Online Encyclopedia
Categories: 1949 births | U.S. actors and actresses | Canadian actors and actresses | Television actors | Cinema actors
Jan Smithers
Jan Smithers (born Karin Jan Smithers on 3 July, 1949) is an American television and film actress.
Smithers grew up in Woodland Hills, California. She played the character "Bailey Quarters" on the popular television series WKRP in Cincinnati. She first reached the public eye as a teenager, when she was featured on the cover of a 1966 issue of Newsweek, seated on a motorcycle. As a result of that exposure, she landed some commercial modeling work while pursuing her studies at the California Institute of the Arts.
As a teen, Ms. Smithers was involved in a car accident which left a permanent scar on her chin. To avoid another car that ran a stop sign, Jan swerved and hit a telephone pole. The impact smashed her face into the steering wheel, causing the injury. This scar cost her some roles, and according to Jan, made her feel insecure about her looks.
From 1987 through 1995 she was married to actor James Brolin. Now retired from show business, Jan currently lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.