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ALT: a group of people walking in front of a building that says unite on it

Jaclyn Smith, the only original cast member to remain throughout the entire run of Charlie's Angels, has written a memoir titled 'I Once Knew a Guy Called Charlie' which she discusses in a recent interview with The Guardian. Smith, now 80, reflects on her five-year experience with the iconic 1970s television series that featured her alongside Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson. The show, which premiered in 1976, followed three female private investigators working for a mysterious figure known only as 'Charlie' who communicated via speakerphone. Smith recounts the show's success, its cultural impact, and the challenges she faced both on and off set. She emphasizes the strong sisterhood among the cast, noting they 'loved one another' and became lifelong friends, with Jackson serving as godmother to Smith's daughter. Smith also discusses the show's portrayal of women in action roles, stating it was 'different' to have 'three women instead of three men, chasing danger instead of being rescued from danger.' She addresses criticism about the show's focus on appearance, responding that 'we were not controlled by Charlie. We were working hard, courageous, we went about our job.' Smith reveals she initially accepted a lower salary than her co-stars ($3,000 per episode compared to Fawcett's $5,000 and Jackson's $10,000) but negotiated to be paid equally, stating 'it wasn't about money. It was the fact that we'd done the same thing, and I thought that was only fair.' She also discusses the challenges of being typecast after the show, including difficulty securing roles like the biopic of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, where producers 'didn't want a Charlie's Angel playing Jackie Kennedy.' Smith reflects on the show's legacy, stating she 'likes to think' it gave women 'a chance to break out of their mould, to be brave, to be independent.' She also touches on her personal life, including her three marriages, her battle with breast cancer, and her current happy marriage to heart surgeon Brad Allen. The interview provides insight into Smith's perspective on the show's cultural significance, the dynamics of the cast, and her career trajectory following the series' conclusion in 1981.