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I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie: A Memoir
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From Charlie’s Angels star, miniseries queen, and businesswoman Jaclyn Smith comes a heartfelt memoir chronicling the making of a global phenomenon and her story beyond the screen.
When the pilot aired to instant success in 1976, Charlie’s Angels ushered in a TV revolution—for the first time, a network show featured three single female detectives whose stories revolved around fighting crime, not around supporting men. Jaclyn Smith, as Kelly Garrett (the only Angel to lead all five seasons of the show), was propelled into international fame and became an icon to girls and women everywhere. Now, for the first time, she shares the behind-the-scenes story of the origin and making of the iconic show, along with her longtime friendships with her co-stars including Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Cheryl Ladd.
But, as Smith writes, she wasn’t born the first day she put on Kelly Garrett’s tiny white bikini. Before Charlie’s, she was a dancer on Broadway from Texas and a prolific commercial actress. After Charlie’s, she channeled her childhood love of design when she pioneered the concept of celebrity-branded clothing lines with a mega-successful K-Mart partnership. She now sells her clothing lines as a commercial branding partner on HSN. While balancing acting and entrepreneurship, and bravely facing breast cancer, she also found love and raised two beloved children.
Intimate, honest, and down-to-earth, I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie tells the life story of an accomplished woman who has inspired generations of Angels who have come after her.
From Charlie’s Angels star, miniseries queen, and businesswoman Jaclyn Smith comes a heartfelt memoir chronicling the making of a global phenomenon and her story beyond the screen.
When the pilot aired to instant success in 1976, Charlie’s Angels ushered in a TV revolution—for the first time, a network show featured three single female detectives whose stories revolved around fighting crime, not around supporting men. Jaclyn Smith, as Kelly Garrett (the only Angel to lead all five seasons of the show), was propelled into international fame and became an icon to girls and women everywhere. Now, for the first time, she shares the behind-the-scenes story of the origin and making of the iconic show, along with her longtime friendships with her co-stars including Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Cheryl Ladd.
But, as Smith writes, she wasn’t born the first day she put on Kelly Garrett’s tiny white bikini. Before Charlie’s, she was a dancer on Broadway from Texas and a prolific commercial actress. After Charlie’s, she channeled her childhood love of design when she pioneered the concept of celebrity-branded clothing lines with a mega-successful K-Mart partnership. She now sells her clothing lines as a commercial branding partner on HSN. While balancing acting and entrepreneurship, and bravely facing breast cancer, she also found love and raised two beloved children.
Intimate, honest, and down-to-earth, I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie tells the life story of an accomplished woman who has inspired generations of Angels who have come after her.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
September 23, 2026
What a lovely person Jaclyn Smith is! It was refreshing to read a memoir by a celebrity who comes from a loving family and is so ever humble. I remember watching, "Charlie's Angels" as a kid. I probably started at Season 3 as my favourite Angel was, Cheryl Ladd but Jaclyn was always a close second. I did however watch it all in syndication when it hit re-runs.
It was interesting to hear about all her extensive work in mini-series (who can forget her portrayal as Jackie Kennedy) and the start of her K-Mart brand (she really was a pioneer for that.) Jaclyn is candid about her OCD, divorces and her breast cancer. It's nice to know she's found her happily-ever-after with Brad. She's a genuine, warm and happy person who loves her family. I always enjoy when a celebrity narrates their memoir and this was no different. Jaclyn has a beautiful voice. She's certainly just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. The only thing I did miss with the audio was the accompanying pictures that were included with the printed book.
Thank-you to Libby and the Vancouver Public Library for my copy
It was interesting to hear about all her extensive work in mini-series (who can forget her portrayal as Jackie Kennedy) and the start of her K-Mart brand (she really was a pioneer for that.) Jaclyn is candid about her OCD, divorces and her breast cancer. It's nice to know she's found her happily-ever-after with Brad. She's a genuine, warm and happy person who loves her family. I always enjoy when a celebrity narrates their memoir and this was no different. Jaclyn has a beautiful voice. She's certainly just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. The only thing I did miss with the audio was the accompanying pictures that were included with the printed book.
Thank-you to Libby and the Vancouver Public Library for my copy
September 16, 2026
➡️ When I am 80-years-old,
I want to look like Jaclyn Smith.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
➡️ That said, Jaclyn Smith is not just another pretty face.
She is an accomplished actress, a savvy businesswoman, and a devoted mother and grandmother with strong ethics and solid family values. And she has an incredible, inspiring story to share.
➡️ And she shares it ALL.
Her early years, the Charlie’s Angels phenomenon, her four marriages, her celebrity friendships, her pioneering fashion line with Kmart, her other successful business ventures, and her brave battle with breast cancer.
I was particularly impressed by the depth of the research she performed for all of her acting roles.
➡️ Wow, Wow, Wow!
