
Joan Collins Bio: Spouse, Net Worth, Age, TV Shows, Age, Siblings, Children, Movies, Family
Biography
Joan Collins, born Dame Joan Henrietta Collins on May 23, 1933, in London, England, is a legendary English actress, author, and columnist whose career has spanned more than seven decades.
She first made her mark in British cinema during the 1950s before crossing over to Hollywood, appearing in notable films such as The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955) and Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys! (1958). However, her unforgettable portrayal of the glamorous and scheming Alexis Carrington in the hit 1980s TV series Dynasty catapulted her to international stardom and earned her a Golden Globe Award.
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Beyond the screen, Collins has proven her versatility with a successful writing career, publishing a string of novels and memoirs, including the bestseller Past Imperfect.
Known for her enduring beauty, wit, and unapologetic glamour, Joan Collins was made a Dame in 2015 in recognition of her contributions to the arts. She continues to be celebrated as a timeless icon of style, talent, and tenacity in the world of entertainment.
English actress and author | |
Joan Collins | |
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Wiki Facts & About Data | |
Real Name: | Dame Joan Henrietta Collins |
Stage Name: | Joan Collins |
Born: | 23 May 1933 (age 91 years old) |
Place of Birth: | Paddington, London, United Kingdom |
Nationality: | English |
Education: | Francis Holland School, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
Height: | 1.68 m |
Parents: | Elsa Bessant, Joseph William Collins |
Siblings: | Jackie Collins, Bill Collins |
Spouse: | Percy Gibson (m. 2002), Peter Holm (m. 1985–1987), Ron Kass (m. 1972–1983), Anthony Newley (m. 1963-1971), Maxwell Reed (m. 1952-1956) |
Boyfriend • Partner: | William Shatner (1967), Harry Belafonte (1957), George Hamilton (1986), Mick Flick (1984), Marlon Brando (1959), Jeffrey Hunter (1958), Robert Wagner (1957), Stephen Boyd (1956), Robert Evans (1954), Gardner McKay, Terence Stamp, Tim (1995), Bill Wiggins (1987), Ryan O’Neal (1971), Warren Beatty (1959 – 1960), Paul Newman (1958), Ramfis Trujillo (1958), George Englund (1958 – 1959), Conrad Hilton (1957), Conrad Hilton Jr. (1957), Arthur M. Loew Jr. (1956 – 1957), Sydney Chaplin (1954 – 1955), Larry Hagman (1949 – 1950), Morgan Mason, Robin Hurlstone (1988 – 2001), James Hanson |
Children: | Tara Newley, Katyana Kennedy Kass, Alexander Newley |
Occupation: | Actress • Author |
Net Worth: | $20 million (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Joan Henrietta Collins was born on May 23, 1933, in Paddington, London, England. She is of English descent, with her ethnicity primarily rooted in British heritage. Her religious background is less publicly defined, though she was raised in a family with some ties to the Church of England, typical of mid-20th-century Britain.
Her parents were Joseph William Collins, a theatrical agent of South African origin who represented stars like Shirley Bassey and The Beatles, and Elsa Bessant, a British dance teacher and nightclub hostess. Joan was the eldest of three children. Her younger sister, Jackie Collins, became a renowned novelist, while her brother, Bill Collins, pursued a career in property development.
For her education, Joan attended the Francis Holland School, an independent day school for girls in London. She later trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), one of the UK’s most prestigious drama schools, where she honed her acting skills before launching her career in the early 1950s.
Career
Joan Collins has crafted an extraordinary career in entertainment spanning more than seventy years, encompassing film, television, theater, and writing. She began acting in the early 1950s, making her screen debut with a minor role in Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951).
Her early performances in British films like I Believe in You (1952) and Cosh Boy (1953) quickly drew attention to her talent and striking screen presence. By the mid-1950s, she had caught the eye of 20th Century Fox and transitioned to Hollywood stardom, appearing in films such as The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955), where she portrayed Evelyn Nesbit, and The Opposite Sex (1956), a musical adaptation of The Women.
She went on to star alongside notable leading men in Sea Wife (1957) with Richard Burton and Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys! (1958) with Paul Newman.
Through the 1960s and 1970s, Collins moved seamlessly between film and television, with credits in films like The Executioner (1970) and Quest for Love (1971), and appearances in iconic TV series such as Star Trek (1967) and The Persuaders! (1971). In the late ’70s, she embraced a new phase of her career with the provocative films The Stud (1978) and The Bitch (1979), adapted from her sister Jackie Collins’ bestselling novels. These roles revitalized her public image and spotlighted her enduring allure.
