Hubbry Logo
Kate JacksonKate JacksonMain
Open search
Kate Jackson
Community hub
Kate Jackson
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Kate Jackson
Kate Jackson
Kate Jackson
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Lucy Kate Jackson (born October 29, 1948)[1] is an American actress and television producer, known for her television roles as Sabrina Duncan in the series Charlie's Angels (1976–1979) and Amanda King in the series Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983–1987). Her film roles include Making Love (1982) and Loverboy (1989). She is a three-time Emmy Award nominee and four-time Golden Globe Award nominee, and Photoplay award winner for Favorite TV Actress in 1978.[2]

Key Information

Jackson began her career in the late 1960s in summer stock, before landing major television roles in Dark Shadows (1970–1971), Bonanza (1972), and The Rookies (1972–1976). She also appeared in the film Night of Dark Shadows (1971). The huge success of her role as Sabrina Duncan on Charlie's Angels saw her appear on the front cover of Time magazine, alongside co-stars Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith, while her role as Mrs. King won her Germany's Bravo Golden Otto Award for Best Female TV Star three times (1986–1988). She then continued to star in numerous television films, including Quiet Killer (1992), Empty Cradle (1993) and Satan's School for Girls (2000), a remake of the 1973 TV film of the same name in which she also starred.

Early life

[edit]

Kate Jackson was born in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Ruth (née Shepherd) and Hogan Jackson, a business executive.[3] She attended The Brooke Hill School for Girls while residing in Mountain Brook. Jackson went on to enroll at the University of Mississippi as a history major where she was a member of the Delta Rho chapter of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.[4] Halfway through her sophomore year, she transferred to Birmingham–Southern College, a liberal arts college, taking classes in speech and history of the theatre. At the end of the academic year, Jackson became an apprentice at the Stowe Playhouse in Stowe, Vermont, and then moved to New York City to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.[5]

Career

[edit]

Initially, Jackson worked as an NBC page and tour guide at the network's Rockefeller Center before landing a role as the mysterious, silent ghost Daphne Harridge on the 1960s supernatural daytime soap opera Dark Shadows. In 1971, Jackson had a starring role as Tracy Collins in Night of Dark Shadows, the second feature film based on the daytime serial. This film was more loosely based on the series than the first feature film House of Dark Shadows from the previous year, and it did not fare as well at the box office.[6] The same year, she appeared in two episodes of the short-lived sitcom The Jimmy Stewart Show.

Jackson then appeared as nurse Jill Danko for four seasons on the 1970s crime drama The Rookies. A supporting cast member, Jackson filled her free time by studying directing and editing.[7] She also appeared in several TV films during this period. Jackson's performance was well received in the 1972 independent film Limbo, one of the first theatrical films to address the Vietnam War and the wives of soldiers who were POWs, MIA or killed in action.[8] She also appeared in Death Scream,[9] a 1975 television dramatization of the circumstances surrounding the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese.

Cast photo of The Rookies. Clockwise from the top: Georg Stanford Brown (Terry Webster), Kate Jackson (Jill Danko), Gerald S. O'Loughlin (Eddie Ryker), Bruce Fairbairn (Chris Owens) and Sam Melville (Mike Danko) in 1975

In 1975, Jackson met with Rookies producers Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg to discuss her contractual obligation to star in another television series for Spelling-Goldberg Productions upon that show's cancellation. Goldberg told her of a series that was available—because "every network has passed on it," The Alley Cats. Spelling said that when he told Jackson the title of the series had to be changed and asked her what she would like to call it, she replied "Charlie's Angels," pointing to a picture of three female angels on the wall behind Spelling.[10] Jackson was originally cast as Kelly Garrett (which ultimately went to her co-star Jaclyn Smith), but decided upon Sabrina Duncan instead.[11] The huge success of the show saw Jackson, Smith and Farrah Fawcett-Majors (who played Jill Munroe) appear on the front cover of Time magazine.[12] The show aired as a television film on March 21, 1976, before debuting as a series on September 22, 1976. Because Jackson was considered the star of Charlie's Angels following her experience and four years on The Rookies, her original role of Kelly Garrett was featured prominently in the pilot film.[11]

Jackson hosted the thirteenth episode of season four of Saturday Night Live which aired in February 1979. During her monologue, she referred to being an NBC page ten years earlier where she led tours of the studio.[11] At the beginning of the third season of Charlie's Angels, Jackson was offered the Meryl Streep role of Joanna Stern Kramer in the feature film Kramer vs. Kramer (1979),[13] but was forced to turn it down because Spelling told her that the show's shooting schedule could not be rearranged to give her time to do the film.[14] At the end of the third season, Jackson left the show saying, "I served it well and it served me well, now it's time to go."[15] Spelling cast Shelley Hack as her replacement Tiffany Welles (Hack was replaced by Tanya Roberts for the fifth and final season).

