Dame Joan Henrietta Collins is an English actress, author, and columnist whose career spans over seven decades, achieving international superstardom for her iconic portrayal of the scheming Alexis Colby on the 1980s primetime soap opera Dynasty. Born on May 23, 1933, in Paddington, London, to theatrical agent Joseph William Collins and his wife Elsa, she trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her professional journey began early, signing with The Rank Organisation at age 17 and appearing in British films like Lady Godiva Rides Again and Judgment Deferred.

Her striking beauty and talent soon attracted Hollywood, leading to a contract with 20th Century Fox in 1955. That prolific year saw her star as Evelyn Nesbit in The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, Elizabeth Raleigh in The Virgin Queen alongside Bette Davis, and the memorable Princess Nellifer in the cult classic Land of the Pharaohs. Throughout the late 1950s, she continued her film work in projects such as The Opposite Sex and The Wayward Bus. After starring in the biblical epic Esther and the King in 1960, she was released from her Fox contract and her film career entered a more varied phase, including a notable appearance in an episode of the original Star Trek in 1967.

The 1970s saw Collins return to work in Britain, often in horror and thriller genres, with films like Tales from the Crypt and Empire of the Ants, the latter earning her a Saturn Award nomination. She also achieved significant success in the UK with the risqué features The Stud and The Bitch, based on novels written by her sister, author Jackie Collins. However, it was in 1981 that her career was utterly transformed when she joined the cast of Dynasty. As the glamorously villainous Alexis Colby, she became a global icon of 1980s pop culture, winning a Golden Globe Award in 1982 and receiving a Primetime Emmy nomination in 1984. The role cemented her status and earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983.

Following Dynasty, Collins remained a prolific and public figure. She authored several novels and memoirs, continued acting in television films like These Old Broads with Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Reynolds, and Shirley MacLaine, and made a celebrated return to mainstream television in the 2010s with recurring roles in series such as The Royals, Benidorm, and American Horror Story: Apocalypse. Her film work continued with projects like The Time of Their Lives. Beyond entertainment, her extensive philanthropic work, particularly for children's charities, was recognized in 2015 when Queen Elizabeth II appointed her a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Married five times, she has been wed to theatre manager Percy Gibson since 2002. Joan Collins endures as a symbol of resilience, glamour, and timeless star power.