Joan Collins was born in London, England on May 23, 1933. She studied for two years at the British Academy of Dramatic Art. She is the sister of novelist Jackie Collins. She began an acting career at the age of nine with an appearance in A Doll's House at the Arts Theater in London. She has appeared in more than 65 films. She received the most success playing Alexis Carrington in the primetime soap opera, Dynasty which ran from 1981 to1988. She received a Golden Globe Award in 1983 for this role. Her first book, Past Imperfect, was a kiss-and-tell autobiography published in 1978. Her first novel, Prime Time, was published in 1988. Her other fiction works include Love and Desire and Hate,… Too Damn Famous, Infamous, Star Quality, and Misfortune's Daughter. Her other nonfiction books include The Joan Collins Beauty Book, My Secrets, My Friends' Secrets, Joan's Way: The Art of Living Well and Second Act. In 1997, she was honored with an O.B.E. title in recognition of a lifetime of contributions to the arts, culture and charitable causes.