KEYNOTE SPEAKER 2023: JACLYN SMITH
For more than three decades Jaclyn Smith has held the public’s interest as an award-winning actress, designer, inspirational cancer survivor, and role model.
A native of Houston, Texas, Jaclyn put on her first pair of dancing shoes at the age of three. She studied drama at Trinity University and she was soon in productions of “Bye Bye Birdie,” “West Side Story,” and
“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” She left Texas to pursue her dream as a dancer. While in New York, an agent believed her classic beauty made her a natural for television cameras and Jaclyn Smith soon came into American homes as the Breck shampoo girl, which led to relationships with Wella Balsam and Max Factor.
In 1976 Jaclyn starred as ‘Kelly Garrett’ on “Charlie’s Angels” and was the only actor to continue with the series for its five-year network run. Following “Charlie’s Angels,” Jaclyn earned a Golden Globe nomination for her critically acclaimed portrayal of the legendary first lady in “Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy,” one of the most highly rated telefilms of all time. In 1989 Jaclyn was honored with a star on the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1985 Jaclyn entered the business world with the introduction of her collection of women’s apparel for Kmart stores, a partnership which she celebrated over 35 years. Jaclyn entered the home furnishings market in 2002. The Jaclyn Smith Home collection was a natural reflection of her deep commitment to family and home and in September 2008 Jaclyn launched a home collection for Kmart stores including bed, bath, living room, dining room, home décor and outdoor furniture.
In 2002, following her annual mammogram, doctors saw something suspicious. Results of the biopsy that followed showed that she had stage 1 breast cancer. Hearing the words breast cancer, she took
that long walk into fear. With the support of family and friends Jaclyn underwent a lumpectomy followed by six weeks of radiation. She thanks God every day she is cancer free. The most important thing in Jaclyn’s life is her family. Her husband Brad, children Gaston and Spencer Richmond, as well as her three grandchildren. Her family keeps her centered and serve as her inspiration. “That’s truly where my heart is.”
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