Charlie's Angels publicity photo (L-R): Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett and Kate Jackson in 1976

Jackson starred alongside Harry Hamlin and her Rookies co-star Michael Ontkean in the feature film Making Love (1982), directed by Arthur Hiller. It was a film some considered to be ahead of its time, and attempted to deal sensitively with the topic of homosexuality. However, it received tepid reviews and did poorly at the box office.[16]

In 1983, Jackson had a starring role in Scarecrow and Mrs. King, a one-hour action drama in which she played housewife Amanda King opposite Bruce Boxleitner's spy Lee Stetson, code-named "Scarecrow." Jackson also co-produced the series with Warner Brothers Television through her production company, Shoot the Moon Enterprises. During this time she developed an interest in directing. Scarecrow and Mrs. King aired for four seasons from 1983 to 1987.[17]

During filming of the show's fourth season, in January 1987, Jackson had a mammogram for the first time, which found a small malignant tumor. Her series' producer—the only person she told about the diagnosis—rescheduled her work on the show. She checked in to a hospital under an alias to have a lumpectomy. Jackson returned to the series a week later, working with the aid of painkillers through five weeks of radiation treatments.[18]

After undergoing breast cancer treatment,[18] Jackson followed up on Scarecrow and Mrs. King by taking on the main role in Baby Boom, a 1988 TV sitcom version of a 1987 film of the same name. The series lasted less than one season, canceled with episodes left unaired.[19]

In 1989, Jackson starred in the film Loverboy, directed by Joan Micklin Silver.[20]

In September 1989, another mammogram indicated residual breast cancer that the previous operation had missed. Jackson had a partial mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Jackson's Charlie's Angels colleague Jaclyn Smith made statements indicating her support of Jackson.[18]

In 1995, Jackson was diagnosed as having been born with an atrial septal defect that had previously gone undetected. Jackson underwent open-heart surgery to correct the defect.[21]

Jackson spoke publicly about breast cancer and heart health and received the Power of Love Award in 2003 from the American Heart Association for raising awareness among the public regarding those issues.[22]

In 2004, the television film Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Charlie's Angels aired, with actress Lauren Stamile portraying Jackson.[23] In August 2006, Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith, the three original Angels, made a surprise appearance together at the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards in a tribute to the recently deceased Angels creator Aaron Spelling.[24]

In 2007, Jackson played Elizabeth Prentiss, the mother of FBI agent Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) on Criminal Minds, her last acting role to date. In August 2008, she was a guest judge on an episode of Jaclyn Smith's Bravo reality series Shear Genius, presiding over a hairdressing competition to update the original Charlie's Angels trio's signature hairdos.[25]

On August 3, 2010, Gallery Books announced a contract with Jackson to publish her memoirs.[26] The book, expected in 2011, has been repeatedly delayed, with the last update reporting a scheduled release for two days before 2021.[27]

She has not appeared in film or television since 2009.

Personal life

[edit]

Jackson lived with actor Edward Albert in the mid-1970s.[28] She was then linked romantically to actors Nick Nolte and Warren Beatty.[28] After a six-month courtship, Jackson married actor Andrew Stevens (the son of actress Stella Stevens) in August 1978. The couple divorced in 1981. After her divorce from Stevens, Jackson said, "I felt as if my ex-husband drove up to my bank account with a Brink's truck." Jackson was then linked with actor Gary Pendergast and screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz. She married New York businessman David Greenwald in 1982, and they formed Shoot The Moon Productions together, the company that produced Jackson's series Scarecrow and Mrs. King.[29] The couple divorced in 1984.[29]

After the divorce, Jackson was frequently seen with dermatologist Arnold Klein. While recovering from her second bout with breast cancer and on vacation in Aspen, Colorado, in 1989, Jackson met Tom Hart, the owner of a Utah ski lodge, and the pair married in 1991. The couple lived both in Los Angeles and Park City, Utah. Jackson and Hart divorced in 1993. In 1995, Jackson adopted a son.[30]

In May 2010, Jackson sued her financial advisor, Richard B. Francis, claiming his actions cost her more than $3 million ($4.3 million today) and brought her to financial ruin. The parties reached an undisclosed settlement in December 2010.[31]