I listened to the 11-hour audiobook narrated by Jaclyn herself, and from start to finish, I was wowed.
It is no small feat for an octogenarian to narrate an 11-hour book, but Jaclyn delivered her story with flawless skill, elegance, and warmth. Her performance was 10-star.
➡️ Fabulous Memoir.
One of my besties of 2026. I was sad when it ended.
➡️ All the Stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 14, 2026
Growing up, Jaclyn Smith was my favorite "Angel" on "Charlie's Angels". Finding out she was a fellow Texan made me love her even more! She is still such a lovely lady at 80 years old, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her memoir.
September 11, 2026
Fans of Charlie's Angels will find much to enjoy in this book.
October 1, 2026
I feel it is always hard to put a star rating on someone's life, but this book deserves, IMHO, 5 stars for its honesty, thoroughness, and glimpse into one of the icons of the 70s.
From her beginnings in Texas to her modeling career, 3 failed marriages, and lifelong friendships with her Charlie's Angels co-stars, Jaclyn Smith tells her story with honesty and deep emotion, and doesn't shy away from the regrets that came with the highs of being in Hollywood.
As a girl who watched every episode of CA and loved all the fierce women portrayed in the show, Kelly Garret was my favorite. So this book was a no-brainer for me to read when it became available.
Smith is an icon. Full stop. Smith is a warrior. Full stop. Smith is a shining star. Full stop.
She is also an inspiration, a mother, a friend, daughter, businesswoman, entrepreneur, and one of the most beloved TV stars of the past 50 years.
Her beauty is so much more than skin deep, and this book exemplifies that.
5 stars.
From her beginnings in Texas to her modeling career, 3 failed marriages, and lifelong friendships with her Charlie's Angels co-stars, Jaclyn Smith tells her story with honesty and deep emotion, and doesn't shy away from the regrets that came with the highs of being in Hollywood.
As a girl who watched every episode of CA and loved all the fierce women portrayed in the show, Kelly Garret was my favorite. So this book was a no-brainer for me to read when it became available.
Smith is an icon. Full stop. Smith is a warrior. Full stop. Smith is a shining star. Full stop.
She is also an inspiration, a mother, a friend, daughter, businesswoman, entrepreneur, and one of the most beloved TV stars of the past 50 years.
Her beauty is so much more than skin deep, and this book exemplifies that.
5 stars.
October 12, 2026
Loved this memoir! I've been a Jacklyn Smith fan since I was a little kid (I think I was about 8 years old when the tv show Charlie's Angels first aired) but I really knew very little about her background, her personal life and many parts of her career. I found the first 50 pages or so about her childhood to read a little slow, even though it was interesting. After that, though, I had a hard time putting this one down! Her voice feels so genuine and honest here - I'm not sure if she had a a ghost writer who helped her, a fabulous editor, or if this is all just her talent as a writer. What I liked is that she tells the story of her life and includes all of the ups and downs - she is not bitter nor does she try to throw anybody under the bus - the memoir reads like you are just sitting with a good friend, talking honestly and openly about her life. You can tell she's reflected a lot on her many relationships and experiences. I also enjoyed reading about her love and commitment to friends and family. It seems she's someone who has learned to navigate fame and celebrity in a very smart way, while never losing sight of the values and ethics that were instilled in her through her close, loving relationships with family. Great read!
September 30, 2026
I Knew the Angel. I Wanted to Know the Woman. ✨📖
I picked up I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie because I was one of the young girls who loved Charlie’s Angels in the 1970s. While the boys I knew were in love with Farrah Fawcett and her famous poster, I looked up to the Angels. They were beautiful and fashionable, yes, but they were also taking charge, solving cases, and having adventures. To a young girl figuring out what women could be, that was exciting.
I loved the glamour—the Angels were almost like real-life Barbies out in the world doing amazing things. But the appeal went beyond their looks. Alongside Wonder Woman, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, That Girl, and even the decidedly less glamorous Laverne & Shirley, these shows helped me imagine a life beyond the roles girls were often expected to fill. Women could work, be independent, and be the center of their own stories. That meant something to me, and it’s why I wanted to read Smith’s memoir.
Unfortunately, I finished it feeling that I had learned more about the events of her life than about the person who lived them.
Her early years had so much potential for an engaging story: growing up in Texas, dreaming of becoming a ballerina, and moving to New York to pursue opportunities. I especially wanted to hear more about her time at the Barbizon. What did it feel like to arrive in New York as a young woman with those ambitions? What surprised her? Was she frightened, exhilarated, lonely? I wanted to spend time in that world with her.
Instead, the book often seemed to move from one audition, acquaintance, or career opportunity to the next. There were many names, but not always enough context to understand why those people mattered. Before I could become interested in one experience, we were already moving on to another. For me, that made the memoir feel more like a recap than an invitation into her life.
