She captivated millions with her beauty and charm in “Dallas,” yet this Hollywood icon spent years doubting her looks, even as she became one of the most recognizable faces of her time.
Her journey to stardom began as a teenager and led to a career filled with iconic roles, some 500 magazine covers, and many unforgettable TV moments. At 66, she has managed to overcome several obstacles and finds the most joy in her family, who loves her just as fiercely. Her daughter even posted a photo honoring her birthday, and fans were quick with their praises.
This actress attends the 14th Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Marathon on September 3, 1979 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Magazine Cover Legend
On December 1, 1958, a future star was born in San Diego, California. By the late 1970s, she became a household name when she joined the cast of “Dallas.” This hit prime-time soap opera captivated more than 20 million American households every week. Set on the sprawling Southfork Ranch, the show followed the drama and scheming of the wealthy Ewing family.
At just 17, she took on the role of Lucy Ewing, J.R. Ewing’s clever and mischievous niece. Her character’s bold personality and dramatic storylines made her a fan favorite. One of the most memorable moments was Lucy’s wedding, which aired in 1981 to an incredible 65 million viewers.
However, this star’s skills and natural charm extended beyond the small screen. She became a fixture on magazine covers, reportedly appearing on more than 500 at the height of her fame. She also set her sights higher. “When I was on Dallas and doing bathing suit magazine covers, I couldn’t wait to get older,” the icon told People. “I always saw myself as a character actress. I really did.”
The actress poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California circa 1980 | Source: Getty Images
Despite her immense popularity, she credits her church and co-stars with keeping her grounded. “I also had great people around me,” she shared with Fox News Digital. This helped her avoid the downsides of fame. Unfortunately, while her career soared, her personal life told a very different story.
The actress attends the 38th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 31, 1981 at Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Troubled Childhood
The actress’s early years were filled with hardship. Raised by a single parent with schizophrenia, she experienced instability and trauma that shaped her upbringing. She witnessed moments no child should see, like her mom, Katherine, restrained in a straitjacket, their TV repossessed while she watched, and police leaving her alone in a strange city after taking her mother away.
The actress circa 1980 in New York | Source: Getty Images
Movies became her escape from the chaos. Classics like “Mary Poppins” and “The Sound of Music” gave her hope for a better life. She dreamed of having a maternal figure like Julie Andrews‘ characters.
At just five years old, her mother was institutionalized, leaving her to bounce between foster homes and relatives. In one painful memory, she overheard a foster family saying they wanted to “send her off.” That moment sparked a fierce need for independence in her.
The actress poses for a portrait in 1982 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
“I thought, ‘I’m never going to depend on anybody to take care of me,'” she recalled while speaking to People. Finally, at 15, she moved to Hollywood on her own, determined to make her dreams a reality. She landed roles in hit shows like “Happy Days” and “Eight Is Enough.” But her life changed forever when she joined “Dallas.”
The actress poses for a portrait in 1983 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Troubled in Love & Life
Just when things were looking up for this actress, at least professionally, her relationships remained difficult. At 23, she married country singer Johnny Lee, who was 12 years her senior.
The actress and singer Johnny Lee attending Nineth Annual American Music Awards on January 25, 1982 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Though their two-year marriage ended in divorce, it brought her one of her greatest joys: her daughter, Cherish Lee, who was born in 1982. Cherish became the focus of her life, and the actress embraced being a hands-on parent, calling herself a “helicopter mom.”
The actress and daughter Cherish Lee posing together on January 5, 1984, in Hollywood, Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images
She later married Domenick Allen in 1985, but the pair separated in the early 1990s, which would prove to be one of the most difficult decades of her life.
The actress, her husband, Domenick Allen, and her daughter, Cherish Lee, attend the Fifth Annual Steve Kanaly Invitational Celebrity Ski Classic to Benefit the March of Dimes on February 7, 1988 in California | Source: Getty Images
She left “Dallas” in 1990, and things became more than challenging. Financially strained, she cared for her daughter and her mother, who had been living in a care facility for a long time due to her mental health struggles.
The actress attends the NAACP – Los Angeles Chapter Ninth Annual Roy Wilkins Awards Dinner on July 19, 1991 | Source: Getty Images
