Jaclyn Smith Reflects on Turning Down Bond Role

Jaclyn Smith recently shared that she turned down the opportunity to portray a Bond girl in “Moonraker,” attributing her decision to her Texas upbringing.

“I had a contract for ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ and being raised in Houston, I respected that contract,” the 80-year-old actress mentioned during a panel at PaleyFest’s 50th Anniversary of “Charlie’s Angels.” She added that Aaron Spelling, the producer, was the one who initially invited her to the party, which made her even more committed to her agreement.

Smith reflected, saying, “I don’t think it was meant to be. I believe things occur for a reason, so I really have no complaints about it.” She was offered the role of Dr. Holly Goodhead in the 1979 film, which eventually went to Lois Chiles.

The actress also reminisced about being considered for a role in “Beetlejuice,” though she confessed she “didn’t understand” the concept at the time. “It’s unfortunate, and I know my husband wishes it had turned out differently,” she shared. However, she clarified that when she reads a script, it doesn’t always resonate with her, emphasizing the importance of what one can contribute to a role.

While she didn’t specify which role in “Beetlejuice” she was up for, the film’s iconic female leads ended up being played by Catherine O’Hara, Geena Davis, and Winona Ryder. Smith also had a near-collaboration with John Travolta on the erotic drama “9 1/2 Weeks,” but she gracefully acknowledged, “I didn’t really deserve it either,” as that role eventually went to Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. It’s interesting how things work out, but I think my journey has been quite fulfilling.

Throughout her career, Smith not only starred in “Charlie’s Angels” but also appeared in noteworthy projects like the 1988 TV movie “Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy,” and had roles in “The Bourne Identity” miniseries and shows like “Becker” and “CSI.” She noted that “Charlie’s Angels” initially aired as a two-part movie and despite an increase in viewers, the network was skeptical about the show’s potential.

“When the pilot aired, we thought it was a fluke,” she recounted, reflecting on how the network assumed there was no way the ratings could be this high again. Yet, the show quickly proved its popularity, further solidifying its place in television history.

Smith also praised Aaron Spelling’s visionary approach, stating that he had an intrinsic understanding of audience preferences. She found it perplexing how the network underestimated the concept of women leading a show, noting it took time for them to recognize the show was a success.

In a separate conversation, Kate Jackson expressed her disappointment about missing out on a role in “Kramer vs. Kramer,” which Meryl Streep won an Oscar for. Jackson explained that the film faced scheduling conflicts with “Charlie’s Angels,” leading to the missed opportunity. As she recounted, it was a matter of timing and the continuous reshuffling of schedules on both projects.