Joan Collins

Joan Collins, shown here in the 1955 musical THE GIRL IN THE RED VELVET SWING. Collins was born in Paddington, London, on May 23, 1933. She made her film debut in the short film "Facts and Fancies" (1951), and her feature film debut in "Lady Godiva Rides Again" (1951). She had supporting roles as the Greek maid Marina in "The Woman's Angle" (1952) and gangster's moll Lil Carter in "Judgment Deferred" (1952). Collins had her big break when cast as juvenile delinquent Norma Hart in prison drama "I Believe in You" (1952). She was hailed as Britain's new "bad girl" and started being offered high-profile roles in British films. The next stage in her career started when cast as Princess Nellifer of Egypt in the historical epic "Land of the Pharaohs" (1955). Studio executive Darryl Francis Zanuck was sufficiently impressed to offer Collins a 7-year-long contract with American studio 20th Century Fox. Collins took the offer. Her first American film was the historical drama "The Virgin Queen" (1955), where she shared the top-billing with established stars Bette Davis and Richard Todd. Collins then played the leading role of actress Evelyn Nesbit in the biographical film "The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing" (1955), a role that was originally intended for Marilyn Monroe. Collins continued to receive top billing in such films as "The Opposite Sex" (1956), "Sea Wife" (1956), "Island in the Sun" (1957), "The Wayward Bus" (1957), "Stopover Tokyo" (1957), "The Bravados" (1958), "Seven Thieves" (1960) and "The Road to Hong Kong" (1962). Collins started appearing frequently on television guest star roles, including the villainous Siren in "Batman", and pacifist spokeswoman Edith Keeler in "Star Trek: The Original Series". Throughout the 1970s, she appeared frequently in British thriller and horror films, such "Revenge" (1971), "Tales from the Crypt" (1972), "Fear in the Night" (1972) and "I Don't Want to Be Born" (1975). She was catapulted back to stardom with the lead role of nymphomaniac Fontaine Khaled in the erotic drama "The Stud" (1978), which was followed with a sequel film ''The Bitch'' (1979), another hit. Collins found herself in high demand in both stage and film. But she gained more notoriety with the television role of Alexis Carington in "Dynasty". Her performance is credited with the subsequent rise of the show's Nielsen's ratings. She became a household name, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983. Collins was nominated six times for a Golden Globe Award for her role, winning once in 1983. She has never retired from acting, and continues to appear in new roles.

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