When Jaclyn Smith rose to international fame as Kelly Garrett on Charlie's Angels, her personal life became a frequent subject of public fascination. Among her four marriages, her union with fellow actor Dennis Cole remains one of the most discussed chapters of her romantic history. Though their time together was relatively brief, it captured an era when television stars dominated tabloid headlines and high-profile romances played out under intense media scrutiny.
Their marriage lasted from 1978 to 1981, emerging from a shared workspace on the set of her hit detective series. While the relationship eventually ended in divorce, it offered a window into the unique pressures faced by working actors during the peak of 1970s television culture. Today, looking back at this period helps clarify how Smith navigated her early career milestones while balancing demanding personal commitments.
How Jaclyn Smith and Dennis Cole Met
Jaclyn Smith and Dennis Cole crossed paths in the late 1970s, during the height of Charlie's Angels mania. Cole, an established television actor known for roles in series like Felony Squad and Bearcats!, appeared as a guest star on the hit detective show. At the time, Smith was navigating a meteoric rise to stardom alongside co-stars Kate Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.
Sparks flew quickly between the two actors. Cole pursued Smith with classic romantic gestures, writing poetry and sending flowers that won her over during a demanding production schedule. Their courtship unfolded swiftly against the backdrop of soundstages and press junkets. By November 1978, the couple wed in an intimate ceremony with just a small group of close friends and family members present, attempting to carve out a pocket of privacy amid intense public interest.
The Reality of Marriage Under the Spotlight
Balancing two demanding acting careers in Hollywood proved challenging from the start. Both Smith and Cole maintained heavy shooting schedules, often traveling for various television projects, guest spots, and promotional tours.
Several pressures defined their three-year marriage:
- Constant Public Scrutiny: Tabloids followed the couple's every move, analyzing their public appearances and red-carpet moments for signs of friction.
- Competing Schedules: Coordinating time off between different television and film sets left little room for domestic stability.
- Career Imbalance: While Smith's career experienced an unprecedented surge following Charlie's Angels, Cole worked to maintain steady television roles, creating unique professional dynamics within the household.
Despite these hurdles, the couple attempted to maintain a normal domestic routine behind closed doors. They shared a home in Los Angeles and occasionally appeared together at industry events, such as the Golden Globe Awards, projecting a united front during the height of their public visibility.
The Reasons Behind Their Divorce
By 1980, cracks in the relationship began to show, and the couple separated before officially finalizing their divorce in 1981. Unlike messy modern celebrity splits involving prolonged legal battles, Smith and Cole handled the separation with relative discretion.
Industry insiders and retrospective interviews pointed to the classic pitfalls of two actors trying to sustain a marriage while operating at different velocities in the entertainment industry. The intense pressure of living in the public eye, combined with the logistical strain of separate filming commitments, made long-term compatibility difficult to maintain. For Smith, the experience served as a formative lesson in understanding what she truly needed from a life partner—stability, mutual respect, and a shared vision that extended far beyond the soundstage.
Life After the Split: Moving Forward
Following their divorce, both actors continued their respective paths in the entertainment industry. Cole maintained a steady career in television and film throughout the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in popular series such as Murder, She Wrote and Fantasy Island, before passing away in 2006.
Smith continued her run on Charlie's Angels through its final season in 1981, immediately transitioning into a successful career starring in television miniseries and building a pioneering retail and fashion empire with Kmart. Her romantic journey continued as well; she married cinematographer Anthony B. Richmond shortly after her divorce from Cole, with whom she welcomed her two children, Spencer and Gaston. Years later, she found long-term stability with her fourth husband, heart surgeon Dr. Brad Allen, with whom she built a lasting partnership.
Examining Smith's marriage to Cole highlights a transitional phase in her life—a time when she was learning to navigate massive celebrity status while figuring out how personal relationships fit into a demanding career. While their union was short-lived, it remains a notable chapter in the history of classic television romances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long were Jaclyn Smith and Dennis Cole married?
Jaclyn Smith and Dennis Cole were married for approximately three years, from November 1978 until their divorce was finalized in 1981.
Did Jaclyn Smith and Dennis Cole have any children together?
No, the couple did not have any children together during their marriage. Smith later had two children, Spencer and Gaston, with her third husband, Anthony B. Richmond.
Where did Jaclyn Smith and Dennis Cole meet?
They met on the set of Charlie's Angels in Los Angeles during the late 1970s, where Cole appeared as a guest actor on the hit television series.
Who are Jaclyn Smith's other husbands?
Smith has been married four times. Her husbands include actor Roger Davis (1968–1975), actor Dennis Cole (1978–1981), cinematographer Anthony B. Richmond (1981–1989), and cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Brad Allen (1997–present). For more details on her personal milestones, you can visit Biography.
