Dame Joan Collins has confessed that she got her inspiration for her role on Dynasty from Donald Trump.
The British actress, 90, is one of the few remaining actresses from Hollywood’s Golden Age, having appeared in films such as The Virgin Queen, Land of the Pharaohs, The Opposite Sex, and Sea Wife.
Then, from 1981 until 1989, she played Alexis Colby in the serial series Dynasty, which catapulted her to international fame.
Her character’s plotting was a significant story point throughout the series’ run, but the actress has now revealed how she utilised Trump as inspiration at the time.
Dame Joan explains everything in an interview with Louis Theroux for the current installment of his Interviews series, which airs tonight.
In an exclusive episode clip, Louis draws her to explain their relationship.
‘Amongst the millions of fans of Dynasty was a young man who later went on to success, well success that is debatable, as President,’ he said.
‘His name was Donald Trump,’ the broadcaster continued, as Joan let out a laugh and explained how Trump was such a fan, he was desperate to appear on the series.
‘I said when I was asked about my character Alexis, who did I think of when preparing, I said “well a mixture of Donald Trump, who was not President then, he was just a businessman, and a friend of mine who was a very glamorous woman about town who was very clever, so I wanted to have a mixture of them,’ she explained.
Joan didn’t mince words when asked what attributes Trump exhibited that piqued her attention.
‘Ruthlessness,’ she replied.
When questioned about Trump today, she refused to be drawn in the first place.
‘I am trying not to get involved politically. I am an actress so I don’t think we should spout our political opinions,’ she said.
When asked about his personality rather than his views, she hesitated to contemplate her response.
‘Well let’s say that if you played him in a movie people would say “no, that’s too over the top”.’
Dame Joan’s participation in Dynasty earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama in 1982, as well as a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1984.
Back in 2021, the actress stated that Trump had previously requested to be in the drama, but was denied down because he wanted to portray one of her boyfriends.
In her autobiography. In her book, My Unapologetic Diaries, she writes of how Trump ‘pretended to be taken’ with her.
‘I don’t think he was. I was a great friend of Ivana’s [his first wife],’ she wrote.
‘Then he called up one of the producers from Dynasty and said, ” want to be in Dynasty”. He said, “I’m sorry we’re all cast.” Trump said, “But, I am Dynasty!” And he said, “No you’re not. We have all these other people.”.
“Trump said, ‘Look, I’d be great to play one of Alexis’s (Joan’s) lovers.’ He said, ‘I think those parts – there was a few! – have been cast.’
“A few weeks later, [the producer] spread this story around Hollywood, he [Trump] denied it. Trump said, “I would not want to be Joan Collins’s lover on or off-screen”. Which I thought was rather rude!’
Dame Joan also discusses her five marriages and the sexual assault she endured at the hands of her first husband, her feelings on the #MeToo movement, how her late sister Jackie Collins ‘hated’ many of people in her circle, and her thoughts on the Royal family during her conversation with Louis.
Louis Theroux Interviews… airs on Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC Two and is streaming on iPlayer.
