American actress and comedian Jill Jacobson passed away at the age of 70 at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Culver City, California, after a prolonged battle with cancer. The tragedy occurred on December 8, but it became known only today. According to a statement from her family, “Jill Jacobson was beautiful, energetic, and positive until the very end. She will be deeply missed by her numerous family members, friends, and her beloved dogs Benny and Kowalski.”
Her co-star from the TV series Gidget, Karyn Richman, was shocked by her death. “Jill’s sense of humor was brilliant, and her enthusiasm and love for life made our time together on set joyful,” Karyn said. Close friend and actor Dan Harari expressed his condolences to Jill’s family. “Many family members, friends, and her beloved dogs Benny and Kowalski will miss her dearly,” Dan shared.
Jill Jacobson was born into the family of Dr. Harry Jacobson and his wife Carol Toplitz Jacobson Hornstein. As a child, she lived alternately in Beaumont and Dallas, Texas. Jill attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated with a degree in Radio, Television, and Film. After completing her studies, she moved to Los Angeles, where she made her debut in the lead role of the 1977 horror film Nurse Sherry.
Over her 40-year career, Jacobson appeared in numerous films and TV series. Notable roles included Erin Jones in 22 episodes of Falcon Crest, and Larry Wilson in eight episodes of New Gidget. She also appeared as Vanessa in the legendary sci-fi series Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1989 and as Arroya in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1996.
Jacobson featured in such TV shows as Newhart, Murphy Brown, Hung, Who’s the Boss?, Quantum Leap, Kouvalda!, Mad About You, Arli, and My Sister Sam. She appeared in Ron Howard’s 1984 film Splash, alongside Tom Hanks, in the 1989 film Murders by Script, and in the 2020 comedy Queen of the Reality Show! with Denise Richards. Her final project was the dramatic film Fun, written and directed by Robert McEthy, set to be released next year.
In addition to her acting career, Jacobson was an experienced stand-up comedian, regularly performing at The Comedy Store, The Improv, and other venues in Los Angeles. She was also active in charity work, volunteering with the American Cancer Society. On September 20, Jill appeared on The Jim Masters Show, where she shared that she had battled esophageal cancer for nearly three years.
“The disease took me out of the game for a while. What I went through was pretty tough – you just can’t function. Now I’m so grateful, I just want to keep going, I want to help. It makes me want to help people,” Jill said.
