October 26, 2015, - 10:54 pm
Feel Old? Charlie’s Angel Jaclyn Smith Turns 70; Kate Jackson 67 This Week
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.
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.
Tags: Charlie's Angels, Jaclyn Smith, Jaclyn Smith 70, Jacquelyn Ellen Smith, Kate Jackson, Kelly Garrett
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