October 26, 2015, - 10:54 pm

Feel Old? Charlie’s Angel Jaclyn Smith Turns 70; Kate Jackson 67 This Week

By Debbie Schlussel

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Happy 70th, Jaclyn Smith (Charlie’s Angels cards from the Schlussel collection)

Can’t let the day go by without noting that Charlie’s Angel Jaclyn Smith turned 70 today. As a Gen X-er, it’s notable to me because I grew up watching the show in the late ’70s and early ’80s, and it didn’t shy away from showing glamorous women holding guns and knowing how to use them.

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Jaclyn Smith Now

Also, I don’t measure my age by what year I was born or how old I am, but by the age of the pop culture and historical figures I grew up on. I liked Charlie’s Angels, not just because they were women with guns, but because they were strong without being bitchy, man-hating, or lesbionic. They were strong and feminine. Glamorous, fashionable, and they knew how to use their weapons. Instead of playing with Barbie dolls, I had the Charlie’s Angels dolls plus their firearms (and their van). It was fun playing with those along with my friends. My favorite was Jaclyn Smith, born Jacquelyn Ellen Smith (who played original Angel, Kelly Garrett).

I recently watched an old episode of the show on COZI-TV (it is a digital channel that is available on the regular airwaves–you don’t need cable). I’m not really sure the show stands up to the test of time, but it is better than a lot of crap on TV today. I remember that when the show was in its prime, critics complained about the “jiggle factor” of the show. But look at the Kardashians and Real Housewives (there isn’t much jiggle because their silicone and restylane don’t move), and it’s relatively superior by comparison.

Regardless, I liked Jaclyn Smith because she not only remained a timeless classic beauty, but she leveraged her name into a multi-million dollar business licensing her name to Kmart, where it still sells today and is celebrating its 30th anniversary. She was one of the first celebs to do this and see the capitalism beyond life on the small screen, and she now has a beauty/skincare line, home decor, and a line of wigs. Smith never became a big movie star–the Angels actresses were all typecast and became Lifetime TV movie of the week queens, including Smith, who also did several TV miniseries. But she became a successful businesswoman and also fought and beat breast cancer. And, today, at 70, she looks terrific (with the obvious help of a lot of plastic surgery and fillers). One other thing: she’s a Republican–she gave several thousand dollars in campaign contributions over the years, all of it to the Republican National Committee, earmarked for national and state elections.

Happy Birthday, Jaclyn Smith–a blast from the past.

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In case you were wondering, original Angel Kate Jackson turns 67 on Thursday (October 29th) (and, of course, Farrah Fawcett died of cancer in 2009 at the age of 62. Replacement Angel Cheryl Ladd is 64.




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24 Responses

Believe it or not!

Years ago when “CHARLIE’S ANGELS” aired, there was no TV Show record functions or boxes – if I recall correctly. So, when our Hockey Team had a game scheduled early enough to play it, you never saw a Dressing Room clear-out so fast as some of the guys moved so they could get home to catch the show!!!

HOT STUFF in those days…

Dennis on October 27, 2015 at 8:49 am

I’m with you Debbie as I was in love with this show back in the day. Believe it or not Kelly was my favorite angel. Oh sure Farrah Fawcett got all of the play and my older brother loved her but Kelly was it for me. We used to argue about things like (all my favorites are in CAPS). MARY ANN vs. Ginger, WONDER WOMAN vs. The Bionic Woman, I DREAM OF GENIE vs. Bewitched. I could go on but you get it. What young boy didn’t like shows that had good looking women kicking butt with style. They just don’t make shows like this anymore instead they make them into movies starring losers like Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore. It was good that Smith was able to use her fame to market herself beyond being an actress. It’s also good that she didn’t become another Hollyweird leftist nincompoop like Maggie Gyllenhaal or the before mentioned Diaz.

Ken B on October 27, 2015 at 8:55 am

    Wonder Woman and Genie, no brainer.

    Richard on October 28, 2015 at 2:13 pm

WOW! is that really how she looks? Even assuming she’s had some work, she looks great! She was always my fave Angel…

Sean M on October 27, 2015 at 9:11 am

What, no mention of the two women who came after Ms. Jackson left the series, Shelley Hack and her replacement Tanya Roberts?

But in all seriousness, since Ms. Smith’s post-“Charlie’s Angels” career of countless miniseries and TV-movies was mentioned, I have to disclose that a former upstairs neighbor (who now lives in upstate New York) was an extra in the 1986 TV-movie “Rage of Angels: The Story Continues” in which Ms. Smith starred. He was one of the passengers on a subway train (very likely an R46 prior to rebuilding) in a scene filmed at the 57th Street and 6th Avenue subway station in midtown Manhattan.

ConcernedPatriot on October 27, 2015 at 9:48 am

Never saw the attraction that people had for Farrah Fawcett, with all due respect to her as a child of God with a chance at citizenship in the coming Kingdom. She was a bone, and I don’t like bony women. Not a great face, either. I just don’t understand when women who are not that good looking are built up to be these incredible beauties. Please, don’t tell me what a great hair style that was, either. I’ve heard it all.

None of the Angels had great bodies, but Jaclyn Smith had a great face. Fit bodies yes, but not great bodies, although Cheryl Ladd represented a step up for the Angels in the looks department. It was a fun show, and it’s a shame it probably wouldn’t pass muster in today’s politically correct TV production environment. David Doyle was great as the liaison to Charlie, voiced by John Forsythe.

