Jacquelyn Ellen Smith, professionally known as Jaclyn Smith, was born on October 26, 1945, in Houston, Texas. After graduating from high school, she initially pursued a career as a renowned ballerina. However, her path took an unexpected turn when she landed a job as a Breck shampoo model in 1973.
Four years later, in 1976, Smith was offered a chance to star in a pilot for a new television series, titled Charlie's Angels. The pilot was well-received, and the show became an instant hit when it premiered on ABC on September 22, 1976.
Notably, Smith is the only original "Angel" to remain with the show throughout its entire five-season run, spanning from 1976 to 1981. Additionally, she is the only "Angel" from the television series to make an appearance in either of the movie adaptations. She had an uncredited cameo in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003),playing the role of Kelly Garrett, and offering advice to the new generation of angels.
Following her successful stint on Charlie's Angels, Smith transitioned to TV-movies, starring in productions such as Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy (1981),for which she received a Golden Globe nomination, and miniseries like The Bourne Identity (1988),Rage of Angels (1983),and Windmills of the Gods (1988).
In addition to her acting career, Smith has had significant success with her clothing line at Kmart, which she launched in 1985, and is often a spokesperson for various brands. Her personal life has been marked by three marriages to actors Roger Davis and Dennis Cole, as well as cinematographer Anthony B. Richmond, with whom she had two children before divorcing in 1989. Her fourth and current marriage is to physician Dr. Brad Allen, whom she married in 1997. Together, they created a skincare line that Smith promotes.