Jaclyn Smith and her husband Brad Allen have been married for nearly three decades, but for more than half of that time, they didn’t share a home. The Charlie’s Angels star has revealed that she and Allen lived in different states for approximately 17 years, maintaining their marriage across a long-distance arrangement that only ended in 2009.
The couple, who married in 1997, spent those years with Allen based in Chicago for his work while Smith remained in Los Angeles to raise her two children from a previous marriage. Smith describes the arrangement in her new memoir, I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie, and in a candid interview where she reflects on a marriage that defied conventional expectations.
For Smith, who had three previous marriages end in divorce, the distance didn’t weaken their bond—it may have strengthened it. Now living together for more than 15 years, she describes their life as “bliss” and says she “finally got it right” with Allen.
Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen Spent 17 Years Living in Different States
The revelation that Smith and Allen lived apart for 17 years is one of the more striking details to emerge from her new memoir and accompanying interviews. According to Smith, the arrangement began about two years after they met, when Allen took a job in Chicago.
He spent the next 17 years there while Smith continued living in Los Angeles. The couple made their long-distance marriage work through regular visits and a shared commitment to their relationship.
“When you have only a weekend, you really make it count,” Smith said. “I could go there, he could come here. He did most of the commuting, because I had two kids, and I couldn’t move them from their dad. We made it work.”
The couple married in 1997, several years into this arrangement. Allen also supported Smith through her 2002 breast cancer diagnosis during this period, a time when having a partner—even one in another city—was critically important.
Smith has been cancer-free since her treatment, which included a lumpectomy and radiation.
Who Is Jaclyn Smith?
Jaclyn Smith is one of the most recognizable television actresses of the 1970s and remains closely associated with one of the era’s most iconic series. She starred as Kelly Garrett on Charlie’s Angels from 1976 to 1981 and was the only Angel to appear in every episode across all five seasons.
Born in Houston, Texas, Smith began her career as a model before transitioning to acting. She made more than 100 commercials before landing the role that would make her a household name.
Charlie’s Angels became a cultural phenomenon, and Smith’s portrayal of Kelly Garrett—competent, capable, and central to the show’s investigative work—helped pave the way for women in television. “For three women to step into that territory, not as ornaments but as agents and competent and strong and, you know, really central in a story was unusual,” Smith said. “So I think it really paved the way for women in television.”
Beyond Charlie’s Angels, Smith built a successful career in television movies and miniseries, earning the title “Queen of the Miniseries” in the 1980s. She also established a pioneering business relationship with Kmart that lasted 40 years, making her one of the first celebrities to build a significant retail brand.
Who Is Brad Allen, Jaclyn Smith’s Husband?
Brad Allen is a cardiothoracic surgeon, a profession he has maintained throughout his marriage to Smith. He is Smith’s fourth husband, and the couple has been married since 1997.
Allen has largely avoided the public spotlight that comes with being married to a famous actress. He is known for his devotion to Smith’s family; she has described him as “the most fantastic stepfather I could ever dream of.”
“I got a great husband, great marriage, and the most fantastic stepfather I could ever dream of,” Smith said. “I mean, he loves my kids like they’re his. There’s no better gift. For a girl that just believed in marriage and kids, I finally got that.”
Smith’s two children—a son and a daughter from her marriage to Tony Richmond—were raised primarily in Los Angeles, which is part of why the couple chose to maintain separate residences for so many years.
How Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen Met
The story of how Smith and Allen met is one of those unlikely connections that seems almost scripted. Allen was part of the medical team that performed heart surgery on Smith’s father, Jack Smith.
The meeting occurred in 1991, and Smith has spoken about feeling an immediate connection. At the time, her mother, concerned about her daughter walking to the parking garage alone, asked Allen to escort her.
“My mom didn’t want me walking down to the parking garage alone so he would walk me down,” Smith recalled. “Who would’ve dreamed it could have happened?”
The couple dated for several years before marrying. Smith has described seeing “a purity of heart” in Allen that distinguished him from her previous relationships.
When Did Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen Get Married?
Smith and Allen married on October 11, 1997, in Los Angeles. The wedding was intimate and family-focused. Smith’s daughter, then 11 years old, served as maid of honor, and her son, then 15, gave her away.
“There was nothing cookie-cutter about that wedding,” director Lou Antonio told PEOPLE. “It was joyous.”
Ahead of the wedding, Smith expressed her hopes for this marriage, telling the Boston Herald, “I want this one to be forever.” After three previous marriages to Roger Davis, Dennis Cole, and Tony Richmond, Smith was determined that this relationship would be different.
Why Did They Live in Different States?
