Dame Joan Collins has issued a stark warning to her great-niece India Thain about the harsh realities of an acting career, drawing on her own 75-year experience in the industry. The 93-year-old veteran actress, who has won a Golden Globe, a People's Choice Award, and two Soap Opera Digest Awards, describes herself as a 'jobbing actor' who took any role to support her family.
Supporting a Relative's Dream
Collins helped India secure a role in her new film 'A Murder Between Friends'. Despite India not being American, Collins insisted she could 'play American', after checking with her great-niece. India is the only family member to follow Collins into acting, receiving a blunt warning: 'I warned India that most actors are out of work most of the time. I myself hadn't worked for ten months before our film,' Collins told The Times.
The Tough Reality of Show Business
Collins emphasized that acting is far from glamorous, noting that none of her other relatives pursued it because they are 'smart' enough to recognize its difficulties. 'They realise how tough the profession is. It's not just getting dressed and going on red carpets, you know. It's a tough business. You have to have a carapace the size of a whale to survive rejection, people saying horrible things about you, the lack of care,' she said.
Dealing with Predatory Behavior
Collins also addressed the issue of predatory men in Hollywood, stating that before the #MeToo movement, her best defense against unwanted advances was 'a knee to the nether regions.' She stressed that acting can be a hard career, recalling her own move from England to Hollywood at age 20: 'I did whatever I could – film, theatre, TV. It was a living. People say I've not been in very good films. Well, I was supporting three children, the breadwinner. I've always thought of myself as a jobbing actor and took what I could to keep my children fed and watered.'
India's Perspective
India Thain, 32, who has credits including 'Sharknado 5: Global Swarming', acknowledged the guidance from her famous relative: 'She has always been very good with advice, always warning me of the dangers of the industry. She knows how hard it can be. I've seen her in periods of struggling, of not working, but she always handles things so well. She has this inner strength.'
