I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie: A Memoir

by Jaclyn Smith

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.

Genres: Memoir, Biography, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Published September 8, 2026

Reviews

[Tina]

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

[Jayne]

➡️ When I am 80-years old,
I want to look like Jaclyn Smith.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

➡️ 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 anyone 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!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Karyn..bit behind, new puppy keepin' me busy!]

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.

[Kristen Amen]

Fans of Charlie's Angels will find much to enjoy in this book.

[AK]

<3

[Lance Lumley]

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.

[Lerrise]

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.

[Lori]

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.

[Amy Kindler]

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!

[Susanne]

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!

[Christian]

I actually gave this book 3.75 stars. Ms. Smith is truly a class act. It’s refreshing to read about a celebrity who was able to navigate fame without resorting to drugs and alcohol. An enjoyable read.

[Sara]

Beautiful and honest. I learned so much. Highly anticipated and did not disappoint. I’ve always loved Jaclyn!

[Tina]

Libby

[Petra Leest]

Honestly very good! What an inspiring woman.

[Missy]

Audio

[Deena Dietrich]

Probably more like a 3.5. Nothing exciting, but a good solid interesting memoir by a good solid interesting lady.

[Michelle Hicks]

4.5*

[Karen]

Good, solid memoir. It took me back to my childhood and Charlie’s Angels. Jaclyn Smith is a class act and a lovely person.

[Barbara Schlax]

4.5⭐️