Whizkid on ‘Dallas’

Press, 2 April 1985, Page 15

Whizkid on ‘Dallas’

A new “Dallas” star, Jenilee Harrison, is not in awe of mixing with television’s Texas millionaire set — she has a seven-figure fortune in real life. Miss Harrison, the former “Three’s Company” star, makes her first appearance on “Dallas” tonight as the mysterious Jamie, cousin of She could probably teach old J.R. himself a moneymaking trick, or two — because she is one of Hollywood’s most successful financial whizkids. The 24-year-old Californian beauty — who started, 10 years ago, with $4OOO in savings — has turned herself into a property millionairess, and is probably the richest star in “Dallas.” “I’ve invested a lot and I’ve always saved a lot,” she says. “By the time I was 14, I had scraped together that $4OOO and began putting it into stocks and shares. “Now, my accountants tell me that if I quit acting today I wouldn’t have to work again for the rest of my life. “But, before I do that, I want to earn myself something even more valuable — an Academy Award. “I don’t care how long it takes, but I’m determined to win one.” Jenilee Harrison works

hard at money-making. Recently, she qualified as a licensed real-estate broker, so that she can look after her own affairs more efficiently. Her property investments include a recording studio, several apartment buildings, two shopping precincts and a television production company which specialises in TV commercials. Although she has a string of tax advisers, financial experts, investment consultants and lawyers, Miss Harrison still handles most of her own deals. “I think the best yardstick is very often my feminine intuition,” she says. “It’s been right far more often than it’s been wrong. That’s why I sacked my business manager. “Somehow, the guy never seemed to know as much about what was going on in the financial world as I did.” Jenilee Harrison’s background is far from financial. Her parents spent many years living in virtual poverty in California’s San Fernando Valley, and Jenilee is the youngest of five children. “I was the most aggressive and ambitions,” she says. “So my parents

couldn’t do anything else but encourage me to go all out to get what I wanted from life.” She is still very close to her parents, brothers and sisters, but realised, as a teenager, “showbusiness seemed the best career for a girl to make good money. “My first job was as a cheer-leader with a Los Angeles football club, and I sure learned a lot about showbusiness in that job. “Like a lot of the other girls there, I managed to get the chance to make television commercials, and that soon became a career for me. I made a LOT, and it also brought me in a lot of money.” Soon, she was also landing regular supporting roles in television series and movies. But the turning-pbint was beating dozens of other actresses for the co-starring role of Cindy in the TV comedy series, “Three’s Company.” “My acting experience was rather limited,” she says, “But I worked hard and learned fast. “Although I was originally hired only until the studio discovered somebody better, I held the job down for three years until the show finished its run. “I was lucky enough to have realised the mistake

lots of other actors make when they start earning $lOO,OOO a show from a successful series. “They lead superstar lifestyles — spend everything they earn — and end up broke when the show ends. “Well, I managed to enjoy life — but I also kept on saving and investing — and I STILL do.” Miss Harrison’s lifestyle is far from extravagant, by Hollywood standards. Her home is a comforable beachside cottage, which she shares with a friend, and is only a few minutes’ walk from her parents’ home. Now, she regards “Dallas” as the best thing that has happened to her as an actress. "I was a fan from the moment the series began,” she says, “and, when I heard that I was joining the cast, I was absolutely petrified of working with Larry Hagman! “In a funny way, I guess I couldn’t quite believe that he was very different from J. R. Ewing. But he’s really a very nice guy, who keeps everybody in the show happy and laughing. “He’s always clowning about. “In fact, it turned out he was one of MY fans when I was with ‘Three’s Company’ — and he does such a funny impression of my Cindy that he can bring ‘Dallas’ to a standstill!” Features International