I had especially high hopes for the Charlie’s Angels years. I remember how enormous that show seemed when it arrived. It was everywhere. What was it like to suddenly become so recognizable? How did that affect her family, her everyday life, or her sense of herself? Did she enjoy the attention? Did the reality of success match what she had imagined?
There are discussions of episodes and cast changes, but I wanted more depth: a scene brought to life, a difficult day on set, or a fuller sense of the pressures and pleasures of making the show. Even more, I wanted to hear her reflect on what it meant to be part of something that stayed with viewers for decades. Does she meet women who tell her they looked up to the Angels as girls? What does she think they saw in those characters? How does she understand that legacy now?
When Smith discusses her conservative upbringing and values, I also wanted a clearer sense of how those beliefs shaped her choices, whether they were ever challenged, and how she changed over time. Too often, I felt that the book stopped just as the more interesting questions were beginning.
Perhaps my expectations were high because of my childhood affection for the show. The women we admire on television are, of course, people, and a memoir can only reveal what its author is willing to share. Still, I don’t think wanting more reflection is the same as expecting someone to be extraordinary on every page. It is often the uncertainty, contradictions, and ordinary human details that make a life story compelling.
There were memories here I enjoyed revisiting, and this book doesn’t diminish what Charlie’s Angels meant to me growing up. But I often wanted Smith to linger longer—to share what those experiences felt like, how they changed her, and what they mean to her now. For me, this was a three-star read: some welcome nostalgia, but less reflection than I had hoped for. As a girl, I wanted to be like the Angels. As a reader, I wanted to know what it felt like to be Jaclyn Smith. I closed the book still wondering.
I picked up I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie because I was one of the young girls who loved Charlie’s Angels in the 1970s. While the boys I knew were in love with Farrah Fawcett and her famous poster, I looked up to the Angels. They were beautiful and fashionable, yes, but they were also taking charge, solving cases, and having adventures. To a young girl figuring out what women could be, that was exciting.
I loved the glamour—the Angels were almost like real-life Barbies out in the world doing amazing things. But the appeal went beyond their looks. Alongside Wonder Woman, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, That Girl, and even the decidedly less glamorous Laverne & Shirley, these shows helped me imagine a life beyond the roles girls were often expected to fill. Women could work, be independent, and be the center of their own stories. That meant something to me, and it’s why I wanted to read Smith’s memoir.
Unfortunately, I finished it feeling that I had learned more about the events of her life than about the person who lived them.
Her early years had so much potential for an engaging story: growing up in Texas, dreaming of becoming a ballerina, and moving to New York to pursue opportunities. I especially wanted to hear more about her time at the Barbizon. What did it feel like to arrive in New York as a young woman with those ambitions? What surprised her? Was she frightened, exhilarated, lonely? I wanted to spend time in that world with her.
Instead, the book often seemed to move from one audition, acquaintance, or career opportunity to the next. There were many names, but not always enough context to understand why those people mattered. Before I could become interested in one experience, we were already moving on to another. For me, that made the memoir feel more like a recap than an invitation into her life.
I had especially high hopes for the Charlie’s Angels years. I remember how enormous that show seemed when it arrived. It was everywhere. What was it like to suddenly become so recognizable? How did that affect her family, her everyday life, or her sense of herself? Did she enjoy the attention? Did the reality of success match what she had imagined?
There are discussions of episodes and cast changes, but I wanted more depth: a scene brought to life, a difficult day on set, or a fuller sense of the pressures and pleasures of making the show. Even more, I wanted to hear her reflect on what it meant to be part of something that stayed with viewers for decades. Does she meet women who tell her they looked up to the Angels as girls? What does she think they saw in those characters? How does she understand that legacy now?
When Smith discusses her conservative upbringing and values, I also wanted a clearer sense of how those beliefs shaped her choices, whether they were ever challenged, and how she changed over time. Too often, I felt that the book stopped just as the more interesting questions were beginning.
Perhaps my expectations were high because of my childhood affection for the show. The women we admire on television are, of course, people, and a memoir can only reveal what its author is willing to share. Still, I don’t think wanting more reflection is the same as expecting someone to be extraordinary on every page. It is often the uncertainty, contradictions, and ordinary human details that make a life story compelling.
There were memories here I enjoyed revisiting, and this book doesn’t diminish what Charlie’s Angels meant to me growing up. But I often wanted Smith to linger longer—to share what those experiences felt like, how they changed her, and what they mean to her now. For me, this was a three-star read: some welcome nostalgia, but less reflection than I had hoped for. As a girl, I wanted to be like the Angels. As a reader, I wanted to know what it felt like to be Jaclyn Smith. I closed the book still wondering.
October 8, 2026
I was only 3 when the show Charlie's Angels came out, but there was something about this show that kept me in a choke hold in re-runs. I remember watching it as an early teen when I babysat in summers, would skip my 10am classes often in college to watch it. Kelly Garrett was my favorite, so when this book showed up on my library's website, it was a no brainer to request it.
