Dame Joan Collins has warned her great-niece India Thain about the harsh realities of acting, revealing she herself was out of work for ten months before their latest film. The 93-year-old actress, who has enjoyed a 75-year career, described herself as a "jobbing actor" who would take any role to support her family.
Collins made her first film in 1951 and has since won numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe, a People's Choice Award, and two Soap Opera Digest Awards. Despite her success, she remains grounded about the profession's challenges.
Warning to Great-Niece
India Thain, 32, is the only family member to pursue acting, and Collins gave her a sobering warning: "I warned India that most actors are out of work most of the time. I myself hadn't worked for ten months before our film." Thain appears alongside Collins in the new film A Murder Between Friends.
Collins helped Thain land the role by speaking to the director, a friend of hers. Although Thain is not American, Collins insisted she could "play American," and Thain confirmed she was capable.
Why Other Family Members Avoided Acting
Collins explained that none of her other relatives pursued acting because they are "smart" enough to understand its difficulties. "They realise how tough the profession is. It's not just getting dressed and going on red carpets, you know. It's a tough business," she told The Times.
She added that actors need resilience: "You have to have a carapace the size of a whale to survive rejection, people saying horrible things about you, the lack of care."
Dealing with Predatory Behavior
Collins also addressed predatory men in the industry, noting that before the #MeToo movement, she found that the most effective response to inappropriate behavior was "a knee to the nether regions."
Collins' Own Career Struggles
Reflecting on her own career, Collins said: "I left England at the age of 20 for Hollywood and did whatever I could - film, theatre, TV. It was a living. People say I've not been in very good films. Well, I was supporting three children, the breadwinner. I've always thought of myself as a jobbing actor and took what I could to keep my children fed and watered."
Thain, who has a small number of credits including Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, credits Collins' mentorship as invaluable. "She has always been very good with advice, always warning me of the dangers of the industry. She knows how hard it can be. I've seen her in periods of struggling, of not working, but she always handles things so well. She has this inner strength," Thain said.
