Jackie Collins

writer

Collins was born in London in 1937, the younger daughter of Elsa Bessant and Joseph William Collins, a theatrical agent whose clients included Shirley Bassey, The Beatles and Tom Jones. Collins began in acting roles, in a series of British B movies in the 1950s. She also made appearances in the 1960s ITC television series *Danger Man* and *The Saint* before giving up an on-screen career. She has since played herself in a few television series including *Minder*. Jackie Collins started writing as a teenager, making up steamy stories her schoolmates paid to devour. Her first book, *The World is Full of Married Men* became a sensational bestseller because of its open sexuality and the way it dealt honestly with the double standard. *Hollywood Wives*, a #1 New York Times bestseller, was made into one of ABC's highest-rated miniseries starring Anthony Hopkins and Candice Bergen. Ms. Collins lives in Los Angeles, California. Her hobbies are soul music, taking photographs and driving to exotic locations so that she can write about them later.