Jill Jacobson, a versatile actress whose television career spanned four decades, has passed away at the age of 70.
Jacobson, known for her roles in Star Trek, Falcon Crest, and The New Gidget, died on December 8 at Cedars-Sinai’s Culver West Health Centre after a long illness.
“We are deeply saddened to say goodbye to our beautiful, soulful, and hysterically funny client, Jill Jacobson,” her manager Ben Padula shared in a statement. “Jill was a fiery talent with comedic timing reminiscent of the Marx Brothers and the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age. She brought us on countless adventures and was an absolute joy to work with. Thank you, Jill—we’ll see you in our dreams.”
Caryn Richman, Jacobson’s co-star from The New Gidget, fondly recalled, “Jill’s comic timing was brilliant, and her enthusiasm and love of life made our time on set so joyful.”
Jacobson appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1989 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1996. In the 1980s, she portrayed private detective Erin Jones in 22 episodes of CBS’s Falcon Crest and starred as Larue Wilson in ABC’s The New Gidget.
Her extensive TV credits also included roles in Hung, Castle, Quantum Leap, Who’s the Boss?, Newhart, Arliss, and Murphy Brown. On the big screen, she had a brief appearance in Ron Howard’s 1984 film Splash.
Jacobson’s acting journey began with her debut in the horror film Nurse Sherri, where she played a nurse possessed by an evil spirit. Her early career also featured guest roles in shows like Harper Valley PTA, The Devlin Connection, and Crazy Like a Fox.
In addition to her acting, Jacobson was a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society, reflecting her commitment to advocacy and public service.
