She’s a soap star who made a big splash as a Bond girl in the 1971 classic Diamonds Are Forever, and her early Hollywood journey actually began way back when she was just nine years old—landing a role alongside John Wayne in The Searchers. That early start set the stage for what would become an impressive career, with standout performances in beloved films like Miracle on 34th Street and Rebel Without a Cause, both of which helped skyrocket her fame. Over the years, she became a familiar face on screen, earning admiration for her talent and charm.
Her personal life has been just as eventful. She’s been married six times, showing a pattern of seeking love and connection throughout the decades. Her fifth marriage ended in divorce in 1976 when she split from Richard Smedley—a union that brought her one son, Evan. As time went on, family remained important to her, and she eventually embraced grandmotherhood with joy, raising three grandchildren who added warmth and meaning to her later years.
Through ups and downs, both on-screen and off, she’s remained a resilient figure in entertainment, with a legacy shaped by iconic roles and a life lived fully. Her name still echoes in classic cinema circles, and fans continue to celebrate her contributions—because when you think of timeless Hollywood stars, hers is definitely one that comes to mind.
She first gained attention as a Playboy model, then made her mark as a Bond girl and carved out a name for herself on the soap scene. But beyond her own rising fame, she was often recognized as the younger sister of a well-known actress whose tragic and public passing left a lasting impact. While she worked hard to step into the spotlight in her own right, people couldn’t help but connect her story to that of her sibling. Still, over time, she proved that she wasn’t just living in someone else’s shadow—she was making her own path, one role at a time.