Joan Collins details her journey from being a talented young dancing student, to reaching the pinnacle of her career by joining the cast of “The Dynasty” in the early 80s. Through modeling, she was approached at an early age about pursuing a career in films, but she hoped for a theatrical career. However, her agent installed confidence in her, and she started out with small film roles, but would eventually become a leading lady. She would. however, have her days performing on the big stage.
Collins insists that she always paid her own way, despite her multiple marriages. In a strange twist of fate, Collins married the man she claims raped her at age seventeen – Maxwell Reed. It would be an abusive relationship. as she would eventually move back in with her parents after divorcing the Irish actor. She speaks openly about her many relationship, which included Sydney Chaplin (Charlie Chaplin’s son), George Englund (who was married to Cloris Leachman at the time). Harry Belafonte, and Warren Beatty. Collins became pregnant with Beatty’s child, but they agreed to have an abortion. Collins also admits to dating Larry Hagman for a time, but turning down Jack Nicholson.
In the book, Collins reflects on her early success, and questions if it had happened too soon. She encourages aspiring actors to take acting lessons and study the craft. For a time, she felt studios gave her acting roles that bigger stars turned down. Collins shares intriguing stories about many of the roles she accepted, including having to learn how to ride a horse, playing a nun, and learning to perform as a stripper. She recalls the stripper rehearsals turned many heads at the studio. Collins discusses her decision to do “tasteful nudity,” even in her forties.
She also mentions her fascination with astrology, but wouldn’t reveal her actual date of birth. Collins shares stories of meeting the likes of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. Collins writes of her alarming car ride with Dean, shortly before the rising young actor would be tragically die in a traffic accident.
In addition to her movie roles, Collins appeared in many television shows, as discussed in the book, such as Starksy and Hutch, Batman, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island. Collins confesses that when she was initially approached about doing “Dynasty,” she wasn’t overall excited. After all, Sophia Loren and Raquel Welch had been considered for the role of Alexis, not to mention the show had been on television for thirteen weeks, and only ranked forty five in the ratings.
By: Joan Collins
Narrated by: Joan Collins
Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins
Release date: 07-06-21
Publisher: Podium Audio