Jill Jacobson, an actress recognized for her roles in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Falcon Crest,” died on December 8, 2024, at Cedars-Sinai’s Culver West Health Center in Los Angeles, California. She was 70.
Her friend and publicist, Daniel Harary, confirmed she passed away after a long illness. In September, Jacobson revealed her battle with esophageal cancer, stating, “It took like two, two and a half years of treatment.” Harary noted Jacobson’s “resilience and humor” in facing her illness.
Her manager, Ben Padua, celebrated her talent, saying she was a “total spitfire of an actress with comedic timing straight out of a Marx Brothers’ flick and Hollywood glamor right from its golden age.”
Born and raised in Beaumont, Texas and later Dallas, Jacobson earned a B.S. degree in Radio, TV, and Film Performance from the University of Texas in Austin before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
Her passion for performing was evident early on, as she participated in regional theater productions in Texas before breaking into Hollywood. Her career began with the 1977 horror film “Nurse Sherri,” where she stood out for her dynamic on-screen presence.
Jacobson played the scheming private detective Erin Jones in 22 episodes of the CBS primetime soap “Falcon Crest” from 1985 to 1987. She also portrayed Larue Wilson on “The New Gidget “from 1986 to 1987, a sequel to the 1960s ABC sitcom. Her co-star on the show, Caryn Richman, praised her “comic timing” and “enthusiasm and love of life.”
Throughout her career, Jacobson appeared in numerous television shows, including “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 played a Bajoran woman named Thiana, leaving a memorable mark on franchise fans despite her brief appearance. She also had a minor role in the 1984 film “Splash,” where she shared the screen with Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah.
In her later years, Jacobson became a regular performer at Los Angeles comedy clubs, including The Improv and The Comedy Store, delighting audiences with her sharp wit and self-deprecating humor. Her stand-up performances often reflected her Hollywood journey, blending humor with heartfelt anecdotes.
Her last credited role was in the 2020 series “Etheria,” a showcase of women-driven genre stories, where she played a guest role in an episode that celebrated her characteristic strength and charm.
Jacobson is survived by numerous relatives, friends, and her beloved dogs, Benny and Kowalski.