It's been fun to listen to Jaclyn talk about her life, so much Hollywood memories, lots of Charlie's Angels and her business side. She's really been through a lot with grace, made choices that she stuck by and lived a good life, filled with lots of friends and family.
It's been fun to listen to Jaclyn talk about her life, so much Hollywood memories, lots of Charlie's Angels and her business side. She's really been through a lot with grace, made choices that she stuck by and lived a good life, filled with lots of friends and family.
September 26, 2026
I was 8 years old when Charlie's Angels came out. I was OBSESSED! I had all the posters, dolls, trading cards, puzzles, games, etc.. I wanted to be Kelly Garrett when I grew up! After Charlie's Angels, I watched everything Jaclyn Smith was on. I was so excited to read this book, and WOW! It did not disappoint! What an incredible woman, mother and grandmother! Now at 58, it turns out I actually wanted to be Jaclyn Smith when I grew up!
October 17, 2026
I have yet to watch the original Charlie's Angels, but Jaclyn Smith has always embodied class and elegance for me. I enjoyed hearing about childhood and early days in NY as a dancer and student at the Barbizon; it's obvious how much Charlie's means to Jaclyn as well as her costars - especially Farrah and Kate. I'm glad that she has has such a remarkable life - Jaclyn deserves it.
September 27, 2026
What amazing woman. She's
led a really incredible life
led a really incredible life
November 4, 2026
Jaclyn seems like a down to earth Hollywood star, very genuine. Really enjoyed this book.
October 9, 2026
A nice, easy-breezy read! Nothing salacious to read here but a life well-lived with grace and kindness. I thought the wee irony was lovely too.
October 23, 2026
The book gave me what I expected. Fans of Charlie’s Angels and Jaclyn Smith will enjoy this.
October 25, 2026
Bland, simplistic memoir that has a couple major mistakes in it and is not worth reading. The first eighty pages are so boring and could be summarized in a few paragraphs--pretty little upper class Houston girl runs off to New York City, dodges advances of high-powered men, doesn't have common sense to accept normal job offers, and ends up marrying a cheating actor.
There--that took care of her younger years. After moving to Los Angeles she got a few minor guest star roles, which led to Aaron Spelling casting her in Charlie's Angels. Smith makes the ridiculous unsupported statement that the show led the feminist revolution on the tube and can take credit for helping women feel comfortable enough to have jobs. She writes, "The first season of the original Charlie's began airing in 1976, only four years after the Roe v. Wade decision, when less than 8 percent of adult women were in the workforce...Charlie's changed all that." WHAT? 8%? Is she crazy? In 1972, based on census data, 41% of all women were in the workforce, and by 1976 when the show first aired it was 47%.
For her to make such an absurd claim gives the show much more credit and influence than it deserves. Three jiggly women running after perps did not suddenly propel females in the U.S.A. to want to take jobs!
She even wrongly says they were doing groundbreaking roles for women on television. How is that possible when her series was years after Honey West, Peggy Lipton in The Mod Squad, Teresa Graves in Get Christie Love, and Angie Dickinson's Police Woman?!
It's revisionist history by someone who is too taken by her fame. She and her co-writers (it obviously took a team to make this so bland) also make the inaccurate claim, "Nowadays a typical network TV season is about thirteen episodes...we were filming twenty-plus."
Um, Jacklyn, let me give you the exact numbers: you did 116 episodes in five seasons, averaging 23 per year. The top drama series on network TV in 2025-2026 was Marshals, which only had 13 episodes because it premiered in March and ran for only three months! For full-season shows that start in the fall, they typically have twenty or more episodes per season. That same year Law & Order: SVU had 21 episodes; NCIS had 20; Tracker had 22. So today normal cop dramas on network TV shoot only slightly less than Charlie's Angels was doing!
Then there are long dull sections about her pregnancies and everyone's health issues. Meanwhile, she spins life with her four husbands as positive as possible, though she oddly writes about her final spouse, "Brad and I have now been together for nearly three decades. I guess the fourth time's the charm. Honestly, in my mind he's really only my second husband. Those earlier relationships were so short and belong to a past so distant, I don't count them the same."
Seriously? Her first marriage lasted seven years, her second one had them dating 19 months before being married for three years. So Jaclyn Smith is not being honest with herself or readers by including so much spin to her life story. Maybe she chooses to pretend she was only married twice because that's when the children were involved and this seems to be a memoir left as a legacy to her kids and grandkids.
Smith throws a little bit of shade at some of her co-stars, with Kate Jackson getting both credit for some of the show's pilot plot and criticism for on-set behavior. The men in Smith's life come and go, with few details about her private life. She seems to be using her pages to give shout outs to longtime pals but there are few interesting stories that accompany the names. All you'll really learn from this is that Jacklyn Smith was enthralled by fashion and set pieces.
