People News
By Stone Martindale Nov 19, 2007, 19:46 GMT
Jan Smithers recovering after naked car accident
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Older Talkback
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To bloggers, writers and friends...
I recently became aware of misleading articles written about me, and I wanted to correct false statements and address the details about a car accident that occurred in September 2007. The articles and blogs report that I was “driving naked” and that the police drove my car to my house, entered my house, and found that I owned no clothing.
Here are the facts: I was neither driving nor was I naked when the accident occurred. I was fully clothed and was walking away from my car when I was accidentally hit by a small pickup truck. My car was then taken to a police destination, and I paid to have it released.
You may be relieved to learn that I have plenty of clothes in my closet.
Miraculously – by the grace of God, wonderful surgeons and nurses, my friends and family, and all your prayers – I have recovered. I want to thank you for your concern. I am well, and my family is well.
Kindest regards, Jan Smithers
This is nice to hear. I knew the story as it was reported had to be nonsense. The statements just didn't hold water. Best wishes to Ms Smithers. I hope she's cast in something soon if she wants to act again. That would be fantastic.
Watching WKRP right now. 'Bailey' was always my favorite and will ever be the best !
I feel there is more to add, but I don't know what. Jan has always been so captivating. I think we each have an image of the perfect woman in our our minds and when we encounter a close match something clicks in our heads and our hearts. Jan must be a very close match and it's more than just her looks. Her mannerism and persona, speech patterns and so on. I was upset when I read the first article and then I thought they must have mis-reported it because things didn't add up. Where I was wrong was that I thought they made up a story to protect someone from prosecution and blamed the nudity thing on Jan. I couldn't accept that she was out driving her car in the nude, especially since they reported that she was trying to get help for a broken down car and the car was working perfectly. I missed the truth that Jan was in fact fully clothed throughout the whole ordeal and some idiot reporter must have made the whole nudity thing up out of his own dirty little mind. I guess I just didn't think they'd go that far in print. I never really asked myself the question. So I never came to that answer. I always knew something had to be wrong with the story as it was written, but at what level? Well it turned out, as above, about the only thing that was true was that Jan had been hit by a car. Bad enough! If you ever read this Jan, I want you to know that I am sad that this ever happened to you and really happy that you've recovered fully. Then to have the whole thing misrepresented like that is so unfair. But we know you through the characters you've created and the rare public appearances. We have an image of your personality and the story didn't fit. We can only accept that the above statement really comes from you, because well, it does fit. It is much more believable and it explains everything.
So, warm loving thoughts in your direction, and please get back into acting. There are many of us who'd really like to see you on the screen again in a *good* role, and they are hard to find these days, I know. You know what's best for you and go with that. Keep smiling, stay well, and try to keep out of the way of motor vehicles. (;-))
I also had trouble believing the story when I read it and I'm glad to hear you are doing well. I've always been a big fan of yours and there are alot of us out here who would like to see you again. Stay safe and continued health, best whishes for the future.:)
Jan, if you are ever back here, read this or if Jan even knows this site exists... thank you for posting the explanation. And thanks to Fred for copying this link on the only other site that carried this 'story'.
Best to you!
Jan If you ever go to this site again I want you to know I've never forgotten your kindness and generosity to me. We met at Camp Beverly Hills and I went off to Japan to work for a while, after 4 months I returned from Japan, phoned you and invited by you to stay in your home until I got up on my feet again. You and your sister Holly were always so good to me. I have fond memories of you playing guitar and my helping you with your line memorization for WKRP, as well as the precious time with Baba Muktananda I have tried to find you for many years with no success. I hope you remember me. Im now 47 and work as a Personal Assistant to Dale Chihuly here in Seattle Wa . If you read this by some luck of god I hope you say hello. I was so sorry to hear of your accident, and Im so glad you're recovering. I miss you and love you with all my heart
Kelly Tallariti
To me Jan Smithers always personified that mythical figure known as the 'all American girl.' As I recall her character on WKRP she was cute, sexy, shy and smart all at once; a seemingly simple soul who was really very complex in her own endearingly quirky way. I had hoped to see her in many more acting roles after the cancellation of that show but apparently her life has led her in other directions than acting. I am quite sure that she is the genuinely sweet soul that she appeared to be as 'Bailey Quarters' so many years ago and I hope life has treated her well since then. She is a contemporary of mine, born just four months after I was, and it's hard to believe she recently turned sixty, as I myself did last August. Time marches on and there is no way to stop the clock. But there's still a lot of living to do. Best of luck to you in all you do, Ms. Smithers, wherever you are......
D.R.
Ooops! Small correction needed on what I posted a moment ago. I had thought Jan Smithers was born January 1949. Upon checking that information I see that she was born in July of 1949, so she's still fifty-nine years of age, although remembering the young actress from WKRP that also seems hard to believe.
Jan, To many of us you will always be our tiny dancer. When I want to relive some long ago times, I watch WKRP and remember wanting to find someone as lovely as you and since I do not know you, like the character you played on it. Have a good remainder of your life.
Hello. I have long wondered what had happened to my favorite WKRP cast member. A local radio station trivia guy said you had given up acting and became a homeopathic physician. I had not heard about your accident. I would hope that most of the healing is done. When I turned 60 in 2006 I found the experience to be a bit bizarre. 30 was awful; 40 was, 'Ho-hum' but 60 was, again, bizarre. Best wishes, happy birthday and welcome to the Other Side.
Ms. Smithers,
I echo the sentiments expressed by others that to me, your Bailey Porter character has always personified the near-perfect woman, certainly in terms of looks, as well as the personna projected by the character.
I'm watching WKRP now on WGN and wondered for about the 10,000th time what had become of you, and why I hadn't seen you in other acting endeavors over the years. Whatever your reasons, I'm glad to know that you're doing well, and wish you the best now and in the future.
In my mind, and I'm sure to a great extent in reality, that you're still as adorable as ever.
Best Regards,
Chuck Reaney
Media, PA
Hello Jan!! Glad to hear that it wasn't as bizarre as it seemed to be. I am glad you are doing well. How can a fanboy go about getting an (current if possible) autographed photo of your gloriousness?? Miss your presence much. I'll pay! (for the photo) dannyrimmer@rocketmail.com
Jan
If this is truly you I am glad to hear the bizarre story was not true.
I have always thought you were gorgeous and loved WKRP and you.
I would love to see you act again I am sure you are as beutiful today as you were during the WKRP days.
I have been in radio since '72'...Loved the show...I fell in love
with Jan Smithers...and her character ;)...hope you are doing well
and are happy.
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