Actress Jaclyn Smith, known for her role in "Charlie's Angels," has revealed she has been managing an "unusual" form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) since she was 12 years old. The 80-year-old actress shared details of her experience in her new book, "I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie," released on September 8.
Smith explained in an interview with People magazine that her OCD developed after the death of her uncle. The disorder centered around loved ones, prayer, sacrifice, and manifesting, which she used to ease her anxiety and fear of losing those she cared about. The death of her uncle from alcoholism at age 54 prompted Smith to begin obsessively praying for the safety of her other relatives.
Health Concerns and Self-Discovery
In her memoir, Smith described how the stress manifested physically, including a missed period. A doctor at the time informed her that her hormonal imbalance might affect her ability to have children. This news, she wrote, doubled her anxiety as an adolescent.
Smith, who played Kelly Garrett in "Charlie's Angels," eventually realized the nature of her compulsions while studying psychology in college. She noted that receiving a diagnosis, even a self-diagnosis, brought a sense of relief, providing a name for her condition and making her feel less alone.
Despite the earlier medical concerns, Smith did become a mother. She has two children, Gaston and Spencer-Margaret, with her third husband, cinematographer Anthony B. Richmond. She considers motherhood the most rewarding part of her life, though she acknowledges the difficulty in not being able to control everything.
Revelations from Her Memoir
Beyond her personal health disclosures, Smith's memoir also touches upon her past relationships. She alleges in the book that her ex-husband Roger Davis had an affair with their real estate agent. Smith recounted meeting Davis in 1968 and initially believing they were a perfect match due to shared interests and backgrounds. However, she later learned of the infidelity.
Smith described an incident where she encountered Warren Beatty while on her way to view an apartment she and Davis were considering renting. According to Smith, Davis then appeared and told Beatty that she "only does commercials." The real estate agent, Laura, later confessed to Smith that she had been having an affair with Davis, a revelation that Smith found difficult to believe despite Laura's direct admission.
Smith wrote that Davis denied the affair, attributing Laura's claims to jealousy. This betrayal, Smith stated, marked the point when she knew the relationship was unsustainable. She described living in a state of denial in an attempt to salvage the marriage, but ultimately, the truth led to their divorce years later.
Smith has been married to her current husband, Brad Allen, for over 28 years.