Sally Spectra: Large than life!

                                               Darlene Conley [1934-2007]

Sally Spectra, among other things, was a woman who lived life large. She was known for her large figure, open and very jovial personality, and her trademark red coiffure. She was often compared to the gal pal in old time movies.

Longtime friend Phyllis Diller once described Darlene as, “bigger than life, just like her character Sally Spectra.”

The characters Stephanie and Sally did not start out as friends. Sally often dressed as a man, a delivery guy or almost anything else to break into Forrester Creations to steal their designs. However, Stephanie often forgave Sally because she realized La Spectra did so to keep hundreds of her employees working through tough times. Sally had heart, and Darlene Conley also had an amazing heart of gold.

 Darlene once told me, “Kid, these young folks spend too much time chit-chatting in between filming scenes, if you ever do any acting, don’t do that. Save your energy for the scene. The boss is paying you to be extraordinary, not tired when the lights and cameras come on.” When I filmed a scene in Henry Jaglom’s upcoming “Queen of the Lot,” I remembered Darlene’s advice and it paid off. At least the director said it did. Time will tell.

For many years, Sally owned and operated Spectra Fashions (later renamed Spectra Couture). For most of that time, the company was called a knock-off firm, since her designers often stole from the more established Forrester firm.

At Spectra, Sally was usually helped by her daughter Macy Alexander (Bobbie Eakes), Sally's receptionist, Darla Einstein (Schae Harrison), who Sally thought of as a daughter and Saul Feinberg (Michael Fox). Also seen often was fashion designer Clarke Garrison (Daniel McVicar), who Sally at first blackmailed to design for Spectra while working for Forester but later crossovered to Spectra completely and began to woo Sally. Despite being warned by her family and friends that Clarke only wanted her company Sally married him.

Despite the fact that Clarke at first claimed to be impotent he eventually fathered C.J. (Mick Cain), Sally's son. Sally's fears were realized when she discovered that Clarke was involved with Kristen Forrester (then played by Terri Ann Linn). With the help of her Spectra family Sally managed to prove Clarke's infidelity to court and thus avoided losing her company. Sally divorced Clarke and he left town.

Her relationships with the Forrester family were mixed. Eric Forrester (John McCook) admired her scrappiness, since that was how his father was when he began working in fashion. Sally, in fact, was absolutely crazy about Eric. Sally always kept the Forresters on their toes and often managed to get one up on them.

 

Sally was fascinated with the Forester family and often crashed many Forrester family events. These actions did not take kindly with Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery) and the two began a long feud. However, the feud between them ended in later years, as the two women came to more fully understand and respect one-another.

Her daughter, Macy Alexander, was married to Thorne Forrester (Winsor Harmon) for quite a number of years, and had a long on-again/off-again relationship. Her surrogate daughter, Darla, was also married to Thorne until her life was tragically cut short recently.

Sadly, her company eventually went under, after a very disastrous gamble of choosing to compete with the Forrester's head to head. She shut down, and then sold off, what was left of her company. She then began working at Forrester Creations as the new receptionist, replacing Megan Conley (Maeve Quinlan). This came about after trying, and failing, to find a suitable receptionist. Sally offered her services, but warned that she didn't come cheap. She wanted a limo and a handsome driver with biceps, a sign of her very flirtatious and fun-loving nature. Sally also moved with Thorne, Darla, and their daughter, Alexandria (Harley Graham) for a while, and stayed with Thorne and Alexandria even after Darla's death. Sally had some medical issues recently which resulted in needing to use a wheelchair. (This was due to a real-life leg injury that Darlene Conley suffered)

Sally last appeared on-screen in November 2006 (shortly after, Darlene Conley died on January 14, 2007). For a long time after Darlene Conley's death, nothing was explained about Sally's absence, except mention by her son, C.J. that she had been ill. Finally, in November 2007 it was revealed by CJ to Clarke (and to the viewers as well) that Sally was alive and well, and true to her flirtatious and fun-loving nature, was living in the South of France with a string of cabana boys.

On Christmas Eve 2009, Stephanie told Pam that unlike in past years, she did not receive a Christmas card from Sally, which usually consisted of the boasting of all the cabana boys. Stephanie believes she will still hear from her, but in the meantime offers a toast to her picture.

