Jill Jacobson, an actress who appeared in a number of prominent TV shows over a career spanning four decades, has died at the age of 70.
Jacobson passed away at Cedars-Sinai’s Culver West Health Center in Culver City, California on December 8, according to her friend Dan Harary who spoke to The Hollywood Reporter. Her death came after a prolonged struggle with health issues.
Jacobson’s notable roles included Erin Jones on 22 episodes of Falcon Crest from 1985–1987; Larue Wilson on eight episodes of The New Gidget from 1986–1987; and appearances on a pair of Star Trek shows in the 80s and 90s.
Jacobson’s credits in Gene Roddenberry’s legendary sci-fi series include parts on Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1989 as Vanessa; and on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1996 as Aroya.
Jacobson’s colleague Caryn Richman, who she worked with on the Gidget reboot, praised her late peer personally and professionally to THR.
‘Jill’s comic timing was brilliant nd her enthusiasm and love of life made our time together on set joyful,’ Richman said.
Jill Jacobson, an actress who appeared in a number of prominent TV shows over a career spanning four decades, has died at the age of 70. Jacobson pictured in the Hollywood & Highland Center on February 8, 2012 in LA
Jacobson played Erin Jones on 22 episodes of Falcon Crest from 1985–1987
Harary told THR, ‘She will be deeply missed by numerous relatives, friends and her beloved dogs, Benny and Kowalski.’
Jacobson was ‘beautiful, energetic, and positive to the end [and] will be deeply missed by numerous relatives, friends, and her beloved dogs Benny and Kowalski,’ her family told Deadline in a statement Sunday.Â
Jacobson had also been seen on TV shows such as Newhart, Murphy Brown, Hung, Who’s the Boss?, Quantum Leap, Sledge Hammer!, Crazy Like a Fox, Arli$ and My Sister Sam.
Jacobson’s movie career included stints in 1984 Ron Howard hit Splash, which costarred Tom Hanks; 1989’s The Jigsaw Murders and the 2020 comedy Reality Queen! that starred Denise Richards.
Jacobson, whose parents were Dr. Harry Jacobson and Carol Toplitz Jacobson Hornstein, split time in her childhood between the Texas cities of Beaumont and Dallas, according to THR.
She was a student at the University of Texas in Austin and graduated with a Radio, TV and Film degree prior to relocating to Los Angeles, where she debuted in the titular role on the 1977 horror film Nurse Sherri.
In addition to her acting ventures, Jacobson was also an accomplished stand-up comic, according to the outlet, as she was a regular at venues in Los Angeles such as The Comedy Store and The Improv.
Jacobson was also involved in philanthropic endeavors, as she had volunteered for the American Cancer Society, THR reported.
Jacobson was also involved in philanthropic endeavors, as she had volunteered for the American Cancer SocietyÂ
Jacobson pictured at A Week In London screening on October 3, 2016 in Hollywood, CaliforniaÂ
Jacobson appeared opposite Tony Danza on a 1990 episode of Who’s The Boss?
Jacobson on September 20 appeared on The Jim Masters Show on YouTube, revealing that she had dealt with esophageal cancer for nearly three years.
The illness ‘kind of took me out of the game for a while,’ Jacobson said on the show. providing details about the health crisis she endured.
‘What I went through was pretty intense – you can’t function, you just can’t function,’ Jacobson said.
Jacobson told Masters she was inspired to help others amid her gratitude.
‘Now I’m so grateful, I just want to keep going, I want to help people,’ she said. ‘It makes you want to help people.’