"I know I sound like a goody two-shoes" she writes, yet to the end she tries to convince us that she's just a sweet innocent Texas gal who put her kids above some guy named Charlie. But she's not successful at making us believe it.
There--that took care of her younger years. After moving to Los Angeles she got a few minor guest star roles, which led to Aaron Spelling casting her in Charlie's Angels. Smith makes the ridiculous unsupported statement that the show led the feminist revolution on the tube and can take credit for helping women feel comfortable enough to have jobs. She writes, "The first season of the original Charlie's began airing in 1976, only four years after the Roe v. Wade decision, when less than 8 percent of adult women were in the workforce...Charlie's changed all that." WHAT? 8%? Is she crazy? In 1972, based on census data, 41% of all women were in the workforce, and by 1976 when the show first aired it was 47%.
For her to make such an absurd claim gives the show much more credit and influence than it deserves. Three jiggly women running after perps did not suddenly propel females in the U.S.A. to want to take jobs!
She even wrongly says they were doing groundbreaking roles for women on television. How is that possible when her series was years after Honey West, Peggy Lipton in The Mod Squad, Teresa Graves in Get Christie Love, and Angie Dickinson's Police Woman?!
It's revisionist history by someone who is too taken by her fame. She and her co-writers (it obviously took a team to make this so bland) also make the inaccurate claim, "Nowadays a typical network TV season is about thirteen episodes...we were filming twenty-plus."
Um, Jacklyn, let me give you the exact numbers: you did 116 episodes in five seasons, averaging 23 per year. The top drama series on network TV in 2025-2026 was Marshals, which only had 13 episodes because it premiered in March and ran for only three months! For full-season shows that start in the fall, they typically have twenty or more episodes per season. That same year Law & Order: SVU had 21 episodes; NCIS had 20; Tracker had 22. So today normal cop dramas on network TV shoot only slightly less than Charlie's Angels was doing!
Then there are long dull sections about her pregnancies and everyone's health issues. Meanwhile, she spins life with her four husbands as positive as possible, though she oddly writes about her final spouse, "Brad and I have now been together for nearly three decades. I guess the fourth time's the charm. Honestly, in my mind he's really only my second husband. Those earlier relationships were so short and belong to a past so distant, I don't count them the same."
Seriously? Her first marriage lasted seven years, her second one had them dating 19 months before being married for three years. So Jaclyn Smith is not being honest with herself or readers by including so much spin to her life story. Maybe she chooses to pretend she was only married twice because that's when the children were involved and this seems to be a memoir left as a legacy to her kids and grandkids.
Smith throws a little bit of shade at some of her co-stars, with Kate Jackson getting both credit for some of the show's pilot plot and criticism for on-set behavior. The men in Smith's life come and go, with few details about her private life. She seems to be using her pages to give shout outs to longtime pals but there are few interesting stories that accompany the names. All you'll really learn from this is that Jacklyn Smith was enthralled by fashion and set pieces.
"I know I sound like a goody two-shoes" she writes, yet to the end she tries to convince us that she's just a sweet innocent Texas gal who put her kids above some guy named Charlie. But she's not successful at making us believe it.
September 25, 2026
I was excited to read this book, especially since last year I watched every episode of Charlie's Angels and on my blog page mentioned an episode for my Halloween suggestion and my takes from the whole series (www.lancewrites.wordpress.com) . Smith was my favorite of the bunch, with Ladd being a close second. Ladd's book was about golf, so this was a book I hoped to get some insight on the show and some of the actors. Smith basically mentions some of the co-stars on the show and how Kate Jackson butted heads with writers and sometimes dragged Smith , Fawcett, and Ladd into standing with her. No spoilers, but Jackson seemed to be the difficult one.
Smith discusses her childhood in Texas and then going to New York as a dancer (her one teacher's son was Patrick Swayze who was seen in her studio at age 7). Then talks about the Tv Show and her acting after. Some good parts was how she was asked to be in the bond film Moonraker only to have Aaron Spelling tell her no due to her contract stating she couldn't film during the tv shootings (something that comes up later with Jackson), and her friendship with Fawcett before her death.
The bad is she only briefly talks about Ladd, Shelly Hack (esp when they figured out she was not coming back due to a dinner party) and Tanya Roberts. She only mentions a few lines about her time on Becker. Most of the Angel's tales are about Jackson and Smith's tiring schedule. I wanted a little more about that time, but the text is still a good read about someone who has done many venues besides acting, and survived some major life experiences and struggles. Die hard fans of Smith will still love it, but the causal fan may be wanting a little more about Charlie's Angels if that's what they are looking for.
Smith discusses her childhood in Texas and then going to New York as a dancer (her one teacher's son was Patrick Swayze who was seen in her studio at age 7). Then talks about the Tv Show and her acting after. Some good parts was how she was asked to be in the bond film Moonraker only to have Aaron Spelling tell her no due to her contract stating she couldn't film during the tv shootings (something that comes up later with Jackson), and her friendship with Fawcett before her death.
