Angie Dickinson Reflects On Her Iconic Career And Hollywood Legends

Let me tell you a story about Angie Dickinson, one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses. If Angie Dickinson ever had the chance to rewind her life, she might just take a different path. “All movies are harder than you could ever imagine,” she recently confided to Closer. “You start working at 5:30 in the morning and often don’t finish until 6 p.m., if you’re lucky.” But despite the long hours and grueling schedules, Angie, now 92, has no regrets about her incredible journey in show business.

For those who love Angie, it’s hard to imagine a world where she didn’t grace our screens. Her illustrious career has spanned decades, featuring starring roles in dramas, thrillers, and westerns. And guess what? Angie chuckles as she admits, “I don’t think I ever did a comedy—at least not intentionally!” Her television work includes the iconic series Police Woman, which aired from 1974 to 1978, earning her three Emmy nominations. Angie's charm, wit, and talent have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Angie Dickinson’s journey into the world of show business was anything but planned. “I never thought of myself as someone who could be a great actress like Katharine Hepburn or Bette Davis,” she reflects. “But when I entered a beauty contest, I thought, ‘Why not? It sounds fun.’” That decision turned out to be life-changing. Angie placed second in the contest, but the exposure led to a role on The Jimmy Durante Show, where she met Frank Sinatra. Their connection blossomed into a romantic partnership and lifelong friendship. “Frank had been my heartthrob since I was a kid,” Angie recalls fondly. “We didn’t talk much about marriage, but we had an amazing relationship nonetheless.”

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One of Angie’s standout performances came in the 1959 film Rio Bravo, a movie she considers the pinnacle of her career. In this classic western, she starred alongside Dean Martin and John Wayne. “Dean was such a great guy—easygoing, friendly, and so cool,” Angie reminisces. “He owned a restaurant on Sunset Boulevard, so I’d known him casually before, but working together on Rio Bravo was something special.”

Her collaboration with John Wayne, affectionately known as “Duke,” was equally memorable. “This was Duke’s 300th movie, and he was an absolute professional and a true gentleman,” Angie says. “I was still relatively new to the business, so I really looked up to him. He’d quietly lean on his rifle and wait patiently while I got the scene just right. It was a masterclass in patience and professionalism.”

Breaking Ground with Police Woman

Angie Dickinson’s trailblazing spirit was never more evident than when she took on the role of Police Woman. After guest-starring on a 1974 episode of Police Story, Angie was offered her own series, one of the first hour-long dramas to feature a woman in the lead role. Her character frequently went undercover, often in disguise, which Angie found thrilling. “It was a blast. I’d be a streetwalker one day or someone down on their luck the next,” she says with a laugh. She also cherished working with guest stars like the legendary Joan Collins. “Joan was a delight to work with. She brought such warmth and professionalism to the set.”

However, the physical demands of the role and the relentless schedule eventually began to weigh on Angie. “Being a TV star means working nonstop,” she explains. “I filmed 90 episodes, and each one was fascinating, but I wouldn’t recommend doing a TV series to anyone. It’s like modern-day slavery.”

Even with the challenges she faced, Angie looks back on her career with pride and satisfaction. “Of course, there are things I wish I’d done differently, but when you think about it, I managed to stand on my own two feet. That’s something to be proud of,” she says with a sense of accomplishment. “And that makes everything OK.”