In August 2023, after many years out of the public eye, Jackson appeared as a guest at a wedding hosted by Jaclyn Smith for Smith's son Gaston in Los Angeles.[32]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1971 Night of Dark Shadows Tracy Collins
1972 Limbo Sandy Lawton
1977 Thunder and Lightning Nancy Sue Hunnicutt
1981 Dirty Tricks Karen Polly Bishop
1982 Making Love Claire Elliot
1989 Loverboy Diane Bodek
1999 Error in Judgment Shelley
2004 Larceny Mom
No Regrets Suzanne Kennerly

Television films

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1972 The New Healers Nurse Michelle Johnson
Movin' On Cory
1973 Satan's School for Girls Roberta Lockhart
1974 Killer Bees Victoria Wells
Death Cruise Mary Frances Radney
1975 Death Scream Carol
1976 Death at Love House Donna Gregory
1979 Topper Marion Kerby
1981 Inmates: A Love Story Jane Mount
Thin Ice Linda Rivers
1983 Listen to Your Heart Frannie Greene
1990 The Stranger Within Mare Blackburn
1992 Quiet Killer Dr. Nora Hart
Homewrecker Lucy Voice
1993 Adrift Katie Nast
Empty Cradle Rita Donohue
1994 Armed and Innocent Patsy Holland
Justice in a Small Town Sandra Clayton
1995 The Silence of Adultery Dr. Rachel Lindsey
1996 The Cold Heart of a Killer Jessie Arnold
A Kidnapping in the Family DeDe Cooper
Panic in the Skies! Laurie Ann Pickett
1997 What Happened to Bobby Earl? Rose Earl
1998 Sweet Deception Kit Gallagher
2000 Satan's School for Girls The Dean
2001 A Mother's Testimony Sharon Carlson
2003 Miracle Dogs Terri Logan
2006 A Daughter's Conviction Maureen Hansen

Television series

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1970–1971 Dark Shadows Daphne Harridge / Daphne Harridge Collins (PT) Main role; 71 episodes
1971 The Jimmy Stewart Show Janice Morton 2 episodes
1972 Bonanza Ellen Episode: "One Ace Too Many"
1972–1976 The Rookies Jill Danko 92 episodes
1976–1979 Charlie's Angels Sabrina Duncan Main role ; 73 episodes
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama
Nominated - Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1977 James at 15 Robin Episode: "Pilot"
Nominated - Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
The San Pedro Beach Bums Herself Episode: "Angels and the Bums"
1979 Saturday Night Live Herself (guest host) Episode: "Kate Jackson/Delbert McClinton"
1983–1987 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Amanda King Main role
Nominated - Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama
1988–1989 Baby Boom J.C. Wiatt 13 episodes
1992 The Boys of Twilight Miss Dutton Episode: "Pilot"
1993 Arly Hanks Arly Hanks Unsold TV pilot
1997 Ally McBeal Barbara Cooker Episode: "The Kiss"
Dead Man's Gun Katherine Morrison Episode: "Death Warrant"
1999 Twice in a Lifetime Julie Smith / Mildred Episode: "Double Exposure"
Batman Beyond Bombshell Voice, episode: "Mind Games"
2000 Chicken Soup for the Soul Prof. Foley Episode: "Making the Grade"
2002 The Zeta Project Bombshell Voice, episode: "Ro's Gift"
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Candy Episode: "It's a Hot, Hot, Hot Hot Christmas"
2004 Third Watch Jan Martin 2 episodes
2006 Family Guy Amanda King Voice, episode: "Deep Throats"
American Dad! Herself Voice, episode: "Tears of a Clooney"
2007 Criminal Minds Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss Episode: "Honor Among Thieves"

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kate Jackson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lucy Kate Jackson (born October 29, 1948) is an American actress, director, and producer best known for her role as Sabrina Duncan, the intelligent and level-headed private detective, in the iconic television series Charlie's Angels from 1976 to 1979. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Jackson initially attended the University of Mississippi before transferring to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City to pursue acting. She began her career working as a page at NBC's Rockefeller Center Studios and landed her first major television role as Nurse Betty Crawford on the police drama The Rookies from 1972 to 1975. Following the success of Charlie's Angels, which made her a household name alongside co-stars Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith, Jackson starred as Amanda King in the spy comedy series Scarecrow and Mrs. King from 1983 to 1987, a show she co-produced through her company Shoot the Moon Productions. Her film credits include supporting roles in (1982), a groundbreaking drama addressing , and (1989), a . Jackson received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead in a Series for her work on (1977 and 1978), as well as a nomination for Outstanding Lead for a Single Appearance in a or Series (1978) for , and four Golden Globe nominations in the Best – Television Series category for (1977, 1978, 1979) and (1985). She also earned international recognition, including a TP de Oro in for Best Foreign for (1980). In her personal life, Jackson has been married three times: to actor from 1978 to 1981, businessman David Greenwald from 1982 to 1984, and interior designer Tom Hart from 1991 to 1993. She adopted a son, Charles Taylor Jackson, in 1995. A survivor since her diagnosis in 1987, during which she continued working on , Jackson has become an advocate for cancer screenings and awareness, serving as a spokeswoman for the after undergoing open-heart surgery in 1995.