The bad is she only briefly talks about Ladd, Shelly Hack (esp when they figured out she was not coming back due to a dinner party) and Tanya Roberts. She only mentions a few lines about her time on Becker. Most of the Angel's tales are about Jackson and Smith's tiring schedule. I wanted a little more about that time, but the text is still a good read about someone who has done many venues besides acting, and survived some major life experiences and struggles. Die hard fans of Smith will still love it, but the causal fan may be wanting a little more about Charlie's Angels if that's what they are looking for.
Read
October 24, 2026I love a celebrity memoir and this one was so refreshing. I liked Jaclyn Smith even more after reading her memoir and that is rare. She is accomplished, elegant, and iconic. I especially loved reading about her background and growing up in Houston, TX a former hometown of mine.
Kelly Garrett was my favorite Charlie's Angel and the one I would play when my 2nd grade friends and I played "Charlie's Angels." I loved reading all the behind-the-scenes information about Charlie's Angels and her very sweet friendships with her co-stars. I love that all of that is real. The warmth and the respect that they have/had for one another. I loved her friendship to the end with Farrah Fawcett.
Jaclyn shares very honestly about her life. How she got her big break, romantic relationships, friendships, acting jobs, Hollywood memories and experiences, and the ups and downs of her life and career. She is incredibly down-to-earth and offers an intimate look into her life.
I particularly loved her relationship with her mom and resonated with all of the wonderful things she said about her; and it reminded me of my own mother.
"We were a family who celebrated...On special days she really went crazy...Our Christmases were marvels to behold...Mom with her talent for happiness added sparkle and magic to our daily existence...Mom made commonplace happiness come alive. Even today her absence incorporates a presence. I sense her energy that never goes away."
"Parents do not ever leave us. They settle into us."
My Rating: Enjoyable.
Kelly Garrett was my favorite Charlie's Angel and the one I would play when my 2nd grade friends and I played "Charlie's Angels." I loved reading all the behind-the-scenes information about Charlie's Angels and her very sweet friendships with her co-stars. I love that all of that is real. The warmth and the respect that they have/had for one another. I loved her friendship to the end with Farrah Fawcett.
Jaclyn shares very honestly about her life. How she got her big break, romantic relationships, friendships, acting jobs, Hollywood memories and experiences, and the ups and downs of her life and career. She is incredibly down-to-earth and offers an intimate look into her life.
I particularly loved her relationship with her mom and resonated with all of the wonderful things she said about her; and it reminded me of my own mother.
"We were a family who celebrated...On special days she really went crazy...Our Christmases were marvels to behold...Mom with her talent for happiness added sparkle and magic to our daily existence...Mom made commonplace happiness come alive. Even today her absence incorporates a presence. I sense her energy that never goes away."
"Parents do not ever leave us. They settle into us."
My Rating: Enjoyable.
November 8, 2026
“I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie” by Jaclyn Smith offers no surprises, but if you are a fan of her iconic series “Charlie’s Angels,” (why are you reading this book if you aren’t?), you will find her memories about the 1970s detective series fun.
Smith was born in Houston, Texas, and she seemed to have lived a charmed life. She moved to NYC after her first year of college and moved into the Barbizon Hotel for Women. She quickly found work as a model and in commercials, and only a few years later, she moved to CA to begin a tv career.
Aaron Spelling, the main creative vision behind “Charlie’s Angels,” offered her the role after both her co-stars Kate Jackson and Farrah Fawcett were cast. She was the only angel who remained with the series for its entirety. She hints at some dissension among the cast over the years, but mostly, all the women who embodied these roles seemed to get along very well.
After her series ended, Smith became perhaps the most successful actress in tv movies and miniseries for the next two decades. You probably saw some of them, even if you have forgotten.
Smith states that her 4th husband and her children from her third marriage remain the lights of her life. Although she has had her share of sadness (several unsuccessful marriages, the deaths of her parents and her brother, a cancer diagnosis), Smith is the rare star who seems not neurotic. Her writing is never more than serviceable, but it carries you along without any major hiccups.
Smith was born in Houston, Texas, and she seemed to have lived a charmed life. She moved to NYC after her first year of college and moved into the Barbizon Hotel for Women. She quickly found work as a model and in commercials, and only a few years later, she moved to CA to begin a tv career.
Aaron Spelling, the main creative vision behind “Charlie’s Angels,” offered her the role after both her co-stars Kate Jackson and Farrah Fawcett were cast. She was the only angel who remained with the series for its entirety. She hints at some dissension among the cast over the years, but mostly, all the women who embodied these roles seemed to get along very well.
After her series ended, Smith became perhaps the most successful actress in tv movies and miniseries for the next two decades. You probably saw some of them, even if you have forgotten.
