Joan Collins a Cougar? 'I Don't Know About That'

By Nicki Gostin Posted Nov 16th 2010 12:01PM

Joan Collins, the glamorous star of stage and screen best known for her bad girl role on 'Dynasty,' is bringing her one-woman show, 'One Night With Joan,' to Feinstein's at Loews Regency in New York, beginning today through Nov. 27. If you're lucky enough to get tickets, you'll watch as the incomparable actress looks back on her amazing career, tells "dirty" tales about Frank Sinatra and talks about snagging a lead role from "too old" Marilyn Monroe. The living legend chatted ever-so-briefly with PopEater about the show, turning down Sinatra, her secret to looking so good at 77 and why she doesn't like being called a cougar (marrying a guy 32 years your junior will do that).

Tell me about your show.
It's very exciting. It's a show I've done in England and it's all about my life, my experiences, the people that I've met. I talk about Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck, the cast of 'Dynasty.' The whole thing is illustrated with non-stop photographs and movie stills.

Give me a taste. What's your story on Marilyn?
I'm only going to give you one.

Hold on. Wait, what's a better story? Marilyn or Frank?
No, I'm not going to tell you Frank, it's a dirty one. I met Marilyn when I had just gotten the lead in 'The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing,' and she told me that they had wanted her for the role, but then they told her she was too old. And then the penny dropped, I realized it was Marilyn and we were talking and she said, "Watch out for the wolves in Hollywood, honey!" I'm not very good at telling the anecdotes out of order.

When you said the Frank Sinatra story is dirty, what did you mean?
I didn't say dirty. I said funny.

Oh. I saw online that you turned down Frank. Is that true?
Yes.

Was he upset?
You'll have to come and see the show! That's part of the story. I really believe one should have a certain amount of mystery in life. When people come to the show, I think they'll feel that they have found out quite a lot about me having lived a long life, but I think they'll also feel there are other things they haven't found out.

You look fabulous. What is your secret?
I'm very lucky to have wonderful, good-looking parents. Good genes. I take care of myself, inside and out. I believe in eating good food. I don't eat junk. If you eat junk, you look like junk. I try to keep my face out of the sun. I moisturize and I always wear makeup.

You're sort of the original cougar.
I don't know about that.

Your husband, Percy Gibson, is 32 years younger than you. That's quite a difference.
Well, you know age is really not a very important thing. I think people should be judged on how they look and feel more than their chronological age. I don't think people should be defined by the age they are or the age of the person they are married to.

You've also been described as a doting grandma.
I don't know about doting. I find that word kind of repellent.

Really, why?
I don't know why. It sounds like it's from the 19th century. Let's move on to the next question.

By the way, I've seen your son's paintings. He's very talented.
Yes he's wonderful, he's very talented. I dote on him. [Laughs]

Aaaaaaand, Scene!

Feinstein's at Loews Regency is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street in New York City. For reservations call (212) 339-4095 or visit feinsteinsatloewsregency.com.

Tags: Joan Collins, One Night With Joan

Comments

(9)

Tuesday 16 November

By Christine

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More like a dinosaur!

By kpamesa

So agree - and a rather opinionated one at that!

By Tex

Indeed! Trampasaurus Retch

By jeff

id bend her over a couch if she paid me,, alot

By Workergy

Joan may have been during the Dynasty era but now.....You have got to be kidding...SHe still is around and has a very sharp tongue, but a far cry forma cougar. The people she talks about very famous but have been dead for quite awhile. She wears out of date cloths and if she shows skin it is wrinkled...lol Any guy going after that would.....be going after the bank book only.......

By themeeker

She was a cougar 40 years ago.

By LaDiva

This tales from the crypt lady should focus more on herself than on Jennifer Aniston's looks...
Your career ended more than a half century ago...

Wednesday 17 November

By Fraser Penney

Marilyn said no to that role in "the girl in the red velvet swing" clearly Joan your memory deceives you, or is it you who deceives?

By stu

u still look fab Joan darrrrling! If only Linda Evans had the same plastic surgery done. :=

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