Priscilla Presley Reveals She Never Watched Dallas Before Landing Iconic Role

The Audacious Lie That Launched a Career

Priscilla Presley revealed that her life-changing television role came on the heels of a little white lie. Elvis Presley's only wife shared details of the fib that landed her a role on the television series Dallas during an appearance at the 27th annual Old Bags Luncheon at the Breakers in Palm Beach. She told the crowd in attendance that she "lied" to secure the coveted role of Jenna Wade.

"I lied, to be honest with you. I never saw the show. I never saw Dallas," she revealed. "So I went in and did the interview, and they asked me, 'Have I seen the show?' And I went, 'Oh yes, it's wonderful." "It's really a good show. I love the cast.'" The confession highlights the bold risks actors sometimes take to break into Hollywood, especially when transitioning from one career to another.

Ultimately, she got the part. "We were kind of hanging out in the office and going back and forth. I don't know how I got it, but I got it," she said. Despite her inexperience with the show's complex storylines and established characters, Presley's natural charisma and determination convinced the casting directors to take a chance on her.

From Elvis's Shadow to Television Stardom

Presley would eventually win the coveted role, playing the character from 1983 through 1988. Her character's most significant storyline was her long love affair with Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy). The drama-filled primetime soap starred Larry Hagman, Ken Kercheval, Barbara Bel Geddes, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, Victoria Principal and Charlene Tilton, to name a few. The show ran for 14 seasons, from 1978 to 1991.

In a 2014 interview with Express, Presley revealed she always wanted to become an actress, but during her marriage to the King of Rock and Roll, she put those dreams on hold to be a full-time wife and mother. "Elvis had the same attitude that a lot of men had back then — a woman's place was in the home. I'd been on set for some of Elvis' movies and acting had always appealed to me, but the thought of standing up in front of a room full of people scared the hell out of me," she added.

No one really knew Priscilla as an actress when she joined the show. "It was so much fun, and really so much easier than I thought it was going to be because of all of you. You really received me so well and helped me out." The cast's welcoming attitude helped transform a nervous newcomer into a confident performer who would become integral to the show's success.

Beyond Dallas: A Flourishing Acting Legacy

While Dallas was her first major acting role, Presley continued to have a long Hollywood career. Following the series, Presley starred in the Naked Gun series of movies alongside Leslie Nielsen, followed by appearances in Tales from the Crypt (1993), Melrose Place (1997), and voice work for the animated series Agent Elvis (2023).

While Priscilla Presley appeared on "Dallas" for five years, she told a Twitter follower that her all-time favorite role was that of Leslie Nielsen's love interest, Jane Spencer, in "The Naked Gun" movies. She was nervous about auditioning for the part because she had no comedy experience, according to The Washington Post. However, the team behind the zany franchise — Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and David Zucker — wanted her to play the straight woman to Nielsen's incompetent detective character.

Presley's willingness to take risks and embrace new challenges transformed her from Elvis's former wife into a respected actress in her own right. Her Dallas deception became the foundation for a diverse career spanning drama, comedy, and beyond. Today, she continues to engage audiences through various projects while maintaining her role as chair of Elvis Presley Enterprises, proving that sometimes the biggest leaps of faith yield the most rewarding destinations.