Victoria Principal, born Vicki Ree Principal, is an American actress, novelist, producer, and businesswoman best known for playing Pamela Barnes Ewing on “Dallas.” Principal featured till 1987 in the 1978–1991 TV series. After nine years on “Dallas,” Principal founded Victoria Principal Productions. She has numerous successful businesses.
Principal produced mostly TV movies. Principal also starred in her flicks. Her firm produced “Naked Lie” and “Blind Witness” in 1989 and “Sparks: The Price of Passion” in 1990. Principal left to pursue other ventures.
Principal married twice and divorced without children. She was always inventive and driven. She writes four books and acts and produces. “Living Principal,” a self-help book, was one of four volumes on health, beauty, and fitness. Her passion for beauty and wellbeing inspired Principal Secret, a skincare line.
Principal’s skincare company has been around since 1989. Daily cleansers, eye serums, and moisturizers are included. She left the company in 2019 to focus on charity. At 72, she appears to be obsessive about her skincare routine. Learn about Principal’s life and see her today.
Principal was born January 3, 1950, in Fukuoka, Japan. US Air Force sergeant Victor Rocco Principal’s oldest daughter. Her mother was Georgian Ree Veal. Principal spent her first three months in Japan, where her family was stationed.
Due to her father’s military job, Principal traveled frequently. Her childhood included London, Puerto Rico, Florida, Massachusetts, and Georgia. Principal attended 17 schools, including England’s Royal Ballet School. Principal started performing in advertisements at 5.
Principal attended Miami–Dade Community College to pursue medicine after graduating from South Dade Senior High School in 1968. She was hit by a drunk driver near the end of her freshman year of college and hospitalized for a long time. She had to retake her first year of study when she returned.
Principal chose acting over medicine. She proceeded to New York, then to London to study acting under Jean Scott at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She relocated to Los Angeles in 1970 to pursue acting. She played Westerns like “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean” with Paul Newman. Principal was nominated for best newcomer.
“Earthquake” starred Principal in 1974. She trimmed and dyed her hair black to play Rosa. She was chosen after taking a risk. One of Principal’s breakout flicks.
Dallas was a 1978 CBS primetime soap opera. Principal, a Hollywood talent agency, saw the script for a new program being cast and believed she was right for the role of Pamela Barnes Ewing. She was cast after calling the casting director to schedule an audition.
Principal told People about it. “I had already fallen in love with “Dallas” and the part before auditioning, so I knew it was special and that I wanted to be a part of it. I’m Pam “remarked. She seemed destined for the part.
Principal enjoyed her nine years on “Dallas” despite not getting along with her co-stars. She said, “I called but didn’t meet. We rarely socialized. We worked and lived differently. Patrick, Steve, Larry, and Linda were married and had children when I started the show. Single. Those are totally different lifestyles.”
Principal left the show. “The first five years on ‘Dallas’ were so wonderfully wonderful—then some major writers resigned, and by year 7 there was a downturn in the writing, which was an enormous element of my decision to leave,” Principal told Entertainment Weekly. She added in the same interview that her parking place was taken away after her statement.
Principal fought with “Dallas” producers to stay after leaving. She told Entertainment Weekly, “A few days before my final car accident scene, they offered me a per-episode salary that would have made me the highest-paid woman on TV. Life reveals your genuine self. Since I wasn’t for sale, I slept well.” She declined and left the show.
Principal fondly remembers playing Pam. “Playing Pam was educational. She was kind and brave in her beliefs. Playing her was an honor “she told Entertainment Weekly.
New fans are discovering the show almost 30 years later. “I’m glad folks are introducing their kids and grandchildren to “Dallas” based on all the emails I’ve received. I’m thrilled that “Dallas” is remembered “Principal told People Magazine.
Principal is a longtime environmentalist and charitable worker. 2012 Huffington Post interview: “Earth and its inhabitants are my first priority. Education, hunger, and science won’t matter without a healthy world since we won’t survive. I believe the planet will reclaim itself until we repair our land and waters. If you receive what you sow, humanity should be terrified.”
Principal founded her charity, The Victoria Principal Foundation For Thoughtful Existence, out of her reverence for the world. TV Insider interviewed her about the foundation’s mission “I founded a charity in 2006. To financially support this magnificent planet and its life. Ecology, oceans, poisonous compounds, children, and animals are my passions.”
Principal told TV Insider about her animal work. “I rehabilitate neglected and abused animals. They need medical care, patience, and love to heal. This isn’t a charity—they live with me for life. I enjoy it daily.”
Principal told The Huffington Post, “The Arthritis Foundation ambassador for 11 years. I helped create a National Institutes of Health fund for all autoimmune disorders, including arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and others.”
Principal Secret, her skincare line, is her greatest triumph outside of “Dallas.” She created the skincare line to cure her own skin troubles but chose to share her findings. Principal’s youthful glow at 72 suggests she’s doing something right.
Principal told The Huffington Post that she loves skincare and has since childhood. “The skincare ritual still enchants me. Container opening and closing music. The soft scent. Luxurious formulas soften skin and leave a radiance “said.
Her 1980s skincare enterprise was partly a necessity. “Dermatologists could only prescribe antibiotics to treat my adult acne in my 20s, which gave me awful stomachaches. I was caught in a loop of studio skin care and makeup, acne outbreaks, antibiotics, acne drying up, a bill I couldn’t pay, and a stomach pain “she told HuffPost.
Later, Principal’s own product line solved this problem. “I resolved to break this cycle and find a holistic skin care regimen. After discovering I was allergic to more than half of all skincare and makeup components, I worked with a chemist to design a cleanser, moisturizer, and eye product without those irritants “she stated.
Principal told Love to Know that looking young inspired her beauty line. “Soon after, I saw more ladies using severe steps to look younger, but I realized there was a better way for us all. Thus, Principal Secret.”
Principal advises a healthy lifestyle to look young. “Make sure to drink enough of water, get outside and enjoy fresh air and make sure to think of your age as how you feel, not how long you’ve lived on this earth,” she told Love to Know.
Principal’s youth isn’t just from skincare products. “We all need to exercise, eat, and sleep. Without those essentials, you’ll struggle “she remarked.
Finally, Principal advises these skincare products for lifelong healthy, beautiful skin. “At the basic least, a lady (and guy) should have a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer with SPF for day, and eye cream – that’s it,” she told Love to Know.
Principal looks great for her age, therefore her counsel must be good. She enjoyed a successful acting career with a memorable role. Charity and entrepreneurship have shaped her personal existence. Principal led a fascinating and busy life.
