After Jacobs decided that Evans would no longer play Pam, he began searching for another actress to play the character. The role was eventually won by then 28-year-old actress, Victoria Principal. Principal won the role over another finalist, Judith Chapman, who was known famously for her work in daytime television. Shortly after Principal's role on "Fantasy Island", a friend pointed her in the direction of "Dallas" and "a part in it that was written for you". Eventually, Principal received a copy of the script "and read it and thought friend was absolutely right". Acting as her own agent, she set up a meeting with the producers of "Dallas". Lee Rich, an executive producer in 1979, recounted: "We had all heard rumors about Victoria. This is a small town. Victoria's background, her so-called past, was a plus. We felt that she had experienced life and could understand the part." Jacobs later said, "Victoria, of all the actors, went for the role the most aggressively. And that sort of determination just became part of the character." Prior to being cast in "Dallas", Principal had starred in a few small roles in movies and television specials. These works include "Earthquake" in 1974, and "Fantasy Island" in 1977.