Her relationship with Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery) was unique. For years, they often fought and fussed, due to her firm's knock-off reputation. These spats often ended with Sally taking an unceremonious dip in the water, usually instigated by Stephanie. (At that time, her catch phrase was a usually loud "Hello, Stephanie!") One time, Stephanie and Sally were drunk in Stephanie's office at Forrester, and Stephanie allowed Sally to cut her hair, which ended disastrously, but hilariously. This was the explanation for Susan Flannery's sudden change of hair style, from her previously shoulder-length, to her now trademark cropped style.

Time helped cement the two women's friendship. Sally called Stephanie "Highness" or "Queenie"; at first the nicknames were meant to be sarcastic, but became terms of affection. (Stephanie called her "doll" and she also referred to her as "Sal, my gal") She was considered to be part of the extended Forrester family, often joining Stephanie at family functions (this was by virtue of Sally's daughter Macy, and later, her surrogate daughter, Darla, being married to Thorne Forrester). Even after Forrester was unwillingly sold to Nick Marone (Jack Wagner), Sally was still considered family, and beloved by everyone. In fact, Eric considered her a Forrester herself. She also gave nicknames to others in her extended family, namely Felicia Forrester (Lesli Kay), whom she affectionately called "Fifi." In addition, Sally defended Stephanie against Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown), who was harassing the Forrester matriarch after poisoning her with mercury pills, this planted the seeds of Stephanie and Sally's friendship.

 HOLLYWOOD —The Chicago born actress Darlene Conley had a spirit and a style similar to Mae West, which made her character Sally Spectra on CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” one of the most beloved characters in television history. Darlene was discovered by Broadway impresario Jed Harris at age 15.

Bill Bell, Sr. created the role for Darlene on his new drama because he’d worked with her previously on his show “The Young and the Restless” as Rose DeVille. Rose was unlike Sally Spectra, she was a mean, baby stealing Madame who made lots of trouble for Nikki Reed, Nina Webster and so many others. Fans however loved Conley’s over the top style of acting and Bill Bell, Sr. and Bradley Bell gave Sally lots of her best work and the young Mr. Bell kept Darlene on contract until the day she died. Always knowing she needed a little hope while battling terminal cancer.

Bradley P. Bell is the executive producer and head writer of “B&B” and was loyal to Sally and Darlene to the end. On Thursday’s Christmas Eve episode, a “B&B” spokesman says, “Stephanie reflects upon her Christmas’ past, including her dear friend Sally Spectra.” Susan Flannery who plays Queen Stephanie Forrester was a longtime friend of Darlene’s and enjoyed working with her. The two ladies had madcap storylines where Stephanie beat Sally with a shoe, she threw her in a pool of water a few times and she and Sally were drunk once and Sally cut all of Stephanie’s hair off.

   

While producers and writers of soaps don’t often get credit for the good they do, only having the soap editors at a certain magazine bashing them for storylines they don’t like or actors the execs hire, Bradley P. Bell deserves credit and appreciation for paying such homage and respect not only to a character he enjoyed writing for, but to an actress who held him in such high esteem and held his distinguished family in the same.

Thank you, Brad. Sally and Darlene’s fans, this is a week you cannot miss. Not only is this episode excellently written and acted, but the rest of the week will blow you away, make you laugh, cry and realize why “B&B” is the most watched show on the planet.

Her first film appearance was in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, The Birds. This was the start where she was offered many movie roles and became popular actress. She also joined several primetime TV shows like “The Fighter”, “Return Engagement”, “Murder”, “The Cosby show “, and many more.

Darlene Conley, a seasoned actress has received an Emmy Award as an “Outstanding Supporting Actress” for her best performance in the Drama Series titled “The bold and the Beautiful”. Her first daytime role and played the character of Rose Deville in “The young and the Restless” was offered to her in 1979. She appeared in many soap operas in CBS from 1980 to 1987 where she also performed minor roles in
She suffered a stomach cancer and 72 she died on the 14^th of January, 2007. She was well remembered by her co-actresses as witty and talented who also made great contributions in the entertainment world. She is one of the actresses in the US who is admired by many of her followers.

I Miss My Sally!!!