Jaclyn Smith revealed at a ‘Charlie’s Angels’ reunion that she declined a Bond girl role in ‘Moonraker’ due to her contract loyalty. She emphasized her Houston upbringing instilled values of honoring commitments, even for major film offers. Smith expressed no regrets, believing things happen for a reason and also passed on ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘9½ Weeks’ as they didn’t resonate.
Jaclyn Smith says she turned down the chance to play a Bond girl in ‘Moonraker’ because she chose to honor her ‘Charlie’s Angels’ contract. Speaking at PaleyFest during the show’s 50th anniversary reunion, Smith said her decision came down to loyalty, discipline, and the values she grew up with in Houston.
The role of Dr. Holly Goodhead later went to Lois Chiles in the 1979 James Bond film starring Roger Moore.According to remarks shared at PaleyFest’s ‘Charlie’s Angels’ reunion, Smith explained that she could not walk away from the hit TV series even for a major movie offer. She said, “I had a contract [for ‘Charlie’s Angels’] and, you know, Houston upbringing, you follow your contract.” She added, “And Aaron [Spelling] was the first to invite me to the party, so I was honoring my contract.”
Jaclyn Smith on turning down ‘Moonraker’
Smith made clear that she has no regrets about missing out on the Bond franchise. “And I think it wasn’t meant to be. I think things happen for a reason, I really do, so I have no complaints,” she said.She also revealed that she passed on other major films. Smith said she was considered for ‘Beetlejuice’, but the script did not connect with her at the time. “I know, sad. My husband regrets that,” she said, drawing a reaction from the crowd.
She added, “But you read a script, and it doesn’t always ring true to you, and it’s about what you can bring to it.”
Jaclyn Smith and ‘Charlie’s Angels’ reunion
Smith also said she was once set to star opposite John Travolta in ‘9½ Weeks’, but felt that project was not the right fit either. “But I wasn’t really right for that one either,” she said. “So, that was Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. You know, it happens.”The reunion also brought out more memories from the show’s early days. Smith said the network initially doubted ‘Charlie’s Angels’ despite huge ratings. “It went through the roof,” she said of the pilot. Even then, she said, executives thought the success was temporary. Kate Jackson also spoke candidly about losing the chance to star in ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’. She said repeated schedule changes and Aaron Spelling’s refusal to release her kept her from the film, a setback that helped shape her decision to leave the series after that season.