The decision for Smith and Allen to live in different states was rooted in practical considerations rather than any relationship difficulties. Allen’s career as a cardiothoracic surgeon required him to be based in Chicago, where he had established his practice and professional reputation.
Meanwhile, Smith was raising her two children in Los Angeles. She had custody arrangements with her ex-husband, Tony Richmond, and moving the children would have disrupted their lives and their relationship with their father.
“I couldn’t move them from their dad,” Smith explained simply.
This decision reflects Smith’s priorities: her children’s stability and well-being came first, even if it meant maintaining a long-distance marriage. Allen supported this choice, and according to Smith, he did the majority of the traveling between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Smith’s memoir details the couple’s long-distance years, and her interviews about the arrangement have been frank about both the challenges and the unexpected benefits.
How Did Their Long-Distance Marriage Work?
Maintaining a marriage across two states for 17 years required intentional effort and mutual commitment. Smith has described an approach built around making the most of their time together.
“When you have only a weekend, you really make it count,” she said.
The couple alternated visits, though Allen took on more of the burden of travel because Smith’s responsibilities as a mother made it more difficult for her to leave Los Angeles frequently. “He did most of the commuting,” Smith said.
The arrangement also meant that their time together was focused and prioritized. There were no opportunities to take each other for granted or to let the relationship become routine. Every visit was deliberate.
Allen’s support during Smith’s breast cancer treatment in 2002 demonstrates the depth of their commitment despite the distance. He was present for her through a frightening and physically taxing period, even while maintaining his professional obligations in Chicago.
When Did Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen Begin Living Together?
The couple finally closed the distance in 2009, when Allen relocated to Los Angeles. The transition marked the end of 17 years of living in separate states and the beginning of a new chapter in their marriage.
“Now that we’re together it’s just like bliss, because we did [long distance] for so long,” Smith said. “God, I can’t imagine not having him here now. I can’t. It just makes life easier and better.”
Smith has spoken about the adjustment of finally sharing a home after so many years apart. The “bliss” she describes suggests that the wait made the reward sweeter—that the years of separation ultimately reinforced their appreciation for each other’s presence.
What Jaclyn Smith Has Said About Their Marriage
Smith’s reflections on her marriage to Allen are characterized by gratitude and a sense of finally having found what she was looking for. After three divorces, she has been open about the contrast between her earlier relationships and her marriage to Allen.
“I finally got it right,” she said.
Smith has also emphasized Allen’s role as a stepfather to her children. “He loves my kids like they’re his,” she said. “There’s no better gift.”
In 2022, the couple celebrated their 25th anniversary. Smith marked the occasion with an Instagram post expressing her affection: “Happy 25th anniversary to my guy, my best friend, my partner in life who keeps me laughing through the ups and down and takes such good care of all of us, even my honeybun.”
Smith has credited Allen with helping her stay healthy and motivated. In December 2022, the couple posted workout videos together, demonstrating both their shared commitment to fitness and their playful dynamic. “It’s hard to stay motivated to work out during the holiday season but Brad and I have found a way to have a few laughs while also getting a workout done!” Smith wrote.
In 2018, reflecting on 21 years of marriage, Smith told Closer Weekly, “I’m still a lucky girl.”
What Makes Their Marriage Story Unusual?
Living in different states for 17 years is unusual by any measure. Most marriages assume cohabitation as a baseline, and extended separation is often viewed as a warning sign rather than a strategy.
But Smith and Allen’s story challenges that assumption. Their arrangement was born of necessity—Allen’s career in Chicago, Smith’s commitment to keeping her children in Los Angeles—rather than any desire to live apart. They made it work through deliberate effort, regular visits, and a shared understanding that the arrangement was temporary.
The fact that they not only survived but thrived during this period, and then transitioned successfully to living together, suggests that their bond was strong enough to withstand the challenges of distance. Smith’s description of their current life as “bliss” and her statement that she “can’t imagine not having him here now” indicate that the years apart ultimately strengthened their appreciation for being together.
Their story also reflects the reality that many marriages involve compromises and unconventional arrangements. Smith’s decision to prioritize her children’s stability, even at the cost of living apart from her husband, is a choice that many parents will understand.
Jaclyn Smith, Charlie’s Angels and Her Career
Smith’s marriage story is emerging alongside renewed attention to Charlie’s Angels, which continues to hold a significant place in television history. Smith was the only Angel to appear in all five seasons of the original series, which ran from 1976 to 1981.
The show made Smith a star and remains a defining part of her public identity. In her memoir, she reflects on both the opportunities and the darker sides of that fame. She has spoken about receiving a threatening phone call when her son was born, requiring her to leave the hospital with armed guards.
“I had to leave the hospital with armed guards,” she said. “And I was frightened. I mean, yeah, the hospital wanted me out. So that’s when celebrity can get a little overwhelming.”