Early life

Birth and family background

Lucy Kate Jackson was born on October 29, 1948, in . She was the daughter of Hogan Jackson, president of a building-supply company, and Ruth (née Shepherd) Jackson, a . The family resided in the affluent suburb of Mountain Brook, where Jackson grew up in a Southern household alongside one sibling, her sister Jenny. Jackson's upbringing instilled a strong sense of Southern roots, with her family's support fostering her early interest in performance; she began modeling at age 16 while still in high school. This period laid the groundwork for her entertainment pursuits, though formal training came later. In her late teens, she briefly attended the before leaving to study acting in .

Education and early career aspirations

After graduating from The Brooke Hill School for Girls in Mountain Brook in 1966, Kate Jackson enrolled at the as a history major. She attended for one year, from 1966 to 1967, but decided to pursue her growing interest in acting, prompting her to transfer schools. During her sophomore year, she briefly attended , where she continued studies in history and theater-related subjects, ultimately earning a bachelor's degree in history in 1968. Determined to build a career in the , Jackson moved to in the fall of 1968 and enrolled at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, completing the two-year program and graduating in 1970. To support herself financially during this period, she took on modeling work in the city, which provided a steady income while she honed her skills in acting classes. Jackson's early aspirations manifested in her initial forays into theater, beginning with a summer in 1968 at the Stowe Playhouse in , a regional venue where she gained practical experience in productions. This hands-on training was complemented by performances in and regional theater settings in the late , allowing her to refine her craft before transitioning to television opportunities. Her Southern upbringing, marked by a supportive yet disciplined environment, further fueled her resolve to break into the competitive acting world.

Career

Early acting roles

Kate Jackson made her professional acting debut in 1970 on the gothic Dark Shadows, where she portrayed Daphne Harridge, the ghost of a Victorian-era , in a recurring role that spanned the show's final season. This opportunity came shortly after her graduation from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and marked her transition from stage work to television visibility. Following her stint on Dark Shadows, Jackson relocated to Los Angeles in 1971 and secured guest spots on several popular series, including The Jimmy Stewart Show, where she appeared as a student in episodes that highlighted her emerging poise and charm. She also featured in an episode of Bonanza, further building her television resume through these supporting roles in family-oriented Western and drama formats. In 1973, Jackson took on a notable part in the made-for-television Satan's School for Girls, playing Roberta Lockhart, a student entangled in a sinister plot at a secretive academy, which showcased her ability to blend vulnerability with intrigue in the burgeoning TV movie genre. This project, produced by , served as an early showcase for her dramatic range and helped position her for more substantial series opportunities. Jackson's first major series role came in 1972 with , an ABC police drama, where she portrayed Nurse Jill Danko, the supportive wife of rookie officer Mike Danko, across four seasons until 1976. Her performance as the compassionate medical professional added emotional depth to the ensemble, earning critical acclaim for humanizing the high-stakes world of and solidifying her presence in prime-time television.

Breakthrough with Charlie's Angels

Kate Jackson landed her breakthrough role as Sabrina Duncan, the intelligent and resourceful leader of a trio of female private investigators, in the ABC series , which ran from 1976 to 1979 across three seasons. She appeared in all 66 episodes during her tenure, portraying the character originally conceived as the central detective figure, leveraging her established television presence from . The show's premise centered on three women—recruited by the enigmatic Charles Townsend and coordinated by his assistant John Bosley—who tackled high-stakes cases for the Townsend Agency, receiving instructions from their unseen boss via speakerphone. The ensemble dynamic highlighted the complementary strengths of its stars: Jackson's Sabrina as the strategic thinker, Farrah Fawcett's athletic Jill Munroe, and Jaclyn Smith's poised Kelly Garrett, forming a groundbreaking team of empowered women in a male-dominated field that blended action, glamour, and lighthearted adventure. This format propelled to massive popularity, becoming a cultural phenomenon that redefined female-led television and boosted Jackson's visibility as a leading actress. Jackson left the series after the third season in 1979, citing creative differences with producers and the exhausting production schedule that left her seeking new pilot opportunities to regain control over her career. Her portrayal of Sabrina earned critical acclaim, including Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Series in 1977 and 1978, as well as Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama in those same years. The role catapulted Jackson to immediate stardom, culminating in a win for Favorite Female TV Performer at the 1978 Photoplay Awards and establishing her as one of the defining television icons of the .

