• Images of Jennifer in Rio Lobo, Summer of '42, and Glory Days.

• Our video gallery offers QuickTime clips of Jennifer and John Wayne in Rio Lobo (949kb); Jennifer with Robert & Shane Conrad in Glory Days (1.7MB); and the Hazard music video.

  The questions surrounding Richard's upbringing and family life in the storyline are as perplexing as the questions about Mary. Only his mother was mentioned in the lyrics, leading some to believe that, outside of Mary, his mother was the only significant other in his life. Others point out the appearance of a ring on his mother's finger, as well as a scene that suggests the presence of a father figure, --albeit a weak one who perhaps wasn't around much and was less than committed to his family. Regardless, all agree that the bedroom scene of the boy seeing his mother share her affections with an unidentified lover provided understanding into Richard's mental and emotional makeup, especially in relation to Mary. As our residents suggest, the scene of the boy and his mother locking eyes in the bedroom represents one of the most powerful images in the video.  
   Often recognized from her long career as model and spokesperson for Cover Girl, Jennifer O'Neill was born in Rio de Janeiro and grew up in the midwest & eastern regions of the U.S. By age 15, she was juggling school and a modeling career (began modeling for Cover Girl at age 16). Jennifer took acting lessons and at age 22 played the role of "Dorothy" in the movie Summer of '42. Indeed, the nation fell in love with Dorothy, as did the world when the subtitled versions were released. This was one of over 25 feature films that she has acted in, and has enjoyed additional success in a variety of television movies and specials. Not surprisingly, Jennifer has been on the cover of numerous magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Bazaar, Us, and People. 
Yet, acting and modeling comprise only part of her prolific life. Jennifer is an experienced horse rider and has won championships at national horse show competitions; is an accomplished oil painter; has written songs, including one for an ad campaign that she created (and is recognized as a talented singer); has directed and produced; & has written a novel as well as an autobiography. Additionally, she is active in charitable work and has served as spokesperson for organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the Westchester chapter of March of Dimes. She has helped to produce and has hosted documentaries for educational and charitable causes, and is actively involved in various Christian-based organizations. She also avails herself to speaking engagements for educational and ministry-related functions. ...Mmm, did we mention she was once in a music video too?
   In her book Surviving Myself Jennifer shares a not-so-ivory tower look at her past, including the many personal tragedies she experienced during the time of her professional success. She speaks openly of her battles with loneliness, insecurity, guilt, and sense of low self-worth. She also shares her testimony of coming to her Savior, and how that has provided resolution to her guilt and insecurity, as well as her new sense of worth as a creature loved by her Creator. More recently, Jennifer has published another book From Fallen to Forgiven where she shares with other women her search for fulfillment, and finding the richness of God's grace.  

• First modeling job was for Hairdo magazine (the teen model eventually graduated to the cover of Seventeen magazine)

• Was dropped to the floor by the hands of John Wayne. On the set of the movie Rio Lobo, John Wayne carried O'Neill up the stairs (he had only one lung due to cancer) and, after reaching the top of the flight, he abruptly released Jennifer upon hearing that the camera wasn't positioned and the scene would have to be redone

• Accident prone: Be it a skateboarding accident, airplane ride mishap, auto accident, getting thrown from a horse, etc., Jennifer has broken her nose three times; suffered a broken wrist and, in a separate incident, a broken right arm and hand; diagnosed with a broken neck and back; --and, incredibly, the not-so-gun-loving actress accidentally shot herself with a .38 caliber pistol (long story, --it's explained in the book)

• Dramatic irony: Her convincing look of a tempting seductress, alongside her bedroom frolics that shaped her character in the Haz video carries some hidden contrast. In reality, Jennifer O'Neill advocates for values commonly considered "traditional," including the benefits of marital fidelity and the joy of marital intimacy (Promise Keepers is yet another organization that she has lent her support to)

• During the filming of Summer of '42, the director kept the 15 year old co-stars separated from Jennifer while off the set. This was done to help the boys maintain a natural sense of "awe and awkwardness" before the 22 year old supermodel

• Was contacted by Aaron Spelling (who Jennifer had worked with before) asking if she would like to be an Angel. He explained that he was putting together "a little show called Charlie's Angels" (at the time, Jennifer's interest was mostly limited to film work)