Jaclyn Smith: ‘We Have to Realize What Keeps Us Young’

‘Charlie’s Angels’ actress-turned-entrepreneur says, ‘A lot of aging is your mentality and how old you feel’

Linda Childers,

AARP

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Published July 24, 2024

Jaclyn Smith against purple ombre background

AARP (Randee St Nicholas)

Jaclyn Smith, 78, rose to fame as detective Kelly Garrett on the iconic TV show Charlie’s Angels, but it’s her successful role as a business entrepreneur that she’s focusing on these days. “Right now, I’m busier than when I was on a TV series, and I have so many irons in the fire,” Smith says. Those irons include a flourishing clothing, skincare, wig and textile collection; a new fragrance, Jackie; and her fall clothing collection, available on the Home Shopping Network. Smith shares with AARP how she’s keeping fit these days, spending time with her grandkids and working to maintain a youthful outlook.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How did your new fragrance come about?

Jackie came from a fragrance I’ve worn for many, many years. My husband [cardiothoracic surgeon Brad Allen, 69] surprised me on a trip to France years ago, saying, ‘I’m going to take you to this little shop, and you’re going to be able to create your own fragrance.’ So the original fragrance was made with oils, and I wore it for 15 years, until I couldn’t get the oils anymore. Last year, when my granddaughter Bea was asked to write in school about someone she admired, she picked me, and one of the things she said was, ‘Oh, my grandma smells so good.’ And I thought, Wow, I need to share this fragrance.

Jaclyn Smith spraying perfume with flowers around her

Smith's new fragrance, Jackie, is available on HSN on July 23.

Randee St Nicholas

Do you have any style tips for women over 50?

I think every woman needs things that are go-to no-brainers — pieces that always work. A white shirt and black pants might sound boring, but not if you add a great belt or a scarf around your neck or accessorize the look with a jacket. You know, there’s got to be things that make life easy, because we’re all multitasking in so many different directions.

How has your exercise regimen changed over the years?

I’m trying to do more weights. I love Pilates. I was a dancer, and I’m very body aware. I also stretch from being a dancer. I think stretching helps prevent injury. I’m a breast cancer survivor, so that caused some bone loss. I think weights are important to combat age-related muscle loss. My husband just told me I should do “fast-twitch” exercises with my personal trainer. This means you change positions quickly. You may start doing weights, and you’re doing them fast, and then you put them down and do a lunge. My husband says building fast-twitch muscles prevents falling. I’m physically very active, running after three granddaughters and being married to a heart surgeon.

How do you like to spend time with your grandkids?

Well, with my grandkids, you run when they run. And if they want to go to the park, you go to the park. One granddaughter [Bea] is 7, one [Olivia] is 5 and the other [Wren] is 1. I don’t get to see the youngest one as much because she lives in Virginia with my son [Gaston, 42]. But the other two — wow, I mean, their imaginations! We have a little playhouse where we go out there and cook. We pick flowers in my garden, and their minds are so advanced and active. I want them to remain children as long as they can.

You recently appeared on the CW show All American. Do you have any other acting projects coming up?

Oh, I had fun filming that show. I’m currently reading a script, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it, because of my branding. I just don’t know if my schedule will permit it. But I love acting, and so I try to work it in, and All American is a great show that’s very popular with young people. So we worked out when I could film it, and they worked around my schedule. It’s been picked up for another season, too, which is nice.

What do you do to de-stress?

I exercise, and I love film and reading books from authors, including Pat Conroy. And if I’m really stressed at the end of the day, I pick up a book or watch a film. I think that’s fun.

Would you go back and do anything differently in your career?

Jaclyn Smith with Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson in their younger years

Smith starred alongside Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson on the hit TV show, "Charlie's Angels."

ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images

Once my film career took off, I went in that direction, and I turned down some Broadway shows and plays, which I love so much. And it’s just that I got into a niche. Even after Charlie’s Angels, I had so many opportunities, but I continued to do the miniseries, which was good. But I just think live theater is so important, and although I did some, maybe I would have chosen to do more, you know?

Do you have any big plans for your 80th birthday?

This year I turn 79. I think a lot of aging is your mentality and how old you feel. I have another year until I turn 80, but it’s shocking to me to think about that, because I feel so young. I don’t feel my age at all. I’m not into big birthday celebrations. We celebrate as a family. But no, I haven’t really thought about my 80th yet.

What’s your attitude on aging?

It’s a state of mind. I mean, we’re all going to do it, [so] we have to realize what keeps us young and to keep going. It’s important to continue working out and to keep yourself in a good frame of mind. I was lucky to have good examples growing up. My grandfather on my mom’s side was a minister. I can’t tell you how wonderful he was. And he lived to be 101. My mother lived to be 95. And she was young at heart and looked amazing. Maybe it’s just really about being loved, you know, that keeps you young. When you’re surrounded with love, I think that helps so much. And, you know, I’ve been fortunate enough to have that. I grew up with it, and I have it now.

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Linda Childers has written for a number of media outlets including Costco Connection, O, U.S. News and World Report, The Washington Post and Woman’s Day. She lives in California with her family and rescue dog.

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