Dame Joan Collins has been in the acting business for 75 years and has won numerous awards, but she still sees herself as a "jobbing actor" who would take any role to make sure her family was fed13:31, 03 Jul 2026Acting may seem to be a glamorous profession, but Dame Joan Collins warns that behind those fleeting moments in the limelight lie lengthy spells where very little happens at all.‌Over her remarkable 75-year career, Dame Joan has scooped countless accolades, including a Golden Globe, a People's Choice Award and two Soap Opera Digest Awards, yet she still considers herself a "jobbing actor" who would accept any role to put food on the table for her family.‌Now aged 93, Dame Joan is once again doing the rounds to promote her latest film, A Murder Between Friends. She tells The Times she has also seized the chance to support a relative who is attempting to follow in her footsteps.‌Dame Joan's great-niece India Thain also features in the new film: "They were looking to cast it and wanted an American woman, and I spoke to the director - a friend of mine - and said that India was an actress," she explains.Although India is not actually American, Dame Joan insisted she can "play American", though she had to double-check with India first, who confirmed she was more than capable.‌India is the sole member of Dame Joan's family to have pursued a career in acting, though upon doing so, she received a sobering warning from her great-aunt: "I warned India that most actors are out of work most of the time. I myself hadn't worked for ten months before our film," she said.Dame Joan explained that the reason none of her other family members have chosen to pursue acting is because they're all "smart" enough to understand what a difficult career it can be: "They realise how tough the profession is. It's not just getting dressed and going on red carpets, you know. It's a tough business."You have to have a carapace the size of a whale to survive rejection, people saying horrible things about you, the lack of care."‌There's also the matter of predatory men who view sex with young actresses as "their divine right." Before the #MeToo movement emerged, Dame Joan says she discovered early on that the most effective response to any inappropriate behaviour was "a knee to the nether regions."She emphasises, however, that acting can be a challenging profession: "I left England at the age of 20 for Hollywood and did whatever I could - film, theatre, TV. It was a living. People say I've not been in very good films. Well, I was supporting three children, the breadwinner. I've always thought of myself as a jobbing actor and took what I could to keep my children fed and watered."Article continues belowWith only a small number of credits to her name, including Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, India, 32, has considerable ground to cover if she's to match the impressive career of her celebrated relative.Yet she credits Dame Joan's mentorship as having been invaluable: "She has always been very good with advice, always warning me of the dangers of the industry."She knows how hard it can be. I've seen her in periods of struggling, of not working, but she always handles things so well. She has this inner strength."