Smith states that her 4th husband and her children from her third marriage remain the lights of her life. Although she has had her share of sadness (several unsuccessful marriages, the deaths of her parents and her brother, a cancer diagnosis), Smith is the rare star who seems not neurotic. Her writing is never more than serviceable, but it carries you along without any major hiccups.
October 2, 2026
Charlie’s Angels? Say no more! Watching reruns of the show growing up, I was hooked. I was fascinated by the glamour of the ladies and, of course, how completely badass they were as they tackled a new scenario every episode.
So when I heard about Jaclyn Smith’s book, I ran to grab the audiobook. I’m always a little cautious going into a memoir because they can sometimes feel stiff or overly structured. But I should have known Jaclyn Smith would take great care with her story and give readers and fans something truly worth listening to.
I found myself completely wrapped up in her story and playing the audiobook whenever I had a free moment. Her story was compelling on its own, but hearing the behind-the-scenes moments from Charlie’s Angels made it even better. Getting a glimpse into the making of one of my favorite shows and hearing about her friendships with the other Angels was fascinating. I especially loved hearing how she navigated the many twists and turns life brought her.
And as for her narration…spot on! I truly couldn’t imagine anyone else narrating her story. Her voice was soothing and comforting, adding another layer of warmth and authenticity to the audiobook.
I’d definitely recommend if you grew up watching the Angels or any of her work!!
So when I heard about Jaclyn Smith’s book, I ran to grab the audiobook. I’m always a little cautious going into a memoir because they can sometimes feel stiff or overly structured. But I should have known Jaclyn Smith would take great care with her story and give readers and fans something truly worth listening to.
I found myself completely wrapped up in her story and playing the audiobook whenever I had a free moment. Her story was compelling on its own, but hearing the behind-the-scenes moments from Charlie’s Angels made it even better. Getting a glimpse into the making of one of my favorite shows and hearing about her friendships with the other Angels was fascinating. I especially loved hearing how she navigated the many twists and turns life brought her.
And as for her narration…spot on! I truly couldn’t imagine anyone else narrating her story. Her voice was soothing and comforting, adding another layer of warmth and authenticity to the audiobook.
I’d definitely recommend if you grew up watching the Angels or any of her work!!
September 21, 2026
Upon starting the book, I was a little dubious about the author's honesty because of the overuse of superlatives: her parents were "the most . . . the best . . . the perfect . . ." I almost quit listening, not wanting to spend time with a false narrative. Although soon, a few short chapters further, I was drawn in and began to trust the author when Smith introduced her lifelong battle with "magical thinking," anxiety, and OCD. As a teen, I did watch Charlie's Angels and styled my long hair as best I could to imitate Farrah's feathery do. I enjoyed Smith's story told in her own distinctive, textured voice. It was an interesting walk though the memory lane of the 70's and 80's, and reminded me that, oh yes, I did read and watch "Rage of Angels" by Sidney Sheldon, along with almost every other young woman I knew at the time! This was an enjoyable and interesting celebrity autobiography, especially for one who grew up watching the hit TV shows and movies-of-the-week of 40-50 years ago.
September 23, 2026
I was glad to see that Jaclyn Smith wrote a memoir. I have fond memories of Watching Charlie's Angels back in the day. It was nice to get to know more about her. She writes of her childhood in Houston Texas. Her love of ballet. Her close relationship with her family. She writes of her days in New York City and her eventual career in acting. and her business such as selling her line of fashion clothes and purses etc at K-mart [ I have purchased a few purses}
Of course she writes of her five years on Charlie's Angels. Her friendships with Kate, Farrah, and Cheryl. She was the only actress to be in all five seasons. Also her other roles in tv movies etc. She writes especially of her love of her two children, she always wanted kids. Also her marriages and other parts of her life. A nice read for those of you who like Jaclyn Smith a good memoir. I would give this a 4.5.
Of course she writes of her five years on Charlie's Angels. Her friendships with Kate, Farrah, and Cheryl. She was the only actress to be in all five seasons. Also her other roles in tv movies etc. She writes especially of her love of her two children, she always wanted kids. Also her marriages and other parts of her life. A nice read for those of you who like Jaclyn Smith a good memoir. I would give this a 4.5.
October 11, 2026
Jaclyn Smith was always my favorite Charlie’s Angel, so I really enjoyed this book. My favorite parts were her stories about her relationships with her family, especially her “PawPaw,” who was a Methodist minister and her parents and their support of her. She comes across as a down-to-earth person who knows what matters in life. I also appreciated her strong stance against alcoholism and drugs.
“Parents do not ever leave us. They settle into us. They become the architecture of our conscience, even now when I am tempted to compromise on what matters.”
“I still consider Houston home, yet it’s a home I can’t go back to. …in many ways it’s also a ghost town to me. Every street and corner whisper stories of what once was but can never be again. Every place I turn overflows with memories, but it’s devoid of the people who made them. Growing up I was loved so fully and so well by my family, that Houston simply withers in their absence.”
