Grace Jones  

Iconic fashion figure Grace Jones has found considerable success in every venue she attempts, namely modeling, singing, and acting.

Grace Mendoza, known popularly as Grace Jones, was born May 19, 1948 in Spanish Town, Jamaica. The date of her birth is disputed between the years of 1948 and 1952. Her parents were named Marjorie P and Robert, and her father was both a clergyman and politician.

In 1965, Jones and her family moved to Syracuse, New York where she eventually studied theater. By 1977, Jones was already well on her way to a successful singing career, securing a recording contract with Island Records. She subsequently enjoyed a number of hit singles that made it big in the club scene. Finding her niche in the disco theme, Jones released three albums in that genre entitled Portfolio, Fame, and Muse.

Initiating her life as a model, Jones is also noted for being a consistent inspiration to artist Andy Warhol. He photographed her on many occasions, and they were often seen accompanying one another to the infamous Studio 54.

She released several more albums which featured reworked singles by the likes of Sting, Tom Petty, Iggy Pop, The Pretenders, and many more. The release of these new albums came concurrently with a total physical makeover, adopting the androgynous look for which she is still known.

Providing a highlight to her musical career, Jones performed live with renowned opera singer Luciano Pavarotti on May 28, 2002.

In terms of acting, Jones made her onscreen debut in the Ossie Davis directorial project Gordon’s War. She followed with a small role in Deadly Vengeance in 1981.

But it was her role in 1984’s Conan the Destroyer for which she would be most remembered. Her costars included Arnold Schwarzenegger and Olivia d Abo.

Jones also had a memorable role in the 1985 Bond film A View to a Kill with Roger Moore, Christopher Walken, and Tanya Roberts. She also rubbed elbows with some of Hollywood’s finest in Boomerang starring Eddie Murphy, Halle Berry, Chris Rock, and Martin Lawrence.

Most recently, Jones took a role in No Place Like Home with PJ Soles in 2006. She is currently filming Falco- Verdammt, Wir Leben Noch!

Jones is also revered for her extensive modeling, being named to the 2006 Diesel runway show. She was even named at number nineteen on a list of “World’s Greatest Supermodels.”

In her personal life, she had a child with stylist Jean Paul Goude, although it remains unclear whether the two ever actually married. In 1996, approximately two decades later, she married Atila Altaunbay. They are still together, and they have no children. Confusing the issue, there are reports that she was actually engaged to Ivor Guest in August of 2006.