View Full Version : WHATEVER HAPPENED TO: Jan Smithers


catlover79
04-02-2011, 06:48 PM
http://talkingmoviezzz.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-ever-happened-to-jan-smithers.html

Thursday, September 17, 2009
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: JAN SMITHERS

Like Gary Sandy (What Ever Happened To story here), Jan Smithers is an actress known for essentially one role, that of Bailey Quarters on WKRP IN CINCINNATI.

She was first discovered almost by accident. In 1966, a Newsweek reporter was doing a story about the “typical American teenager”. Jan was interviewed. They took photographs of her for the story.

One of those turned up on the cover of the March 21, 1966 issue of the magazine.

Casting directors then began hiring her for commercials and in TV series (LOVE STORY, STARSKY AND HUTCH) as well as films. She played the lead in the acclaimed Appalachian drama WHERE THE LILIES BLOOM.

In 1978, WKRP went on the air. As Bailey, she was the shy member of the station’s team. The show had a sort of Betty or Veronica feel, with Jan playing the Betty to Loni Anderson’s Veronica. I always liked Jan more than Loni.

After the show went off the air in 1982, she would pop up on plenty of other TV shows in guest spots. She appeared in episodes of THE FALL GUY, LEGMEN, FINDER OF LOST LOVES, a few LOVE BOATS, MIKE HAMMER, COVER UP, MURDER SHE WROTE and HOTEL.

There was a little seen independent film in 1987 called MR. NICE GUY that doesn’t seemed to have much, or any release. But, that was it.

SO, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO HER?

In the late 80’s, Jan Smithers married the star of HOTEL, James Brolin. The two had a daughter.

So, she left her acting career for a family life.

They were divorced in 1995, and Brolin would later marry Barbra Streisand. Jan has gone on the record to claim that Barbara had NOTHING to do with their breaking up as they married five years after the two broke up.

After living in Canada for a while, Jan has returned to Southern California. In 2007, she was involved in a car accident there. While tabloids have claimed all sorts of wild rumors about this accident, according to Jan herself, they are all untrue. Her car broke down and she was hit by a pickup while trying to get help.

There is talk of her returning to acting.

Marvo301
04-04-2011, 02:08 PM
I would love to see Jan back on TV! Or in the movies! or in my living room!! ;)

catlover79
04-05-2011, 12:44 AM
I had a feeling you'd enjoy this article, Marv!! :lol:

Marvo301
04-05-2011, 02:36 PM
I had a feeling you'd enjoy this article, Marv!! :lol:
:thumbsup: :eyes:

catlover79
04-05-2011, 04:44 PM
I wonder what she looks like today - I haven't been able to find a recent photo.

Marvo301
04-05-2011, 06:43 PM
I wonder what she looks like today - I haven't been able to find a recent photo.
I'd love to see a recent photo of her too!

Retro4Life
04-05-2011, 07:00 PM
I think there was always an air of mystery about Jan that really added to her appeal. She was obviously beautiful, and her intelligence radiated off of her, as well. But the lack of information about her life, and the scant amount of time she was seen in other roles, kind of made her a "Greta Garbo" of sorts.

Sure hope to see her again. :)

Mr. Television
04-05-2011, 07:09 PM
James Brolin had Jan Smithers and now he has Barbra Streisand . Poor guy. :lol:

catlover79
04-05-2011, 08:19 PM
But I'm sure a lot of single guys who love Jan were excited to hear that she was a free woman again!!

Marvo301
04-05-2011, 09:59 PM
But I'm sure a lot of single guys who love Jan were excited to hear that she was a free woman again!!
You got that right!!!!!! ;) :D

Heidi Dawn
04-06-2011, 03:04 PM
I have a picture of her from a magazine from 2005 and she still looked the same as she did back then (when she appeared on ET:Whatever Happened To WKRP in Cincinnati, she looked young even at 50).

If I can scan it, I'll post it here.

catlover79
04-06-2011, 03:35 PM
Cool - thanks!! :cool: :D

dlemond
04-13-2011, 02:27 PM
I found this:


edit: this is Marcia Strassman

catlover79
04-13-2011, 04:55 PM
Thanks!! She still looks very pretty - and she still looks a lot like Marcia Strassman!! :cool: :D

Marvo301
04-13-2011, 06:21 PM
Thanks!! She still looks very pretty - and she still looks a lot like Marcia Strassman!! :cool: :D
She still has those stunning blue eyes! And a beautiful smile! :D :eyes:

Retro4Life
04-13-2011, 07:38 PM
Thanks!! She still looks very pretty - and she still looks a lot like Marcia Strassman!! :cool: :D

Yeah, I looked at that photo and instantly thought "that's Marcia Strassman!" :eek:

catlover79
04-13-2011, 08:23 PM
It kind of makes me wonder how things would've turned out had Marcia played Bailey Quarters and Jan played Julie Kotter!!!

Retro4Life
04-13-2011, 08:23 PM
^ You think anyone would have noticed? :lol:

catlover79
04-13-2011, 08:28 PM
:lol: If the TV were muted, probably. Jan's voice was softer and higher-pitched than Marcia's.

Retro4Life
04-13-2011, 08:55 PM
^ Yeah, that's right. They would have easily played the other's sister (or even evil twin!). :)

Heidi Dawn
04-14-2011, 02:26 PM
Thanks for posting that picture, the one I had wasn't a very good one anyway because it wasn't a close up.

At least Jan is letting herself age gracefully instead of using plastic surgery to make herself look younger (I know she had plastic surgery done on her scar on the chin from her car accident). She still looks great!

Vahan
08-15-2011, 08:59 PM
Sorry but that's not Jan Smithers. That's Marcia Strassman. Even her TMZ page says that she is often mistaken for Jan Smithers.

Sorry guys.

dlemond
08-15-2011, 10:01 PM
Sorry but that's not Jan Smithers. That's Marcia Strassman. Even her TMZ page says that she is often mistaken for Jan Smithers.

Sorry guys.

You're right.

Sorry, I posted that pic and at the time I was sure the source said it was Jan.

My bad.