Mid-career television and film

Following her success on , which elevated her profile as a leading television actress, Kate Jackson returned to series television in with the lead role of Amanda King in the spy comedy-drama , opposite as undercover agent Lee Stetson. The series, which aired on for four seasons and comprised 86 episodes, followed the unlikely partnership between the widowed housewife Amanda and the spy codenamed , blending espionage with lighthearted domestic elements. Jackson's portrayal earned her Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1985, highlighting her ability to anchor a show with charm and resilience. In film, Jackson took on more dramatic roles during the decade, notably as Claire Elliot in the 1982 romantic drama , directed by , where she played a successful television executive grappling with her husband's as and his affair with another man. The film, which also starred and , marked a departure from her action-oriented television work and received attention for its sensitive handling of themes around sexuality and marriage. She later appeared in the 1989 romantic comedy , directed by , as Diane Bodek, the mother of college student Randy (), who becomes an inadvertent gigolo through his job. The ensemble cast, including and , contributed to the film's light, farcical tone centered on youthful escapades and suburban awkwardness. Jackson continued in television through made-for-TV movies in the early 1990s, focusing on thriller genres. In Quiet Killer (1992), directed by Sheldon Larry, she portrayed Dr. Heidi Martin, an epidemiologist racing to contain a outbreak in after a teenage girl unwittingly brings the disease from abroad. The film, inspired by historical pandemics like the , emphasized urgency and urban panic. That same year, she starred in Homewrecker, directed by Fred Walton, as Linda Wilcox, a woman targeted by a jealous, sentient system designed by her husband's colleague, blending sci-fi horror with domestic suspense. In this role, Jackson also provided the voice for the computer's eerie persona, Lucy, adding a layer of vocal menace to the thriller. Throughout the 1980s, Jackson made occasional guest appearances on popular series, including episodes of The Love Boat, where she leveraged her established star power for cameo roles amid the show's anthology-style cruises. These spots, alongside her voice work in projects like Homewrecker, underscored her versatility in sustaining a mid-career presence across television formats without dominating the small screen.

Later projects and directing

Following her extensive television work in the 1980s and 1990s, Kate Jackson's on-screen appearances became increasingly sparse in the 2000s, reflecting a gradual shift toward semi-retirement influenced by ongoing health challenges. She took on a handful of television movie roles, including Beth Hammersmith in the remake of Satan's School for Girls (2000), portraying Terri Logan in the family drama Miracle Dogs (2003), where she played a woman whose life is transformed by a litter of orphaned puppies. Other credits included Suzanne Kennerly in the romantic drama No Regrets (2004) and Maureen Hansen in the Lifetime thriller A Daughter's Conviction (2006), marking some of her final leading performances in made-for-TV films. Jackson's last acting role to date came as a guest star in the series , appearing as Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss in the season 2 episode "Honor Among Thieves," which aired on April 11, 2007. In this installment, her character aids the FBI's in a case involving . This appearance underscored her selective approach to projects in her later career, prioritizing roles that aligned with her established dramatic strengths. Transitioning behind the camera, Jackson directed the episode "The Womanizer" in Showtime's anthology Western series in 1999, a milestone noted as a significant step in expanding her creative involvement in television production. The episode, part of the show's second season, featured a story of deception and revenge in , directed by Jackson with a focus on character-driven tension. Earlier, she had directed episodes of her own series in the mid-1980s, but the project represented a renewed commitment to directing amid her winding down of acting commitments. In addition to directing, Jackson maintained production credits on several television movies during this period, including executive producing the thriller The Cold Heart of a Killer (1994), where she also starred as a uncovering corruption. She was involved in developing pilots and other projects, though details on later developments remain limited. Her production work emphasized empowering female-led stories, consistent with her earlier career themes. In 2010, Jackson announced plans for a through Gallery Books, an imprint of , intended to reflect on her acting career, survival, and experiences, with an initial publication slated for 2011. However, the project faced repeated delays and has not been released as of 2025.

