Joan Collins Then & Now: Photos Of The ‘Dynasty’ Star On Her 90th Birthday

By:

Elissa Anderson

1 of 21

Joan Collins In Her Young Years: Photos

Joan Collins In Her Young Years: Photos — Joan Collins, born May 23, 1933, is an award-winning actress and author. The London-born star, who had officially been dubbed a Dame, began her film career in the 50s after studying at the UK’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In the coming decades, she would star in classics like ‘Esther and the King’ (1960), ‘The Road to Hong Kong’ (1962), ‘Quest for Love’ (1971), ‘Tales from the Crypt’ (1972), ‘Empire of the Ants’ (1977), ‘Zero to Sixty’ (1978), and more.

Joan’s fame rose to another level when she took the role of Alexis Colby in the soap opera ‘Dynasty’ in 1981. She earned a Golden Globe for the iconic role, which lasted until 1988. Joan laid low in the 90s, making her 2010s comeback with the series ‘Happily Divorced’ (2011–2013), ‘The Royals’ (2014–2018) and ‘Horror Story: Apocalypse’ (2018). The British icon is also an author, with 6 novels, 7 memoirs, and 6 other non-fiction books under her belt.

Here, Joan is seen looking like quite the fashionista during her modeling days. She wore white shorts and a tie-up top with heels for a decidedly leggy display.

There are so many fabulous photos of Joan through the years. Click through our gallery to see her from her days as a young ingenue, to now.

2 of 21

Joan Collins In 1951

Joan Collins In 1951 — Joan Collins raises an eyebrow and dons a bathing suit for a 1951 portrait. She was 18.

3 of 21

‘Turn The Key Softly’

‘Turn The Key Softly’ — Joan Collins poses in a bikini and heels in a scene from 1953’s ‘Turn the Key Softly’. The film was about three women who are released from Holloway prison on the same morning into the bustle of post-war London with its trolleybuses and rationing. They meet for a meal in the West End in the evening after a day trying to pick up their lives, and with at least two of them trying to decide whether it is time to start afresh.

4 of 21

Joan Collins In 1958

Joan Collins In 1958 — Joan Collins shows off her legs in a sultry shot from 1958. She wore a red top, khaki shorts and a little scarlet scarf.

5 of 21

Joan Collins Young

Joan Collins Young — Joan Collins in 1964. She looked very groovy in a cream sweater with a teased hairdo.

6 of 21

Joan Collins In 1969

Joan Collins In 1969 — Joan Collins stuns in a 1969 show. Her doll-like eyes and pleated outfit were very 60s.

7 of 21

Joan Collins In 1974

Joan Collins In 1974 — Joan Collins is pure drama during the premiere of ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’ in London on Dec. 19,, 1974. She posed for the cameras while donning a feathered frock.

8 of 21

‘The Tales Of The Unexpected’

‘The Tales Of The Unexpected’ — Joan Collins dons a zip-heavy jumpsuit in 1980’s ‘Tales Of The Unexpected’. Her hair was big and she wore heels and hoop earrings too.

9 of 21

Joan Collins In 1986

Joan Collins In 1986 — Joan Collins oozes luxury as she poses for a photographer in the living room of her home in Beverly Hills in 1986. Her finely decorated abode was full of designer furniture and pricey art.

10 of 21

Joan Collins In 1991

Joan Collins In 1991 — Joan Collins dazzles in black lace in 1991. Her beaded necklace and silver clutch only added to her glamour.

11 of 21

Joan Collins In 1995

Joan Collins In 1995 — Joan Collins wows in white at the 1995 BAFTAs. Her cream look had oyster-hued beading and she carried a round gold clutch.

12 of 21

Joan Collins In 2000

Joan Collins In 2000 — Joan Collins is glowing during the UK premiere of ‘The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas’ on Jul. 25, 2000. She wore a white suit with a butterfly pin on her lapel.

13 of 21

Joan Collins In 2003

Joan Collins In 2003 — Fur real! Joan Collins looks so elegant with a black dress and plush, white fur stole during the Fashion Rocks benefit at Royal Albert Hall in London on Oct. 15, 2003. She was with husband Percy Gibson, who she wed in 2002.

14 of 21

Joan Collins In 2005

Joan Collins In 2005 — Joan Collins announces her ‘An Evening With Joan Collins’ tour in Dec. of 2005. She looked great in a red wrap dress.

15 of 21

Joan Collins At The 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Joan Collins At The 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Joan Collins looks great in a black dress with a beaded jacket during Vanity Fair’s celebration for the 81st Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2009. She accessorized with white bracelets and a silky clutch.

16 of 21

Joan Collins In 2011

Joan Collins In 2011 — Happy to be here! Joan Collins is chic in an off-the-shoulder design during an appearance on ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’ on May 27, 2011.

17 of 21

Joan Collins In 2014

Joan Collins In 2014 — Joan Collins attends the Shooting Star Chase Ball at the Dorchester Hotel in London on Oct. 4, 2014. She stuck her leg out with sassy while wearing elegant opera gloves for even more attitude.

18 of 21

Joan Collins In 2017

Joan Collins In 2017 — Dame Joan Collins dazzles in a pale, shimmering pink dress during the London premiere of ‘The Time of Their Lives’ on Mar. 8, 2017. She posed against a baby blue vintage car.

19 of 21

Joan Collins At The 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Joan Collins At The 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party — Joan Collins is the center of attention donning silver to the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Mar. 27, 2022. The look had bell sleeves and a long skirt.

20 of 21

Joan Collins In 2022

Joan Collins In 2022 — Dame Joan Collins looks chic in a blue and white dress during an appearance on ‘Good Morning Britain’ on May 16, 2022. She had full hair and glam makeup.

21 of 21

Joan Collins At The 2022 Chelsea Flower Show

Joan Collins At The 2022 Chelsea Flower Show — Flower power! Dame Joan Collins attends the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 23, 2022. She wore a white hat and gloves with a floral dress that was just perfect for the occasion.

Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news.

ad