, Gloria Grahame, Richard Basehart, John Ireland, Robert Morley, and Lee Patterson
The Adventures of Sadie (1953) with Kenneth More
The Square Ring (1953)
Turn the Key Softly (1953) with Terence Morgan
The Slasher (1953) with Hermione Baddeley, Hermione Gingold, and Laurence Naismith
Decameron Nights (1953) with Joan Fontaine and Louis Jourdan
I Believe in You (1952) with Laurence Harvey
Judgment Deferred (1952)
The Woman's Angle (1952) Cathy O'Donnell, Lois Maxwell, and Dana Wynter

TELEVISION SERIES
Pacific Palisades, 1997 Fox TV series. Collins portrayed Christina Hobson
Tonight at 8.30, 1991 BBC TV series. Collins portrayed various characters in Noel Coward plays
Sins, 1986 CBS mini-series. Collins portrayed Helene Junot
Dynasty, 1981-1989 ABC TV series. Collins portrayed Alexis Carrington Colby
Arthur Hailey's the Moneychangers, 1976 NBC TV mini-series. Collins portrayed Avril Devereaux

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
Rules of Engagement, episode Les-bro, originally aired November 8, 2010
Footballers' Wives, season five, episodes five and six, originally aired March 23 and 30, 2006
Will & Grace, episode My Best Friend's Tush, originally aired May 16, 2000
The Nanny, episode Me and Mrs. Joan, originally aired October 30, 1996
Roseanne, episode First Cousin, Twice Removed, originally aired February 16, 1993
Faerie Tale Theatre, episode Hansel and Gretel, originally aired December 5, 1983
The Love Boat, episode The Captain's Crush/Off-Course Romance/Out of My Hair, originally aired February 19, 1983
Tales of the Unexpected, episode Georgy Porgy, originally aired April 26, 1980
Tales of the Unexpected, episode A Girl Can't Always Have Everything, originally aired 1980
Fantasy Island, episode My Fair Pharaoh/The Power, originally aired May 10, 1980
Tales of the Unexpected, episode Neck, originally aired April 28, 1979
Starsky and Hutch, episode Starsky and Hutch on Playboy Island, originally aired September 17, 1977
Future Cop, episode The Kansas City Kid, originally aired April 30, 1977
The Fantastic Journey, episode Turnabout, originally aired April 7, 1977
Gibbsville, episode Andrea, originally aired December 23, 1976
Police Woman, episode The Trick Book, originally aired September 28, 1976
Baretta, episode Pay or Die, originally aired January 28, 1976
Police Woman, episode The Pawn Shop, originally aired January 20, 1976
Space: 1999, episode Mission of the Darians, originally aired December 12, 1975
Switch, episode Stung from Beyond, originally aired September 30, 1975
Ellery Queen, episode The Adventure of Auld Lang Syne, originally aired September 11, 1975
Great Mysteries, episode The Dinner Party, originally aired September 29, 1973
The Persuaders!, episode Five Miles to Midnight, originally aired January 7, 1972
Mission: Impossible, episode Nicole, originally aired March 30, 1969
The Danny Thomas Hour, episode The Demon Under the Bed, originally aired October 9, 1967
Batman, episode The Wail of the Siren, originally aired September 28, 1967
The Virginian, episode The Lady from Wichita, originally aired September 27, 1967
Batman, episode Ring Around the Riddler, originally aired September 21, 1967
Star Trek, episode The City on the Edge of Forever, originally aired April 6, 1967
The Man from U.N.C.L.E., episode The Galatea Affair, originally aired September 30, 1966
Run for Your Life, episode The Borders of Barbarism, originally aired September 26, 1966
The Human Jungle, episode Struggle for a Mind, originally aired October 12, 1964

joan collins links

Joan Collins: The Official Website
This site is the last word about actress Joan Collins. Look for biographical information, latest news, photos, and merchandise.

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Watch the trailers for Joan Collins' 1975 horror film The Devil Within Her and 1977 horror film Empire of the Ants

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Watch Joan Collins in the 1954 thriller The Good Die Young
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