Personal life and later years

Marriages and relationships

Kate Jackson was married three times, each union ending in divorce. Her first marriage was to actor , whom she met while filming the final season of . The couple wed on August 23, 1978, in a private ceremony at a home, following a six-month . Their relationship, marked by an age difference of six years, dissolved in 1981 amid financial disputes; Jackson later reflected that the divorce left her feeling as though Stevens had "drove up to my bank account with a truck," highlighting the strain on her career-earned assets. In 1982, Jackson married New York businessman David Greenwald in a private ceremony at her Beverly Hills home on May 1. The two had dated for eight months prior and collaborated professionally, forming a together during their union. Their marriage lasted two years, ending in in 1984, with little public detail released about the reasons for the split. Jackson's third marriage was to Tom Hart, a ski lodge owner she met while vacationing in the state around 1989. They wed on September 29, 1991, in , but divorced two years later in 1993. The union was her shortest, and both parties maintained privacy regarding the dissolution. Beyond her marriages, Jackson had several notable romantic partnerships in the 1970s and 1980s. She was briefly engaged to actor in the early 1970s, though the relationship ended without marriage. She also dated actors in 1977 and , as well as producer in 1973, during the height of her fame. These relationships occasionally influenced her scheduling around film and television commitments but remained largely out of the public eye.

Family and adoption

After her three previous marriages did not result in children, Kate Jackson pursued to fulfill her long-held desire to become a . In 1995, at the age of 47, she adopted her newborn son, Charles Taylor Jackson, describing the process as "the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me" and her greatest joy. The decision was influenced by her friend , who had recently adopted and connected Jackson with the appropriate agency to facilitate single parenthood. Following the in September 1995, Jackson prioritized a private family life, relocating with her son to a 125-acre in Keswick, Virginia, to escape the Hollywood spotlight. She raised Charles away from public attention, emphasizing her protective stance on their privacy and limiting mentions of her family in interviews or media appearances.

Health challenges

In January 1987, at the age of 38, Kate Jackson was diagnosed with while starring in the television series . The tumor, described by Jackson as microscopic rather than a palpable lump, was detected via mammogram, leading to a four days later to remove it, followed by five weeks of ; she did not require . By 1988, she had recovered sufficiently to return to work, starring in the short-lived sitcom . In September 1989, a follow-up mammogram revealed residual microscopic cancerous cell clusters in the same breast that had been missed earlier, prompting a second diagnosis. Jackson underwent a modified mastectomy along with immediate reconstructive plastic surgery, after which her lymph nodes were found to be clear, providing a positive prognosis. These cancer battles influenced Jackson to take extended breaks from to focus on recovery. In 1995, unrelated to her prior health issues, she underwent open-heart surgery to repair a congenital —a hole between the heart's upper chambers—that had gone undetected since birth. Following her 1989 treatment, Jackson began early involvement in , speaking publicly about the importance of early detection and mammograms to encourage other women.

Recent public appearances and activities

Since semi-retiring from in the mid-2000s, Kate Jackson has maintained a low-profile life on her farm in Keswick, , with her adopted son, Charles Taylor Jackson. In a rare public outing, Jackson appeared at the Hollywood Show convention in , on June 7, 2025, where she reunited onstage with her co-stars, including , , Paul Stout, and , for the first cast panel in over 38 years. The emotional event drew enthusiastic fan applause, and during the discussion, Jackson teased a potential revival of the series, envisioning a storyline where her character, Amanda King, and Boxleitner's Lee Stetson, now grandparents, return to from retirement on a tropical island. Jackson is scheduled for upcoming fan conventions, including Steel City Con in , , from December 5 to 7, 2025, and Fanboy Expo Knoxville in , from July 10 to 12, 2026. She remains active in breast cancer advocacy, supporting research foundations and raising awareness about early detection and women's health, drawing from her own experiences with the disease in the late 1980s. No major health challenges have been reported since the , and in 2025 appearances, she presented as healthy and vibrant. A memoir announced in 2010, intended to cover her career and personal triumphs including her cancer survival and adoption, remains unpublished as of 2025.

Filmography

Feature films

Kate Jackson's feature film career was relatively sparse compared to her extensive television work, with six theatrical releases spanning from 1971 to 1989, where her roles often highlighted her versatility in horror, comedy, and drama genres. Her debut came in the supernatural horror film (1971), directed by , in which she played Tracy Collins, the wife of a man haunted by ghostly apparitions in a cursed family mansion. The film, a loose spin-off from the TV series, marked Jackson's transition from supporting roles to the big screen. She followed with a supporting role as Sandy Lawton in the drama (1972), directed by Mark Robson, portraying one of three women coping with their husbands during the . In Thunder and Lightning (1977), an action directed by , Jackson played Nancy Sue Hunnicutt, the love interest of a moonshiner () uncovering illegal activities tied to her family. In Dirty Tricks (1980), a Canadian-American directed by , Jackson portrayed Polly Bishop, a character entangled in a web of academic intrigue and mistaken identities at alongside . The lighthearted explored themes of deception and romance, providing Jackson an opportunity to showcase comedic timing post her fame. Jackson took on a more dramatic supporting role as Claire Elliott in Making Love (1982), directed by , where she depicted the devoted wife grappling with her husband's revelation of his and subsequent affair. The film, one of the first major Hollywood productions to address gay themes openly, received attention for its emotional depth and Jackson's nuanced performance. Her final feature film appearance was in the romantic comedy (1989), directed by , in which she played Diane Bodek, a professor's wife who hires a young college student () as a and develops a romantic interest. The film blended humor and sensuality, allowing Jackson to play a glamorous, liberated character in her mid-40s.

