Joan Collins Biography

Fast Facts

• Has supported and providing patronage for charities such as the International Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities and the Shooting Star Children's Hospice
• Was honored as an Officer of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997
• Became enamored with movies and decided that she wanted to become an actress after seeing the 1939 film version of "The Wizard of Oz" at a young age
• After completing her training at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she began her acting career with her father serving as her first agent
• Her first performance was on stage at the age of 9, when she acted in a production of "A Doll's House" at the Arts Theatre in London
• Quote: "Show me a person who has never made a mistake and I'll show you somebody who has never achieved much․"
• Quote: "The secret of having a personal life is not answering too many questions about it․"
• In addition to her acting, she has also written more than 15 books that range from fiction and non-fiction to memoirs, selling more than 50 million copies between them
• She has provided endorsements through commercials, advertisements and even billboards for a number of high-profile products such as Olympus, Old Navy, Marriot, Snickers and Canada Dry Ginger Ale
• Beginning in the 1950s with "Lady Godiva Rides Again," she has acted in film, TV and theatre for more than six consecutive decades