Renowned actress Jill Jacobson, best known for her performances in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Falcon Crest,” passed away on December 8, 2024. She died at the Culver West Health Center of Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 70.
Jacobson’s death, following a prolonged illness, was confirmed by her friend and publicist, Daniel Harary. She disclosed her struggle with esophageal cancer in September, mentioning that she had been under treatment for “like two, two and a half years.” Harary spoke of Jacobson’s “resilience and humor” during her battle with the disease.
Jacobson’s manager, Ben Padua, described her as a “total spitfire of an actress with comedic timing straight out of a Marx Brothers’ flick and Hollywood glamor right from its golden age.”
Jacobson, a native of Beaumont, Texas, who later relocated to Dallas, had a B.S. degree in Radio, TV, and Film Performance from the University of Texas in Austin. She moved to Los Angeles to chase her acting dreams.
She exhibited a love for the stage early in her life, participating in regional theater productions in Texas before making her way into Hollywood. Jacobson’s career started with the 1977 horror film “Nurse Sherri,” where she displayed a compelling on-screen persona.
Between 1985 to 1987, Jacobson portrayed the manipulative private detective Erin Jones in 22 episodes of the CBS primetime soap “Falcon Crest.” She was also Larue Wilson on “The New Gidget “from 1986 to 1987, a sequel to the 1960s ABC sitcom. Caryn Richman, her co-star on the show, applauded her for her “comic timing” and “enthusiasm and love of life.”
Jacobson had roles in a variety of television shows throughout her career, such as “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Days of Our Lives,” “Castle,” “Hung,” “Who’s the Boss?,” “Quantum Leap,” “Arliss,” “Murphy Brown,” and “Newhart.”
In “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” she portrayed a Bajoran woman named Thiana, creating a lasting impression on fans of the franchise despite her brief role. Jacobson also had a small part in the 1984 film “Splash,” alongside Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah.
In her later life, Jacobson became a frequent performer at comedy clubs in Los Angeles, including The Improv and The Comedy Store. Her stand-up acts, which often reflected her journey in Hollywood, combined humor with touching stories.
Her final credited role was in the 2020 series “Etheria,” a platform for stories driven by women. She guest-starred in an episode that highlighted her inherent strength and charm.
Jacobson is survived by a host of relatives and friends, along with her cherished dogs, Benny and Kowalski.
