Joan Collins (1) (1933–)
Author of Past Imperfect: An Autobiography
For other authors named Joan Collins, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
Joan Collins was born in London, England on May 23, 1933. She studied for two years at the British Academy of Dramatic Art. She is the sister of novelist Jackie Collins. She began an acting career at the age of nine with an appearance in A Doll's House at the Arts Theater in London. She has show more appeared in more than 65 films. She received the most success playing Alexis Carrington in the primetime soap opera, Dynasty which ran from 1981 to1988. She received a Golden Globe Award in 1983 for this role. Her first book, Past Imperfect, was a kiss-and-tell autobiography published in 1978. Her first novel, Prime Time, was published in 1988. Her other fiction works include Love and Desire and Hate, Too Damn Famous, Infamous, Star Quality, and Misfortune's Daughter. Her other nonfiction books include The Joan Collins Beauty Book, My Secrets, My Friends' Secrets, Joan's Way: The Art of Living Well and Second Act. In 1997, she was honored with an O.B.E. title in recognition of a lifetime of contributions to the arts, culture and charitable causes. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Works by Joan Collins
The Stud and The Bitch [DVD] 1 copy
Power of the Resurrection Includes 3 Movies: Esther & The King / Joseph & His Brethren / The Great Commandment (2016) 1 copy
Her Autobiography Past Imperfect and Two Novels Prime Time; Love And Desire And Hate - Three Complete Bestsellers (1994) 1 copy
Paper Dolls (1982) 1 copy
Homework [VHS] (1982) 1 copy
Lucky Chances 2 [TV series] — Screenwriter — 1 copy
Associated Works
Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection: Cats / Jesus Christ Superstar / Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat / The Royal Albert Hall Celebration [2004 film] (2004) — Actor, some editions — 8 copies
The Clandestine Marriage [1999 film] — Actor — 3 copies
The Good Die Young [1954 film] 3 copies
Hidden Hollywood - Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults — Host — 2 copies
Turn the Key Softly [1953 film] — Actor — 2 copies
British Film Noir: The Slasher (Cosh Boy) / Twilight Women (Women of the Twilight) (2010) — Actor — 1 copy
The Square Ring [1953 film] — Actor — 1 copy
Dynasty: Season 4 Vol. 2 — Performer — 1 copy
The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones [1976 film] — Actor — 1 copy
Decameron Nights [1953 film] 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Collins Reed Newley Kass Holm Gibson, Joan Henrietta
- Birthdate
- 1933-05-23
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Francis Holland School
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art - Occupations
- actor
novelist
memoirist
writer of nonfiction - Awards and honors
- Order of the British Empire (Officer, 1996)
- Relationships
- Collins, Jackie (sister)
Newley, Anthony (spouse) - Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- Paddington, London, England, UK
- Places of residence
- London, England, UK
- Associated Place (for map)
- London, England, UK
Members
Reviews
OK,I would never have chosen this, but I was looking after a poorly relative and had read all the cereal packets a dozen times, and in desperation found this on a bookshelf.
And shouldn't the title have been 'Too damned famous'?
I was expecting a lot better, Joan seems to be a humorous, been-round-the-block sort of woman, and I was expecting to get a view of what it was really like to be a celebrated TV star in the 80's. What Joan delivers is a 'B' movie version of a totally selfish and show more deluded Diva.
The point of view veers wildely - for instance:
Cook: 'Miss Bennett, I'm so sorry, my husband has just abandoned me and dinner will be 15 minutes late as a result'.
Miss Bennett: My god, servants are so stressful, don't I have enough to deal with, what with looking beautiful and having to get up for work and choosing what to have for dinner. ' This is very inconvenient, cook, make dinner 5 minutes late'.
'Yes mam', thinks Cook, wow that woman is so beautiful and thoughtful, I love her so much.
OK, so I'm paraphrasing and improving the dialogue, but you get the gist.
Joan had the opportunity to reveal what being an 80's star was really like from the inside. Instead she delivers a melodrama of an absurdly self-regarding woman, so awfully self-absorbed that you are astounded that only one character is trying to kill her. show less
And shouldn't the title have been 'Too damned famous'?
I was expecting a lot better, Joan seems to be a humorous, been-round-the-block sort of woman, and I was expecting to get a view of what it was really like to be a celebrated TV star in the 80's. What Joan delivers is a 'B' movie version of a totally selfish and show more deluded Diva.
The point of view veers wildely - for instance:
Cook: 'Miss Bennett, I'm so sorry, my husband has just abandoned me and dinner will be 15 minutes late as a result'.
Miss Bennett: My god, servants are so stressful, don't I have enough to deal with, what with looking beautiful and having to get up for work and choosing what to have for dinner. ' This is very inconvenient, cook, make dinner 5 minutes late'.
'Yes mam', thinks Cook, wow that woman is so beautiful and thoughtful, I love her so much.
OK, so I'm paraphrasing and improving the dialogue, but you get the gist.
Joan had the opportunity to reveal what being an 80's star was really like from the inside. Instead she delivers a melodrama of an absurdly self-regarding woman, so awfully self-absorbed that you are astounded that only one character is trying to kill her. show less
I haven't read this book since 2004 at best, and it's a fine book for what it is. But the plot and the time jumps and just the whole mess of it isn't for me.
I bought this book because I was not careful in the store and thought I had found a Jackie Collins book I hadn't read. Yeah once I started reading it I realized that writing style is just another area where Joan differs from Jackie. This was not the fun trashy to read romp I was hoping for. Ah well. I shall be more careful when picking up books in the future.
Thank you Little Brown Uk and Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.I tried to get into it, I really did. But I really wasn't enjoying it one bit so ended up just putting it down. This wasn't for me but someone out there may have different opinions
Lists
Shaking a Leg (1)
Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 32
- Also by
- 53
- Members
- 769
- Popularity
- #33,094
- Rating
- 3.7
- Reviews
- 6
- ISBNs
- 190
- Languages
- 11