“My true wealth is my family.”
“Parents do not ever leave us. They settle into us. They become the architecture of our conscience, even now when I am tempted to compromise on what matters.”
“I still consider Houston home, yet it’s a home I can’t go back to. …in many ways it’s also a ghost town to me. Every street and corner whisper stories of what once was but can never be again. Every place I turn overflows with memories, but it’s devoid of the people who made them. Growing up I was loved so fully and so well by my family, that Houston simply withers in their absence.”
“My true wealth is my family.”
September 28, 2026
Giving this book 4 stars is generous. Very repetitive and wordy. I got tired of hearing how devoted she was/is to her kids. She lost me when she wrote that she didn’t even think of her relationships with her first two of four husbands “as real marriages” and if it had been up to her (it’s her memoir), she’d “have left them out of this book entirely. They were mistakes of my youth.” She was 33 at the time of her second marriage. And the first marriage lasted seven years, for crying out loud. Interesting bit of revisionist history that possibly makes her past more acceptable to her. I was kind of disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2026
She has had a very full life. I didn't know that her clothing line lives on at HSN! I think she has some conflicted feelings about Kate Jackson - sometimes it seems like they are really close (they are godmothers to each others kids), but other times she implies that Kate could be a real pain in the ass. I was expecting more "dirt" considering the early promotion content, but it was still an interesting story and one that all "Charlie's Angels" should read.
Side note: I was disappointed that when I met her at the book signing I didn't get to tell her about my and my friends escapades gathering "clues" off of room service trays at the Ramada Inn in Montvale, NJ. Maybe some other time...
Side note: I was disappointed that when I met her at the book signing I didn't get to tell her about my and my friends escapades gathering "clues" off of room service trays at the Ramada Inn in Montvale, NJ. Maybe some other time...
October 12, 2026
I'm so glad I ordered early enough to receive a signed copy! I absolutely loved reading your book. Growing up, I idolized you. My friends and I always pretended to be Charlie’s Angels, and I was always Kelly. At 54, I still own the dolls, lunchbox, and trading cards I collected as a child. I may not have been around for Jackie Kennedy, but old videos show her incredible grace, strength, and elegance. Throughout my life, you have been that exact same figure of inspiration to us fans. I'm so sorry for the loss of your papa, mother, father, and brother. The letter from your daughter made me cry. Thank you for sharing your story. You are beautiful inside and out!
October 23, 2026
Recommend
This is a good but not great memoir. It is more of a superficial retelling of her life. If Jaclyn fully explored more issues in her life, including her scrupulosity OCD and her third husband's drinking and drug abuse, it would have been a fantastic memoir. I wanted more. These were missed opportunities.
The writing and narration are very good, but the plotline and character development were below average.
If you liked Charlie's Angels, Jaclyn Smith, or want to know more about her life, this is the book for you!
For a more detailed review, check out my blog - booksbydorothea: https://tinyurl.com/ykpw8mjn
This is a good but not great memoir. It is more of a superficial retelling of her life. If Jaclyn fully explored more issues in her life, including her scrupulosity OCD and her third husband's drinking and drug abuse, it would have been a fantastic memoir. I wanted more. These were missed opportunities.
The writing and narration are very good, but the plotline and character development were below average.
If you liked Charlie's Angels, Jaclyn Smith, or want to know more about her life, this is the book for you!
For a more detailed review, check out my blog - booksbydorothea: https://tinyurl.com/ykpw8mjn
September 19, 2026
Huge fan of Charlie’s Angels and JS does a great job quantifying its role with feminism. Coming out right after Roe v Wade with less than 10% of women working- and as such as secretaries or nurses. As a 10 yr old I got to see independent women hold a fascinating job that didn’t revolve around a love interest. Always being second guessed in her career she really was the first “celebrity brand”. Glad she got her happy ending!
October 16, 2026
Charlie’s Angels was one of my favorite shows when I was young. My best friend and I used to pretend to be the angels with her younger brother as Bosley. At first, I was unsure if I’d like the book. It seemed a little dry at the start. I began to enjoy the book more as Jaclyn continued to tell her story. She included the right amount of “celebrity” detail with her personal story. This is a book I can safely recommend.
October 17, 2026
I enjoyed this book. It was very readable and I learned a lot I didn’t know about Jaclyn Smith. Like many, I knew her as Kelly Garrett (and her early Kmart days). This book talked about that but also provided insight into her upbringing and post Charlie’s work.
If you are a fan of the show or Jaclyn, you will likely enjoy this peek behind the curtain. I’m sure there was potential for this to have been much longer with even more stories but overall the length and content feels appropriate.
If you are a fan of the show or Jaclyn, you will likely enjoy this peek behind the curtain. I’m sure there was potential for this to have been much longer with even more stories but overall the length and content feels appropriate.
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