Pamela Sue Martin: From Dynasty To A Life Of Simplicity And Creativity

A Journey Through Stardom

At just 19 years old, Pamela Sue Martin joined a star-studded cast in the disaster film The Poseidon Adventure, where she played a survivor in an overturned ship. Fast forward a few years, and she became a household name as the young detective Nancy Drew in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. But it was her portrayal of the spoiled rich girl Fallon Carrington Colby on the hit TV series Dynasty that cemented her status as a TV icon. By the 1980s, Pamela found herself at the center of a ratings sensation, but her journey in Hollywood wasn't always smooth.

Why She Walked Away from Fame

Pamela, now 70, reminisces about the early days of Dynasty, which she describes as having a satirical quality that was intellectually stimulating. However, as the show progressed, the tone shifted with the arrival of more traditional soap writers. Unhappy with the changes, she made the bold decision to leave the show in 1984 and stepped away from Hollywood a few years later. "Some of the decisions I made seemed wrong to other people at the time, but I’d had my fill and just enough money to move on," she reflects. "I’ve never really looked back. I wanted to be with animals, ride horses, travel a bit, and have a family. I was able to do all that by leaving."

Character Reflections: Fallon and Nancy Drew

When asked if she identifies with the characters she played, Pamela admits that initially, she thought she was nothing like them. However, over time, she realized that perhaps she does share some traits with them. "I’ve always gone against the prevailing thinking and found my own way," she explains. "I got a motorcycle when I was 16 and thought nothing of jumping on a horse. I think I always had a sense of adventure as a young person, otherwise I wouldn’t have ended up in New York pursuing modeling to make money for college."

Read also:

Richard Gere And Alejandra Silva Welcome New Baby A Heartwarming Journey

The Challenges of Modeling

Modeling, Pamela recalls, was a tough experience, especially at the tender ages of 16 and 17. "It did a number on my head: be thinner; be prettier!" she says. "I was sacrificing a part of my youth. It didn’t seem to be what life was about." Despite the challenges, it was an experience that shaped her understanding of the entertainment industry and her own identity.

Working with Legends

Her second film, The Poseidon Adventure, co-starred five Academy Award winners: Gene Hackman, Shelley Winters, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Albertson, and Red Buttons. Pamela shares how the seasoned actors interacted with each other while she mostly observed. Gene Hackman was particularly helpful, especially in a scene where she had to scream upon seeing a dead body. "I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, so he had me go outside and practice," she laughs. Shelley Winters, on the other hand, was a force to be reckoned with. When Pamela found an apartment to rent, Shelley exclaimed, "Oh gawd! That’s where all the hookers live!"

The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries

In the late ’70s, Pamela starred alongside Parker Stevenson and Shaun Cassidy in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. She remembers it fondly as a fun experience because they were all the same age and hung out together. "We were stupid kids driving around the lot in golf carts," she jokes. Despite the camaraderie, she recalls being tired all the time due to the fast-paced production schedule.

Playboy and Dynasty Fashion

After her Nancy Drew days, Pamela posed for Playboy, following in the footsteps of Barbra Streisand. "I was told it wouldn’t be complete nudity, so I didn’t give it that much thought," she says. The article allowed her to discuss her work with the environment. As for Dynasty, while the show was known for its extravagant fashion, Pamela didn’t often wear designer gowns. "I was pretty much an off-the-rack gal — but the rack was Rodeo Drive," she explains. "The minute I got off work, it was blue jeans and horses."

Life After Dynasty

Why She Left the Show

Pamela left Dynasty when it was one of the most-watched shows on TV because she was dissatisfied with the direction her character took. "Joan [Collins] came in with her caricature and it became less and less real," she explains. "It became a trashy soap opera. If you were strong, you were a bitch; if you were weak, you were a victim. Coming out of the women’s movement of the ’70s, I didn’t take to that very well." Over time, she learned to appreciate the value of sheer entertainment and directing theater productions that bring joy to audiences.

A Life of Simplicity

After Dynasty, Pamela moved to Hailey, Idaho, with her horses and raised her son. She has lived in the same place for over 35 years and now resides primarily in Mexico, where she renovated a barn into her living space. "I’ve worked hard to learn as much Spanish as I can," she shares. "But my boyfriend, Allan Amador Cervantes, calls my Spanish ‘functional Spanish.’"

Read also:

Halle Berrys Journey As A Mom And Hollywood Star

Family and Personal Growth

Pamela’s son, Nick, is 32 and has a biochemistry degree. He and his girlfriend run a river guiding company called Cascadia Rafting. "He comes to stay with me in the winter," she says proudly. When it comes to acting, Pamela is open to short projects but feels grateful for her current life, which she describes as appreciating the simple things.

Expressing Creativity

Painting, gardening, and playing the ukulele are just a few of the ways Pamela expresses her creativity these days. She’s also involved in a choir in Mexico and became a Science of Mind practitioner 16 years ago. Her love for theater and comedy continues, and she’s excited to direct an upcoming production in Mexico this winter.