Jaclyn Smith reveals unique living situation impacting her relationship

Jaclyn Smith has been married to her husband Brad Allen since 1997.

The Charlie's Angels star opened up on The Drew Barrymore Show on September 22 about the unique living situation that the pair had for 17 years.

Believe it or not, the duo lived separately for almost two decades and Jaclyn opened up about how it impacted their relationship.

Drew commented: "Please tell me about that because I think I could be with someone [in that setup]..."

Jaclyn interjected: "You could make a marriage work, right?"

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The actress added: "Well, you know, it's interesting, you say that because when he came in, there was no golf. I got full attention. We were not bored with each other. It was all new, fresh and you make it count, but there's more to it than that."

She admitted: "We made it work and he did most of the traveling. He was jet lagged half of his career – Houston and Chicago, and I couldn't leave because of the kids, so he did that. I did it right, finally, after a lot of times." 

Drew responded: "I know. I understand that, where you try traditional things. You try what you think you're supposed to do. You try working things out with people and you humbly acknowledge – both of you – that this isn't working. And it's really hard."

Jaclyn agreed: "It's hard and when there's kids, it's heartbreaking."

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Drew commented: "I hope that whatever it is that we experience, and endure in life, not only becomes our own wisdom at some point that we can resource from, but that we will be able to help each other."

Jaclyn confirmed: "Well that's what it's all about."

During a 92NY event in earlier September, the star also opened up about the duo living apart, explaining: "We lived apart for 17 years. And unlike the other marriages where I just said, 'Hey, I’m going for it,' we dated seven years before I said 'I do' — but it was a three-way decision. Gaston and Spencer Margaret were in on this one."

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The actress' two children whom she shared with her previous husband Tony Richmond, had the final say.

She continued: "So he had to win them over, and he did."

The two met when Jaclyn's dad went into the hospital for a heart condition at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, and Brad was the cardiothoracic surgeon helping him.

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Jaclyn recalled: "He operated on my dad, and I never thought in a million years that this would be the love of my life. So you never know, right? You never know when that person comes…He's probably out there somewhere."

She joked: "I looked at him, and he looked like all the guys I grew up with, very clean-cut and young, and he was going to operate on my dad, and I thought, 'He's too young.' But Daddy came out of that operation with flying colors."