Joan Collins
Born: 23rd May 1933
Where: London, England
The daughter of a theatrical booking agent, Joan studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art for 18 months and made her film debut in 1951 as a beauty pageant contestant in Lady Godiva Rides Again.
She appeared in a handful of other British films before gaining international attention in 1955, as the femme fatale in Howard Hawks' epic of ancient Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs.
A year later, Joan ventured to Hollywood and immediately capitalised on her sultry appeal in The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, portraying Evelyn Nesbit Thaw, whose involvement with prominent architect Stanford White brought about his shocking murder in early 20th Century NYC.
Joan worked infrequently during her 1963-71 marriage to Anthony Newley, although she starred opposite him in his notorious sex comedy Can Hieronymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?
During 1967, Joan made several television appearances.
When she returned to films, it was in thrillers and horror sci-fi films like Inn of the Frightened People, Tales From the Crypt, Tales That Witness Madness, and Empire of the Ants, as well as The Big Sleep.
Joan returned to the London stage in 1980, with The Last of Mrs Cheney, before she landed the role of super-bitch Alexis Carrington in the prime-time TV soap Dynasty.
This role, which she played from 1981-89, opened up a whole new world of opportunity for her, and bought her greater worldwide fame and recognition.
Playboy beckoned, featuring her as 50 Is Beautiful, and she debuted her Joan Collins Fashion Eyewear Line in 1985.
Joan had already written three books including a kiss-and-tell autobiography, Past Imperfect, when she followed in sister Jackie's footsteps and published her first novel, Prime Time.
In 1997, she was awarded an OBE.
In 2000, she also appeared in the play Love Letters, where she met Percy Gibson.
With age not an issue, Percy who is 31 years Joan's junior, began a relationship with her in early 2001. They are now married.
