Jaclyn Smith, best known for her role in “Charlie’s Angels,” was married three times before ultimately finding her soulmate in Dr. Brad Allen. Together, they navigated life’s highs and lows, including Jaclyn’s courageous battle with cancer that caused her significant anxiety.
In 1976, ABC debuted one of television’s most legendary series, “Charlie’s Angels,” introducing audiences to Jaclyn Smith. The actress swiftly rose to prominence, earning numerous accolades for her performance, including a Golden Globe nomination.
Following her success on the show, Jaclyn starred in a variety of films and television projects. Despite her flourishing career, she aspired to start a family, wanting to be married and deeply in love before having children. However, her search for Prince Charming proved to be a challenging journey.
Jaclyn Smith was married three times before finding her true love, with each relationship guiding her toward her perfect match. Before achieving fame on the ABC hit series, she married actor Roger Davis, and their marriage lasted from 1968 to 1975.
In the same year that “Charlie’s Angels” premiered, Smith met her second husband, Dennis Cole, who made a guest appearance on the show. They tied the knot in 1978 but separated in 1981. Despite these challenges, the actress remained determined to find lasting love.
In 1981, Jaclyn Smith married Tony Richmond, a distinguished filmmaker, signaling that she had finally found the perfect partner to start a family. Together, they welcomed two children: Gaston in 1982 and Spencer Margaret in 1985.
Jaclyn Smith made motherhood her top priority, valuing it far more than her acting career. In a 2017 interview with *People*, she shared:
“The love that you have for your children, it’s like, ‘Oh my God.’ But this is even bigger — there are no words.”
Tragically, her relationship with their father was short-lived, and they chose to separate in 1989. However, perseverance paid off when she met the wonderful Dr. Brad Allen. Their story truly embodies the saying “the fourth time’s the charm,” as they married in 1997 following a meeting that seemed straight out of a movie.
I married Brad on Oct. 11, 1997 at the Westwood United Methodist Church and 20 years later I’m still a lucky girl! pic.twitter.com/BWIK6XfOT2
— Jaclyn Smith (@realjaclynsmith) October 11, 2017
Dr. Brad Allen, a cardiothoracic surgeon, had performed a life-saving operation on Jaclyn Smith’s father. After the surgery, Smith’s mother encouraged him to reach out to Jaclyn. Following the successful procedure, Dr. Allen kindly escorted her to the hospital parking garage to ensure she wasn’t alone.
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They fell in love when Jaclyn recognized “a purity of heart” in Dr. Allen, as she shared with *Closer Weekly* in 2014. Now, the couple is celebrating their 27th anniversary on October 11, and their love remains as strong as ever. Their enduring relationship is a testament that everyone can find the right person with persistence and hope.
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Brad Allen: An Exceptional Stepfather and Pillar of Support During Jaclyn’s Battle with Cancer
Jaclyn Smith considers motherhood her most cherished role and now embraces life as a grandmother. In her search for the right partner, she chose to marry someone who could be a supportive presence for her children, even though he wasn’t their biological father.
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Allen was the perfect partner, embracing the role of stepfather and loving Gaston and Spencer as his own children. However, in 2002, a frightening event put their love to the test and nearly ended their relationship.
Jaclyn Smith prioritizes her health and attends annual medical checkups. In 2002, during one of these routine examinations, a doctor recommended performing a biopsy on some of her breast tissue.
Biopsies are common and don’t always indicate a serious problem, and Smith was confident that everything would be fine. A few days later, she had numerous errands to handle before a major trip to New York with Spencer, so she didn’t anticipate the biopsy results.
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When Jaclyn entered the doctor’s office, she recalls being asked if she “was alone.” In hindsight, Smith realizes that this question should have been the first warning sign that something was wrong. Shortly after, the physician disclosed her diagnosis.
Jaclyn was diagnosed with cancer in her left breast. Fortunately, it was small and detected early thanks to her commitment to annual mammograms. Despite the early detection, a cancer diagnosis is still terrifying, and Smith admitted she “panicked.”
She was left in a daze, unable to listen to or comprehend what the doctor was telling her. The news was overwhelmingly shocking. Smith recalled:
“The word ‘cancer’ is what stood out. That’s a word I didn’t even like to say. It was very surreal. I couldn’t get a grip on it. I think my first words were, ‘Will I be here for my children?’”
All Jaclyn could focus on was her impending trip to New York with her daughter, who was preparing to study dance at the Alvin Ailey Institute. Her daughter was still in high school at the time, and with her brother being four years older, Smith found herself deeply worried about both of them.
Fortunately, her doctor shared that her prognosis was very positive, allowing them to adopt a conservative treatment plan. However, Smith had other intentions. She promptly requested a mastectomy:
“I said right then, ‘Just take my breast off. I don’t want to deal with it.’ I just wanted to get it over with.”
Later, the actress acknowledged that she was in her “right mind” at the time, driven purely by fear that was overwhelming. On the same day, Smith consulted with a surgeon. After calming herself, she went to her car and reached out to her loved ones.
Both Dr. Brad Allen and Jaclyn Smith’s mother initially struggled to accept her cancer diagnosis. However, once they understood the seriousness of her condition, they quickly traveled to Los Angeles to support her. The most difficult aspect for Smith was her limited knowledge about breast cancer.
She became terrified of the dark and was so overwhelmed with panic that she couldn’t sleep that night. During the first few days after receiving the news, she was alone and cried every morning at breakfast. “I went to a dark place. But then I read and educated myself,” Smith explained.
Thankfully, Smith was not alone in her journey. In addition to the unwavering support from her loved ones, she found guidance and encouragement from friends, including her “Charlie’s Angels” co-star Kate Jackson, who had also battled breast cancer.
Smith described the transition from overwhelming fear to actively researching and comprehending her condition as “amazing.” This journey empowered her to summon the courage needed to fight for her health. She champions the idea of facing fears head-on, a belief she consistently shares with her children.
Her husband, children, friends, and extended family provided unwavering support throughout her journey, making everything more manageable. Dr. Allen, as both her partner and physician, stood as her steadfast pillar, never leaving her side during radiation treatments. Rather than weakening their relationship, their love for each other only grew stronger.
Twenty-Seven Years of Marriage and a Thriving Family
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After overcoming cancer, Jaclyn Smith and Dr. Brad Allen built a life filled with love and support. Celebrating 27 years of marriage and still going strong, their relationship thrives without a single secret formula. In an interview with *Closer Weekly*, Smith shared:
“We have similar values and upbringing. Spiritually, we think the same, and he has been an incredible stepfather and loves my kids like his own.”
In addition to staying fit by working out with her husband, Jaclyn Smith oversees several businesses in skincare, clothing, and more. She even launched a wig line, keeping her constantly busy with traveling and promoting her products.
However, family always takes precedence for Smith, especially now that she is a grandmother. Both Gaston and Spencer have become parents, and Jaclyn loves spending time with her grandchildren. Dr. Allen has wholeheartedly embraced his role as a granddad to Bea Kranz and Olivia Rose Richmond, whom the children affectionately call “Pop-Pop.”
Having always prioritized her role as a mother above all else, Jaclyn Smith has found that becoming a grandmother has introduced a new depth of love into her life. However, the actress admits that it’s difficult to fully articulate this experience.
“It’s the best thing in my life. I would steal them if I could. It’s hard to explain with grandchildren. It’s like you need an extra chamber in your heart.”
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