I can honestly say that the coolest thing about getting to meet Joan Collins is to be the official owner of the bragging rights that enable you to say “I met Joan Collins.” I mentioned long ago when I met her co-star Linda Evans that I wasn’t a fan of the TV show Dynasty by any stretch of the imagination, but I certainly recognize its status as a major force in night time soap opera dramas from the 1980’s.
While Joan’s career actaully goes back several decades before Dynasty even made its way into the homes of housewives everywhere. She was considered a sex symbol in the 1950’s and early ’60’s starring in such films as The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys!, The Opposite Sex, and The Road to Hong Kong. The starring film roles made way to guest TV appearances in the later 60’s and 1970’s in such shows as Batman, Star Trek, Police Woman, and Mission: Impossible.
But in the 1980’s, she struck gold with her starring role as Alexis Carrington in the at-first-struggling nighttime soap Dynasty. She remained in the part from 1981-1989, leaving behind a legacy of tabloid headlines and soap opera magazine covers.
Although her autographs were kind of pricey at $50 for the signature and photo op combo, I really had very little choice now did I? I couldn’t very well let my Dynasty cast shot that already had the signature of Linda Evans on it go unsigned could I? And I certainly couldn’t let the chance to get a photograph with the legendary Golden Globe winner Joan Collins slip by could I?
No, I could not. So heeding the friendly warning from her handler not to touch her, I had my photo signed and got a couple of nice pictures with her. Typically I’m very unimpressed by the cosmetic work that many older actresses get, but I’ll have to admit that hers was pretty darn impressive. If I hadn’t known better I’d probably never have guessed that she was just a year away from turning 80 years old.
Even if Joan Collins didn’t impress me, I’ll have to admit that Joan Colllins kind of impressed me.
Celebrity encounters from the Fall 2012 Chiller Theatre show will continue…
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