Her career-defining moment came in 1981 when she was cast as the fiery and glamorous Alexis Carrington on the hit primetime soap Dynasty. Her performance as the scheming ex-wife of oil magnate Blake Carrington captivated audiences worldwide and earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama in 1982. She became an enduring symbol of ’80s television and high fashion, remaining on the show until its conclusion in 1989 and later reprising the role in Dynasty: The Reunion (1991).
Collins continued to thrive post-Dynasty, with memorable roles in TV shows such as Will & Grace, The Royals, and American Horror Story: Apocalypse (2018). She also returned to film in projects like The Time of Their Lives (2017) and graced the stage with acclaimed performances in both West End and Broadway productions, including Private Lives.
In addition to her acting, Collins has proven herself as a gifted writer, penning best-selling memoirs like Past Imperfect and a series of successful novels, including Star Quality. Her ability to reinvent herself and stay relevant across decades speaks to her resilience, wit, and undeniable star power.
In 2015, she was honored as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her charity services, further cementing her legacy as a beloved icon of both style and substance.
Social Media
- Wikipedia: Joan Collins
- Instagram: Joan Collins (@joancollinsdbe)
- IMDb: Joan Collins
- Facebook: Joan Collins DBE
Personal Life
Joan Collins, born on May 23, 1933, is 91 years old. Her first marriage was to Northern Irish actor Maxwell Reed in 1952, a turbulent union that ended in divorce in 1956.
In 1963, she married English entertainer Anthony Newley. Together, they had two children before divorcing in 1971. A year later, Collins wed American businessman Ron Kass, with whom she had a daughter. They separated in 1983, and Kass passed away in 1986.
Her fourth marriage to Swedish pop singer Peter Holm in 1985 was brief and contentious, ending in divorce in 1987. Since 2002, Collins has happily married Percy Gibson, a Peruvian-born theater producer 32 years her junior. The couple resides primarily in London and continues to appear together at red carpet events and social functions, embodying elegance and lasting companionship.
Collins is a proud mother of three. With Anthony Newley, she shares daughter Tara Newley (born 1963), a singer and broadcaster, and son Alexander “Sacha” Newley (born 1965), an acclaimed artist. Her daughter with Ron Kass, Katyana “Katy” Kass (born 1972), survived a life-threatening brain injury in 1980 after being struck by a car—an event Collins has spoken about with emotional candor. She is also a grandmother to three: Ava Grace and Weston, children of Tara, and Miel Celeste, daughter of Katy.
Standing at 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters), Collins’ poised presence and timeless glamour have always been part of her signature allure. Beyond her marriages, she had a colorful romantic history with a string of high-profile relationships.
Over the years, she was linked to Hollywood legends such as Warren Beatty—her most famous romance, which included a short-lived engagement in 1960—along with Paul Newman, Marlon Brando, Ryan O’Neal, Robert Wagner, and Sydney Chaplin. She also dated Conrad Hilton Jr., Tim, Robin Hurlstone, and had rumored flings with William Shatner and Harry Belafonte, among others.
Collins has never shied away from discussing her love life, often addressing it with wit and honesty in her autobiographies. Her romantic journey, from dramatic early entanglements to the stability she’s found with Percy Gibson, paints a portrait of a woman who embraced life with passion, resilience, and an unwavering sense of self.
Net Worth
Joan Collins, the iconic English actress and author, has a net worth estimated at around $20 million.
Her wealth stems from a seven-decade career, most notably her role as Alexis Carrington in Dynasty, which earned her significant earnings, reportedly up to $120,000 per episode at its peak. Beyond acting, Collins has boosted her fortune through best-selling novels and memoirs, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide, and ventures in producing and branding.
Her real estate investments, including properties in London and Los Angeles and a lavish villa in St. Tropez, further contribute to her financial standing. Despite her substantial wealth, Collins has famously remarked she isn’t “exactly rich,” lacking what she calls “f*** you money,” reflecting her perspective on maintaining her glamorous lifestyle.
