Marina Sirtis Cinzano Bianco television commercial starring Leonard Rossiter and Joan Collins, in which Collins was splattered with drink. In 1986, Sirtis relocated to the United States. When casting "", Gene Roddenberry was inspired to ask the exotic-looking Sirtis to audition for a role after seeing the film "Aliens" with Bob Justman, which featured the prominent Latina character Vasquez, played by Jenette Goldstein. Sirtis and Denise Crosby initially tried out for each other's eventual roles on "The Next Generation". Sirtis' character was going to be named Lt. Macha Hernandez, the Security Chief. Gene Roddenberry decided to switch them, and Macha Hernandez became
Joan Collins achievement. In 2015, Collins was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for services to charity. Since the late-1970s, Collins has written several books (including beauty and autobiographical books). In 1988, she published her first novel, "Prime Time", and she has continued to publish various kinds of writing. A member of the Conservative Party, Collins was invited to attend the funeral of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in April 2013. Collins was born in Paddington, London, and brought up in Maida Vale, the daughter of Elsa Collins (née Bessant), a dance teacher and nightclub hostess, and Joseph William Collins