Actress Jill Jacobson of Falcon Crest and Star Trek fame dies at 70

Jill Jacobson, an actress who appeared in a string of prominent television shows over a career spanning four decades, has died at the age of 70.

Jacobson died at Cedars-Sinai’s Culver West Health Center in Culver City, Calif., on Dec. 8, her friend Dan Harary said. The Hollywood Reporterafter a long health battle.

Jacobson’s notable roles included Erin Jones in 22 episodes of Falcon Crest from 1985-1987; Larue Wilson on eight episodes of The New Gidget from 1986-1987; and appearances on a few 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 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1996 as Aroya.

Jacobson’s colleague Caryn Richman, with whom she worked on the Gidget reboot, praised her late peer personally and professionally to THR.

“Jill’s comedic timing was brilliant and her enthusiasm and love of life made our time together on set a joy,” said Richman.

Jill Jacobson, an actress who appeared in a string of prominent television shows over a career spanning four decades, has died aged 70. Pictured in October 2016 in LA. Jacobson pictured at the Hollywood & Highland Center on February 8, 2012 in LA

Jacobson was also involved in philanthropic endeavors as she had volunteered for the American Cancer Society

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 said. Deadline in a statement Sunday.

Jacobson had also been seen in television 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 film career included appearances in the 1984 Ron Howard hit Splash, which starred Tom Hanks; The Jigsaw Murders from 1989 and the 2020 comedy Reality Queen! starring Denise Richards.

Jacobson, whose parents were Drs. Harry Jacobson and Carol Toplitz Jacobson Hornstein, split his childhood between the Texas cities of Beaumont and Dallas, according to THR.

She was a student at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a radio, television and film degree before moving to Los Angeles, where she made her film debut in the title role of 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 fixture at Los Angeles venues such as The Comedy Store and The Improv.

Jacobson was also involved in philanthropic endeavors, having volunteered for the American Cancer Society, THR reported.

Jacobson pictured at A Week In London screening on October 3, 2016 in Hollywood, California

Jacobson attended a gala for director Reza Badiyi’s 80th birthday in LA on April 25, 2010

Jacobson on September 20 appeared on The Jim Masters Show on YouTube and revealed that she had been dealing 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. to give details of 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 that 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 me want to help people.’