From the time Jaclyn Smith bounded into America’s living rooms as Kelly Garrett in Charlie’s Angels, she had that rare combination of elegance, resilience, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Now, at 80, she remains a cultural touchstone-and not just because of her timeless beauty, but because of a career and life story that have continuously inspired generations.
1. From Runway to Prime Time
Jaclyn’s career started in the early 1970s, modeling for campaigns such as Breck Shampoo, and then shifted into acting in shows like The Rookies and McCloud. Her breakout came in 1976 when she landed a spot on Charlie’s Angels-the only original cast member to last all five seasons. “We were independent women making our own way. Our lives weren’t revolving around men,” she once reflected on the subtle empowerment message beneath all the glamour.
2. The Birth of a Retail Pioneer
In 1985, Jaclyn took the plunge that would redefine celebrity branding. In defiance of early advice-even from Max Factor-she partnered with Kmart to launch the Jaclyn Smith Collection. One of the first celebrities to create a long-term line of fashion with a major retailer, she herself spearheaded design and quality. “One hundred million women are wearing them, and it’s been phenomenally successful,” she said, with annual sales as high as $600 million.
3. Expansion of the Empire
Her business acumen did not stop there. Jaclyn created home furnishings, a fabric line with Fabricut, a skincare line co-created with her husband Dr. Brad Allen, and STYLE by Jaclyn Smith wigs with José Eber-an idea born out of compassion for women going through cancer treatment. “Wigs can give that woman femininity and make her come alive again,” she said.
4. A Battle with Breast Cancer
In 2002, Jaclyn had a routine mammogram that showed Stage 1 breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy and radiation and made it through with the help of family and friends. “Knowledge is power. Without it we’re lost,” she reiterated as she encouraged women to bring someone with them to medical appointments and to seek out emotional and informational networks. Her work supporting Susan G. Komen and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation stands as a benchmark in her commitment to helping others through the journey she once faced.
5. Philanthropy at the Heart
Since 1985, Jaclyn has supported AbilityFirst, which serves children and adults with disabilities. She has also worked, through the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, to keep her late co-star’s courageous spirit alive. Often, her charitable work intersects with business, as portions of product sales go toward cancer research.
6. Reinvention and Longevity
After 36 years at Kmart, Jaclyn made one of the biggest leaps of her life when she relaunched her line of apparel with RDG Global in 2022. “Go toward the fear, the unknown terrain, because that’s where the fruit is,” she said, reinforcing her belief in challenging herself. Her designs still hold value and quality, making them attractive to customers who have “followed and grown up” with her.
7. Family is the Foundation
Through marriages, motherhood, and now grandmotherhood, Jaclyn’s anchor has been her family. She talks with pride of the devotion her son Gaston has shown his wife and children, as much as of the nurturing spirit of her daughter Spencer. “Family is the only thing that really lasts,” she says-a feeling which shapes her life as much as her career.
8. Cultural Legacy of an Angel
Charlie’s Angels was more than a television hit; it represented a shifting cultural conversation about women’s roles. Jaclyn’s portrayal managed to balance glamour with capability in a way that would leave the door open for other female-led franchises. “It helped define who we were and where we went,” she said of its impact.
9. Ageless Beauty and Wellness
Admirers envy her seemingly ageless looks, evidence of a well-disciplined lifestyle of self-care. She works out regularly, eats only organic foods, and does not indulge in alcohol or drugs. “Challenges release endorphins and keep you young,” she says, referring to work and creativity as sources of rejuvenation. The 80 years of Jaclyn Smith speak to breaking molds, building empires, and giving back. Whether on screen, in a boardroom, or at a charity event, she continues to show that grace and grit can grow more powerful with time.