Smith also notes that every Angel dealt with some form of invasive attention. “I think every angel had restraining orders,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Smith’s career has been remarkably durable. Beyond Charlie’s Angels, she built a successful business empire and maintained a public presence that has spanned five decades.
Jaclyn Smith’s Memoir and Why She Is Talking About Her Life Now
Smith’s new memoir, I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie, provides the context for her current interviews. The book, published in September 2026, covers her childhood, her career, her four marriages, and her experiences with fame.
The title refers to the unseen character Charlie, the never-seen boss of the Angels, but it also serves as a meditation on Smith’s own journey through Hollywood and beyond.
Smith has been candid in the memoir about difficult subjects, including her first husband’s affair and the threatening phone call she received after her son’s birth. She also writes about her friendship with Farrah Fawcett, describing her as “an 8×10 glassy come to life” and recounting their final dinner together before Fawcett’s death in 2009.
The memoir has generated significant media attention, and Smith has been giving interviews that cover both the book’s revelations and her personal reflections on marriage and family. Her comments about the long-distance years with Allen have become one of the most-discussed aspects of her recent press tour.
Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen Today
Smith and Allen have now been living together in Los Angeles for more than 15 years. Their marriage, which began with such an unconventional arrangement, has become a testament to their commitment and their ability to adapt.
Smith’s description of their current life is simple and warm: “bliss.”
At 80, Smith remains active—she recently launched a new fragrance called Jackie—and continues to engage with the public through her memoir and interviews. Allen, 72, has maintained his professional identity as a surgeon while supporting his wife’s career and public life.
Their story, as Smith tells it, is one of persistence and patience. After three marriages that ended in divorce, she found in Allen a partner who was willing to make unusual arrangements work. The 17 years apart were not a sign of trouble but a practical response to the circumstances of their lives at the time. And the years since, Smith suggests, have been worth the wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jaclyn Smith’s husband?
Jaclyn Smith is married to Brad Allen, a cardiothoracic surgeon. The couple tied the knot on October 11, 1997, making their marriage span nearly three decades. Allen is Smith’s fourth husband.
Who is Brad Allen?
Brad Allen is a cardiothoracic surgeon who has largely stayed out of the public spotlight despite his marriage to a famous actress. He first met Smith in 1991 when he was part of the medical team that performed heart surgery on her father. Smith has often described him as an incredible stepfather to her two children.
How long have Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen been married?
The couple has been married since October 1997, which means they have been together for close to 28 years. They celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2022.
Did Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen live apart?
Yes. Smith has revealed that she and Allen lived in different states for approximately 17 years. Allen was based in Chicago for his surgical career while Smith remained in Los Angeles to raise her two children from her previous marriage to Tony Richmond.
Why did Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen live in different states?
The arrangement was driven by practical considerations rather than any marital trouble. Allen’s career as a cardiothoracic surgeon required him to be based in Chicago, while Smith needed to stay in Los Angeles because she shared custody of her children with her ex-husband and did not want to move them away from their father. As Smith put it, “I couldn’t move them from their dad.”
How did Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen make their long-distance marriage work?
The couple relied on regular visits and made their limited time together count. Allen took on most of the commuting between Chicago and Los Angeles because Smith’s responsibilities as a mother made it harder for her to travel frequently. Smith has said, “When you have only a weekend, you really make it count.”
When did Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen finally start living together?
The couple closed the distance in 2009, when Allen relocated to Los Angeles. That ended roughly 17 years of living in separate states. Smith has described their life together since then as “bliss” and said she “can’t imagine not having him here now.”
How did Jaclyn Smith and Brad Allen meet?
They met in 1991 when Allen was part of the medical team that performed heart surgery on Smith’s father, Jack Smith. Smith’s mother, worried about her walking to the parking garage alone, asked Allen to escort her. The couple dated for several years before marrying in 1997.
What is Jaclyn Smith best known for?
Smith is best known for playing Kelly Garrett on Charlie’s Angels from 1976 to 1981. She was the only Angel to appear in every episode across all five seasons of the original series. She also built a successful career in television movies and miniseries, and established a long-running retail brand with Kmart.
What is Jaclyn Smith’s memoir about?
Smith’s memoir, I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie, was published in September 2026. It covers her childhood, her acting career, her four marriages, her experiences with fame, and her friendship with Farrah Fawcett. The long-distance years of her marriage to Brad Allen are among the details discussed in the book.
Does Jaclyn Smith have children?
Yes. Smith has two children—a son and a daughter—from her marriage to Tony Richmond. Brad Allen is their stepfather, and Smith has spoken warmly about his relationship with them, saying he “loves my kids like they’re his.”