22 November 2023 , 10:20
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Dame Joan Collins has shared the surprising inspiration behind her Dynasty character Alexis Carrington Colby, the scheming ex-wife of Blake Carrington on the hit CW show.
The English actress, who played the iconic villain in the American soap opera for eight years until 1989, opened up about the role during a sit-down interview with Louis Theroux for the BBC, which aired on Tuesday as part of his series Louis Theroux Interviews. Joan confirmed that one of the show's biggest fans at the time was none other than former president Donald Trump, now 77, who would go on to influence her portrayal of Alexis.
"Among the fans of Dynasty was a young man, who later went on to have success...well, success, that's debatable...as President," Louis said. "His name was Donald Trump." Joan laughed knowingly and replied, "Yes," to which Louis prompted, "But he was never on it?"
Joan Collins has confirmed to Louis Theroux that Donald Trump influenced her Dynasty character (BBC/Mindhouse Productions/Ryan McNamara)The award-winning actress then explained, "No, but he wanted to be on it." Joan went on to reveal that, when preparing for the role of Alexis, she thought of a "mixture of Donald Trump, who was not President then, he was a businessman, and a friend of mine, Cappy Badrutt, who was a very, very glamorous woman about town, very clever. So I wanted to have a mixture of them."
"So you did sort of base it on him?," Louis asked, to which Joan said, "Well, yes. Of course." When asked by the 53-year-old journalist what specific quality of Trump influenced the character of Alexis, Joan replied: "Ruthlessness." However, she refused to engage in a conversation about the former US President's beliefs and policies, insisting, "I am trying not to get involved politically. I am an actress so I don’t think we should spout our political opinions."
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Joan Collins played Alexis in Dynasty (Getty Images)
Donald Trump inspired the character (Elder Ordonez / SplashNews.com)This isn't the first time Joan has divulged the inspiration behind her legendary Dynasty alter-ego. Speaking to Tatler in 2019, the legendary Hollywood star spoke candidly about the two real humans that helped bring Alexis to life.
"One of them was one of my best friends at the time – Cappy Badrutt. She was married to the man who ran the Palace Hotel. She was the most glamorous woman I knew," she revealed. "And the other was based on the definitive New York businessman. The Gordon Gecko, or Boesky, or the Trump. I vaguely said that because of the fact that the businessmen were without any scruples whatsoever."
Joan's interview with Louis has received high praise online, with many viewers taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their approval. "Just watched the first chunk of the Louis Theroux interview with the divine Joan Collins. At ninety she can still flirt like a seventeen year old, and still has an ageless charisma. A role model for anybody concerned about being passed their first youth," one person raved.
"Currently watching Louis Theroux interviewing Joan Collins on BBC2 - just fabulous. What an absolute icon she is," another impressed viewer said.