Thanks to Debbie for being honest enough to point out that despite her affection for the show, Jaclyn Smith has obviously had a LOT of work done. Cheek implants, you name it, that photo is not a natural progression for a 70 year old woman’s face, no matter how much exercise one does and proper nutrition adhered to.

OH!!! One last thing while we’re on the subject of Hollywood. Quentin Tarantino is a low life piece of walking garbage. Support your local police department.

Alfredo from Puerto Rico on October 27, 2015 at 11:58 am

The show featured good looking women that used their good looks and their guns to solve cases and help other people.

It was before PC so they were all white and hetero.

Farah (Jill) had the name, the hair, and was NOT brunette.

Great article remembering a good TV show.

Panhandle on October 27, 2015 at 1:40 pm

Never watched the show, but I had a Farrah Fawcett poster in my room in 1975.

DS_ROCKS! on October 27, 2015 at 1:54 pm

i tried to get my daughter to watch some classic 70’s ‘loveboat’ episode with me and she couldn’t stand it for five minutes. lol.

sure, the shows were corny but i enjoy the light entertainment aspect of 70’s TV. the moral to every story and none of the brutal violence, gay perversion, anti-americanism, etc. just good, clean fun.

kirche on October 27, 2015 at 2:01 pm

Ahhhh, The Love Boat, another fun show you could just kick back, watch and relax your mind to. None of the negative stuff kirche mentioned. Right on. And some REALLY hot women walking around in the background.

Alfredo from Puerto Rico on October 27, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    You said it Alfredo. The Love Boat was some good entertainment back in the 70s and 80s. The cruise director McCoy was a cutie who if I’m not mistaken wound up with the ship’s doctor. TV back then was good unlike the crap we have now.

    Ken B on October 27, 2015 at 2:30 pm

I’ll echo some of the sentiments expressed in this forum. Jaclyn Smith was and is a real beauty. I did not realize she was also a successful business woman and Republican i.e. Capitalist. Good for her.

On a sad note Yvonne Craig AKA Batgirl and Melody Patterson AKA Wrangler Jane on F-Troop recently passed away. Another part of my youth gone.

Peter on October 27, 2015 at 7:20 pm

Oooooooh, I missed the one about Yvonne Craig. Always a favorite of mine, and REALLY HOT chick!!!

Alfredo from Puerto Rico on October 27, 2015 at 8:18 pm

Debbie,

I still have a few of those Charlie’s Angels trading cards and stickers. I was moving and found them in an old box of childhood keepsakes. Lol

Michael on October 28, 2015 at 1:32 am

Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson, and Cheryl Ladd were politically conservative and Farrah became more

Carol on October 28, 2015 at 3:54 am

Don’t know what happened above. Sorry. Farrah became more conservative as she got older.

Carol on October 28, 2015 at 3:58 am

Yes, I liked Charlie’s Angels too, but unfortunately the trend since that time is that almost all action shows feature women, with men in a subordinate role. Of course, the latest is Supergirl, but there are also Laura, Rizzoli & Isles, The Good Wife, etc.

No more Perry Mason, McCloud, Mannix, Mr. Lucky, The Rogues, a politically incorrect Hawaii Five-O, or horror upon horror, Hunter, although by the time Hunter aired, political correctness was not altogether absent. A constant tension between political correctness and old-fashioned action there.

Foreign series are a little better, but someone who is not a politically correct feminist will have trouble today watching TV.

Two doors — which is worse, current TV action shows or current TV ‘news’ shows?

LA: That’s a great point. I liked “Hunter.” I like “Strike Back,” which was European and then adapted for Cinemax. DS

Little Al on October 28, 2015 at 1:22 pm

You had women who could get the job done without being “Butch”. You were not subjected to a bunch of private problems in that series, unlike what you would find in a cop show today.

Worry on October 28, 2015 at 4:17 pm

I’m afraid that Charlie’s Angels began the popularization of “strong women” (meaning, ridiculously, women who could easily take on the average man). This was hidden by the casting of the parts, but it is no less important for that.

S: I disagree. To my memory, they never overpowered men, except when they had guns. And they were often overpowered by men. Can you please give me an example? I may be wrong, and I definitely did not see every episode. Thanks. DS

skzion on October 28, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    Debbie, I will defer to you on this matter as it’s been a long time and I was never a fan of the show.

    skzion on October 29, 2015 at 3:48 pm

Hi dear Debbie!How Wonderful Loved Charlie`s Angels Jaclyn Smith looks beautiful at 70 ..So Glad she fought and beat cancer!God Bless her! and She is a Republican Lovly….Farrah,Kate are and were beautiful as well.Thanks Dear Debbie for sharing. (Happy birthday to wonderful Jaclyn Smith)God Bless You Debbie TG.

Tirdad Gharib on October 29, 2015 at 10:22 am

Charlies Angels was one of my favorite TV shows. Yes fellow Texan Farrah was my favorite then but looking at them now as an adult Smith was just gorgeous with beautiful curves. I too had the famous Farrah poster on my bedroom wall. Thanks for the nostalgia Debbie!

Larry on October 31, 2015 at 2:12 pm

The Charlie’s Angels actresses are still babes. Always, They are beautiful and lovely. For your Star Trek Trekkers, remember the episode “That Which Survives.”

Concerned Citizen on November 4, 2015 at 2:56 am

Aaaah, this was my favorite show EVER!!! So much great TV back in the 70’s and 80’s. After that, television (including MTV) became an un-watchable wasteland of family bashing and nonsense. Jacqueline Smith looks AMAZING for 70 years old. Holy crap.

Northeastern on November 9, 2015 at 12:48 pm

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