Television roles

Kate Jackson's television career began in the early 1970s with recurring roles in soap operas and police dramas, establishing her as a versatile actress capable of handling both supernatural and grounded narratives. Her breakthrough came with the gothic series (1970–1971), where she portrayed the ghostly governess Harridge and her alter ego Collins, appearing in 72 episodes as a key figure in the show's parallel time storyline involving hauntings and family curses. Following this, she joined the ensemble of the ABC crime drama (1972–1976), playing nurse Jill Danko, the wife of rookie officer , across 92 episodes, which highlighted her ability to convey emotional depth in high-stakes procedural settings. Jackson's most iconic television role arrived with (1976–1979), where she starred as the intelligent and level-headed detective Sabrina Duncan for the first three seasons, contributing to 68 episodes that blended action, glamour, and lighthearted mystery-solving as part of the trio of private investigators. In the 1980s, Jackson continued her streak of leading roles in popular series, including the short-lived sitcom (1988–1989), based on the 1987 film, where she played high-powered executive J.C. Wiatt navigating single motherhood, appearing in all 13 episodes. Her longest-running success of the decade was (1983–1987), in which she starred as housewife-turned-spy Amanda King, partnering with a secret agent in a mix of and romance; she appeared in 86 episodes and also served as a producer on the series through her company, Enterprises. Jackson frequently starred in made-for-television movies throughout her career, often in suspenseful or dramatic thrillers that showcased her as a strong, resourceful protagonist. In the 1970s, notable roles included Roberta Lockhart, a student uncovering a satanic cult, in Satan's School for Girls (1973); Carla Patron in the horror thriller Killer Bees (1974); Gail in the mystery Death Cruise (1974); Donna Gregory, an aspiring writer investigating a haunted mansion, in Death at Love House (1976); and Nurse Michelle Johnson in the medical drama The New Healers (1977). The 1980s saw her in whimsical and intense vehicles like Marion Kerby, a ghostly socialite, in the fantasy comedy Topper (1979); Jane Mount, a prison counselor, in Inmates: A Love Story (1981); Linda Rivers, a figure skater entangled in scandal, in Thin Ice (1981); and Frannie Greene, a radio host aiding a deaf woman, in Listen to Your Heart (1983). The 1990s marked a prolific period for Jackson in TV movies, often portraying mothers or professionals facing crises. Key examples include Mare Blackburn in the psychological thriller The Stranger Within (1990); Dr. Nora Hart in Quiet Killer (1992); Lucy in Homewrecker (1992); Katie Nast in Adrift (1993), a seafaring survival story; Rita Donohue in Empty Cradle (1993); Patsy Holland in Armed and Innocent (1994); Sandra Clayton in Hard Evidence (1994); Dr. Rachel Lindsey in The Silence of Adultery (1995); Laurie Ann Pickett in Panic in the Skies! (1996); DeDe Cooper in A Kidnapping in the Family (1996); Jessie Arnold in The Cold Heart of a Killer (1996), which she also executive produced; Rose Earl in What Happened to Bobby Earl? (1997); Shelley in Error in Judgment (1998); and Kit Gallagher in Sweet Deception (1998). Into the 2000s, Jackson's TV movie output tapered but included authoritative roles such as The Dean in the remake Satan's School for Girls (2000); Sharon Carlson in A Mother's Testimony (2001); Terri Logan in the family adventure Miracle Dogs (2003); Suzanne Kennerly in No Regrets (2004); and Maureen Hansen in A Daughter's Conviction (2006). Beyond her series and TV movies, Jackson made select guest appearances, often in dramatic or comedic contexts. Early examples include Robin in an episode of the teen drama James at 15 (1977). In later years, she voiced a character in American Dad! (2006) and played Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss in Criminal Minds (2007). Other notable guests were in Ally McBeal (1997) as a client in "The Kiss" episode and Sabrina the Teenage Witch (2002) in "It's a Hot Hot Hot Hot Christmas."

