Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Unsinkable Molly Brown has nothing on Jennifer O'Neill, a '70s-'80s movie star who has established another career with a new book, an album and movie. O'Neill lit up screens with starring roles in "Rio Lobo" with John Wayne, "Summer of '42," "Such Good Friends" and a score of other films. Advertisement But her movie stardom dwindled away in the '80s after a combination of personal problems and unfortunate career choices. The beautiful native of Rio de Janeiro was overwhelmed by self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. She has had eight husbands and is the mother of a daughter and two sons. She took stock of her jumbled life and lack of direction by writing a memoir titled "Surviving Myself," which became a best-seller. O'Neill, now 53, has completed a second book, "From Fallen to Forgiven," examining her life and an unshakable faith in her religion. She is a nondenominational Christian who believes she is guided by a higher power. Advertisement This week she said, "My first book was an account of myself and a lot of Hollywood stories about John Wayne, Anthony Quinn and Robert Duvall; traveling the world. "Basically, I wrote it because it's a story of a life that looked fantastic from the outside, like so many Hollywood lives appear to be. "I was modeling in Paris at 15, traveling and making a lot of money, yet I had a big hole in my life and unhappiness until I found my faith when I was 38. "During that time I bumped into life pretty hard, dealing with some tough issues like teen suicide (which she attempted when she was 14), which I'm able to talk about to thousands of kids in high schools and churches. "I address them about abortion, the sexual abuse of my daughter by her stepfather. "I was leading a life that was tortured inside, looking for love in all the wrong places; thinking that if I were married it would solve all my problems. "Remember the rallying points of the '70s, love the one you're with, free love and all of that. I was an oddity because I married. Advertisement "I sent Elizabeth Taylor a copy of my book, and we giggled. We never dated; we married. Always looking for what?" Today O'Neill has been married for almost five years to Mervin Louque, a music publisher. They make their home in Nashville where Louque's business flourishes. "He runs a music writers club, Music in the Round," she said. "It's a wonderful place for music writers to work. I just finished my first album, 'O'Neill and Company,' working with Mervin. "A lot of lyrics in my new album of love songs and inspirational songs I recorded after I finished the book. "I've been singing for years and even did a nightclub act. So the album will be out along with the new book." Despite her multidimensional new career, O'Neill is ecstatic about completing her new movie, "Time Changer," an independent film scheduled for release in July. She said, "Also I have a new two-hour movie, 'On Music Row,' which will be airing on the country music channel. "That's exciting because some of the movie was shot in my husband's songwriters club. It's about young songwriters coming to Nashville. I play their mentor." O'Neill's amazing resiliency reflects her boundless enthusiasm for work and love of performing. Advertisement "I'm really blessed," she said. "And I'm the grandmother of three. "I still have my horses in Nashville and compete in shows against 16-year-olds. I've never been more fit. I ride jumpers and have been breeding horses for about 30 years." She was nearly paralyzed for life at 15 when she was thrown by a horse, breaking her back and neck in three places. At 17 she checked herself into mental hospital for treatment of stress. "Now I'm dealing with this wonderful time in life they call menopause," she said. "It's wonderful to talk to women: It's not a disease, it's a change with new opportunities. "So I'm feeling good and healthy and optimistic. I've lived in New York and Los Angeles and living in Nashville is different. "It's very eclectic with a wide variety of positive aspects, yet it's still a very small town. It's a terrific place for families and children." Asked what motivates her to attain new goals along with an optimistic attitude toward her life and unassailable self-confidence, O'Neill grew pensive. "I attribute everything good in my life to God," she said. "I really do. When I was young, my work ethic and drive were a little frenetic. Advertisement "I wanted love and attention, which accounts for my many marriages. I thought each guy would fill my life and make me happy. "My tenacity saw me through life until I found my faith."
