Jan Smithers
Encyclopedia
Karin Jan Smithers is an American television and film actress, who is best known for playing Bailey Quarters
on the television series WKRP in Cincinnati
.
in Woodland Hills. She first reached the public eye as a teenager, when she was featured on the March 21, 1966, cover of Newsweek
, seated on a motorcycle.
As a teen, Smithers was the victim of a car accident that left a permanent scar on her chin. To avoid another car that had run a stop sign, Smithers swerved and hit a telephone pole. The impact smashed her face into the steering wheel, causing the injury. The scar cost her some roles and, according to her, made her feel insecure about her looks.
She was married to Kipp Whitman (1 December 1971 - 1972) (divorced)
From 1986-1995, she was married to actor James Brolin
. They had one daughter together.
Although she had been living in Halifax
, Nova Scotia
, Canada
, and had retired from show business, she now lives in Ojai, California.
In 2001, Smithers appeared on Entertainment Tonight
specifically to quash the rumor that Barbra Streisand
had stolen actor James Brolin away from her. She said she and Brolin had broken up years before Brolin met Streisand.
Bailey Quarters
Bailey Quarters is a character on the television sitcom, WKRP in Cincinnati. She was played by actress Jan Smithers, and was based on creator Hugh Wilson's wife.- WKRP roles :...
on the television series WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati
WKRP in Cincinnati is an American situation comedy that featured the misadventures of the staff of a struggling fictional radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show was created by Hugh Wilson and was based upon his experiences working in advertising sales at Top 40 radio station WQXI in Atlanta...
.
Life and career
Smithers grew up in Woodland Hills, California. She attended William Howard Taft High SchoolTaft High School (Los Angeles)
William Howard Taft High School is a public school located on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California, USA, within the Los Angeles Unified School District.-History:Taft opened in 1960....
in Woodland Hills. She first reached the public eye as a teenager, when she was featured on the March 21, 1966, cover of Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
, seated on a motorcycle.
As a teen, Smithers was the victim of a car accident that left a permanent scar on her chin. To avoid another car that had run a stop sign, Smithers swerved and hit a telephone pole. The impact smashed her face into the steering wheel, causing the injury. The scar cost her some roles and, according to her, made her feel insecure about her looks.
She was married to Kipp Whitman (1 December 1971 - 1972) (divorced)
From 1986-1995, she was married to actor James Brolin
James Brolin
James Brolin is an American actor, producer and director, best known for his roles in soap operas, movies, sitcoms, and television. He is the father of actor Josh Brolin and husband of singer/actress Barbra Streisand.-Early life:...
. They had one daughter together.
Although she had been living in Halifax
Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Municipality is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Regional Municipality had a 2006 census population of 372,679, while the metropolitan area had a 2010 estimated population of 403,188, and the urban area of Halifax had a population of 282,924...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and had retired from show business, she now lives in Ojai, California.
In 2001, Smithers appeared on Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight
Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
specifically to quash the rumor that Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
had stolen actor James Brolin away from her. She said she and Brolin had broken up years before Brolin met Streisand.
Filmography
- Mr. Nice GuyMr. Nice Guy (1987 film)Mr. Nice Guy was a 1987 movie starring Mike MacDonald and Jan Smithers.In this film, MacDonald plays a hitman who becomes engaged to the leading lady, played by Smithers.The main character is born in Chicago and is raised poor...
(1987) as Lise - Hotel (TV series)Hotel (TV series)Hotel is an American prime time drama series which aired on ABC from September 21, 1983 to May 5, 1988 in the timeslot following Dynasty....
as Janice Copeland (2 episodes, 1984–1986) - Comedy Factory as Barrie Shepherd (1 episode, 1985)
- Murder, She WroteMurder, She WroteMurder, She Wrote is an American television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher. The series aired for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996 on the CBS network, with 264 episodes transmitted. It was followed by four TV films and a spin-off series,...
as Kathy Farrell (1 episode, 1985) - Cover Up as Karen Morris (1 episode, 1985)
- Mike HammerMike HammerMichael "Mike" Hammer is a fictional detective created by the American author Mickey Spillane in the 1947 book I, the Jury .-Description:...
(1 episode, 1985) - The Love BoatThe Love BoatThe Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
(4 episodes, 1982–1984) - Finder of Lost LovesFinder of Lost LovesFinder of Lost Loves is an American drama series aired by the ABC network during the 1984-1985 season.-Synopsis:After Cary Maxwell's wife Kate dies, he decides to set up a private detective agency specializing in reuniting clients with a former loved one...
as Barbara Hensen (1 episode, 1984) - Legmen as Sarah Turner (1 episode, 1984)
- The Fall GuyThe Fall GuyThe Fall Guy is an American action/adventure television program produced for ABC and originally broadcast from November 4, 1981 to May 2, 1986. It starred Lee Majors, Douglas Barr, and Heather Thomas. Majors and Barr are the only two actors to appear in all 112 episodes of the series...
as Cynthia Caldwell (1 episode, 1983) - WKRP in CincinnatiWKRP in CincinnatiWKRP in Cincinnati is an American situation comedy that featured the misadventures of the staff of a struggling fictional radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show was created by Hugh Wilson and was based upon his experiences working in advertising sales at Top 40 radio station WQXI in Atlanta...
as Bailey Quarters (86 episodes, 1978–1982) - The Love Tapes (1980) (TV) as Carol Clark
- Our Winning SeasonOur Winning SeasonOur Winning Season is a 1978 film directed by Joseph Ruben from a screenplay by Nicholas Niciphor.-Plot:A high school senior aspires to become a track star.-Principal cast:...
(1978) as Cathy Wakefield - Starsky and HutchStarsky and HutchStarsky and Hutch is a 1970s American cop thriller television series that consisted of a 90-minute pilot movie and 92 episodes of 60 minutes each; created by William Blinn, produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions, and broadcast between April 30, 1975 and May 15, 1979 on the ABC...
as Sharman Crane (1 episode, 1976) - Where the Lilies BloomWhere the Lilies BloomWhere the Lilies Bloom is a film adaptation of the novel by the same name, written by Bill Cleaver. The film was made by director William A...
(1974) as Devola - When the North Wind BlowsWhen the North Wind BlowsWhen the North Wind Blows is a 1974 film directed by Stewart Raffill. It stars Henry Brandon and Fernando Celis.-Cast:*Henry Brandon as Avakum*Fernando Celis as Vladimir*Dan Haggerty as Tsezar*Rex Holman as Sergei*Dale Ishimoto as Yermak...
(1974) - Love Story as Barbara (1 episode, 1973)