References

  1. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/105747-kate-jackson
  2. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kate-jackson/bio/3000386727/
  3. https://www.emmys.com/bios/kate-jackson
  4. https://goldenglobes.com/person/kate-jackson/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000462/awards/
  6. https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/what-happened-to-charlies-angels-star-kate-jackson/
  7. https://variety.com/1996/voices/columns/o-donnell-expedites-adoption-for-friend-1117862934/
  8. https://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/kate-jackson/
  9. https://alabamanewscenter.com/2018/10/29/day-alabama-history-actress-kate-jackson-born-birmingham/
  10. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/kate-jackson/
  11. https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Kate_Jackson
  12. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/kate-jackson-46522.php
  13. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000462/bio/
  14. https://www.al.com/strange-alabama/2012/05/dark_shadows_series_gave_birmi.html
  15. https://www.tvinsider.com/1199740/kate-jackson-daphne-harridge-dark-shadows/
  16. https://tv.apple.com/us/person/kate-jackson/umc.cpc.1wc4tlzsbh1kx1w57z6nyqdzp
  17. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/satans_school_for_girls_1973
  18. https://culturalgutter.com/2021/07/29/satans-school-for-girls/
  19. https://fetv.tv/shows/the-rookies/
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073972/
  21. https://charliesangels.com/kate.html
  22. https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/classic-tv/rare-charlies-angels-behind-the-scenes-photos-from-the-70s-set
  23. https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/21387/kate-jackson-6-things-you-didnt-charlies-angels-scarecrow-mrs-king/
  24. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/kate-jackson-quit-charlie-angels-160000134.html
  25. https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/kate-jackson
  26. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000462/
  27. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/105747-kate-jackson?language=en-US
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084293/
  29. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/making_love
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097790/
  31. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1012861-loverboy
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105206/
  33. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/quiet_killer
  34. https://dennisschwartzreviews.com/homewrecker/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203088/
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0984436/
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556141/
  38. https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/jackson-gets-her-gun-1117481606/
  39. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kate-jackson-writes-a-memoir/
  40. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/3/smart-angel-kate-jackson-writing-memoir/
  41. https://news.amomama.com/286395-kate-jackson-lost-sense-self-marriage-yo.html
  42. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/style/1978/08/25/27a31b66-bbac-40aa-92bb-e15445c40e37/
  43. https://news.amomama.com/291841-kate-jackson-felt-if-1st-spouse-drove-up.html
  44. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/05/04/Former-Charlies-Angels-star-Kate-Jackson-has-married-New/5318389332800/
  45. https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/original-charlies-angels-cast-relationships-revealed
  46. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/did-charlie-angels-stars-marry-124527427.html
  47. https://www.onthisday.com/people/kate-jackson
  48. https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/kate-jackson
  49. https://www.deseret.com/1996/6/21/19249875/former-angel-adopts-new-role-motherhood/
  50. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1584551/kate-jackson-charlies-angels-breast-cancer-symptoms-diagnosis
  51. https://greensboro.com/cancer-altered-kate-jacksons-life---and-not-for-the-worse/article_5200457d-b56b-5417-99d9-664f1c3baca0.html
  52. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-05-ca-1346-story.html
  53. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/08/15/Actress-Kate-Jackson-undergoes-mastectony/7731619156800/
  54. https://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/809816/inspirational-celebrity-breast-cancer-survivors/
  55. https://mom.com/entertainment/4911-celebrity-mom-breast-cancer-survivors
  56. https://news.amomama.com/286819-kate-jackson-was-desperate-be-a-mother-s.html
  57. https://www.newsbreak.com/doyouremember--500253/4050651222382-original-charlie-s-angels-actress-kate-jackson-makes-rare-appearance
  58. https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/30976/kate-jackson-appearance-scarecrow-reunion-revival-charlies-angels-bruce-boxleitner/
  59. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/original-charlie-angels-star-kate-150027061.html
  60. https://www.steelcitycon.com/
  61. https://fanboyexpo.com/knoxville/celebrity-guests/
  62. https://parade.com/news/iconic-70s-bombshell-76-makes-rare-appearance-causing-fans-to-go-wild
  63. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067491/
  64. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068860/
  65. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076820/
  66. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080630/
  67. https://darkshadows.fandom.com/wiki/Kate_Jackson
  68. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073972/episodes/
  69. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094419/
  70. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070633/
  71. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/kate_jackson
  72. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kate-jackson/credits/3000386727/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.