Body of Work
Movies
- 1951: Lady Godiva Rides Again – Uncredited role as a beauty contestant (film debut)
- 1952: The Woman’s Angle – Minor role as a Greek maid
- 1952: Judgment Deferred – Role as a gangster’s moll
- 1952: I Believe in You – Major role as a juvenile delinquent, earning her the nickname “Britain’s Bad Girl”
- 1953: Decameron Nights – With Joan Fontaine
- 1953: Cosh Boy – England’s first X-certificate drama, directed by Lewis Gilbert
- 1953: Turn the Key Softly – Drama about three women released from prison
- 1953: The Square Ring – Boxing saga
- 1955: Land of the Pharaohs – Hollywood debut, directed by Howard Hawks
- 1955: The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing – As Evelyn Nesbit, replacing Marilyn Monroe
- 1955: The Virgin Queen – As Elizabeth Raleigh
- 1956: The Opposite Sex – Musical remake of The Women, as Crystal
- 1956: Sea Wife – As a young nun, top-billed over Richard Burton
- 1957: Island in the Sun – All-star film, a major box-office success
- 1957: The Wayward Bus – Opposite Jayne Mansfield, based on John Steinbeck’s novel
- 1957: Stopover Tokyo – Espionage thriller with Robert Wagner
- 1958: The Bravados – Western drama with Gregory Peck
- 1958: Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys! – With Paul Newman
- 1960: Seven Thieves – Heist film
- 1960: Esther and the King – As Esther
- 1969: If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium – Cameo role
- 1970: The Executioner – Spy thriller
- 1971: Quest for Love – Sci-fi romance
- 1972: Tales from the Crypt – Horror anthology film
- 1972: Fear in the Night – British horror
- 1973: Dark Places – Horror film
- 1975: I Don’t Want to Be Born (aka The Devil Within Her) – Horror
- 1977: Empire of the Ants – Sci-fi horror
- 1978: The Stud – Adaptation of Jackie Collins’ novel
- 1978: The Big Sleep – As Agnes Lozelle, with Robert Mitchum
- 1979: The Bitch – Sequel to The Stud
- 1982: Nutcracker – Feature film during Dynasty era
- 1995: In the Bleak Midwinter (aka A Midwinter’s Tale) – As a frosty agent
- 2000: The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas – As Pearl Slaghoople
- 2010: Fetish – Independent film
- 2016: Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie – Cameo appearance
- 2017: The Time of Their Lives – Lead role
- 2020: The Loss Adjuster – Released during her later career resurgence
- 2022: Tomorrow Morning – Musical film
- TBA (Filming begins May 2025): The Bitter End – As Wallis Simpson, biopic in production
TV Shows
- 1966: Star Trek – As Edith Keeler in “The City on the Edge of Forever”
- 1967: Batman – Guest role as The Siren
- 1971: The Persuaders! – Guest appearance
- 1979-1980: Tales of the Unexpected – Multiple episodes
- 1981-1989: Dynasty – As Alexis Carrington Colby, 195 episodes, defining role
- 1982: Paper Dolls – TV movie
- 1982: The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch – TV movie
- 1983: Making of a Male Model – TV movie with Jon-Erik Hexum
- 1984: Her Life as a Man – TV movie
- 1984: The Cartier Affair – TV movie with David Hasselhoff
- 1991: Dynasty: The Reunion – Reprised Alexis Carrington Colby
- 1993: Roseanne – Guest role
- 1997: Pacific Palisades – Recurring role as Christina Hobson (7 episodes)
- 2002: Guiding Light – As Alexandra Spaulding
- 2005: Footballers’ Wives – As Eva de Wolffe
- 2006: Hotel Babylon – BBC series guest role
- 2006: Dynasty Reunion: Catfights and Caviar – Special with co-stars
- 2009: Agatha Christie’s Marple: They Do It with Mirrors – As Ruth Van Rydock
- 2011-2013: Happily Divorced – Played herself in three episodes
- 2014-2017: Benidorm – Recurring role as Crystal Hennessy-Vass
- 2015-2018: The Royals – Recurring role as Alexandra, Grand Duchess of Oxford
- 2018: American Horror Story: Apocalypse – Dual roles as Evie Gallant and Bubbles McGee (4 episodes)
- 2021: Glow and Darkness – As Adelaide of Maurienne, historical drama miniseries
Theater
- 1946: A Doll’s House – Stage debut at age 9, playing a boy
- 1992: Private Lives – Broadway debut as Amanda
- 1999: Over the Moon (aka Moon Over Buffalo) – London production
- 2000: Love Letters – Where she met future husband Percy Gibson
- 2006: An Evening with Joan Collins (aka One Night with Joan) – UK tour, later worldwide as Joan Collins Unscripted
- 2006-2007: Legends! – North American tour with Linda Evans
- 2010: Full Circle – UK tour revival
Written Works (Books)
- 1978: Past Imperfect – Autobiography, revised in 1984, bestseller
- 1982: Katy: A Fight for Life – Memoir about her daughter’s recovery
- 1988: Prime Time – Novel
- 1990: Love and Desire and Hate – Novel
- 1996: Second Act – Autobiography
- 2002: Star Quality – Novel
- 2011: The World According to Joan – Memoir
- 2023: Behind the Shoulder Pads: Tales I Tell My Friends – Memoir tied to her stage tour
Additional Notes
- Collins has appeared in over 125 film and TV projects since 1951, as noted in posts on X around her 87th birthday in 2020.
- She has also contributed to periodicals as a columnist, notably for The Spectator, and published beauty books.
- Her work extends to producing, with credits including These Old Broads (2001), a TV movie she co-starred in.
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