Jill Jacobson, the beloved actress known for her memorable roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Falcon Crest, has passed away at the age of 70. Her death was confirmed by her longtime friend Dan Harary, who revealed that she succumbed to a long-term illness on December 8, 2024, at Cedars-Sinai’s Culver West Health Center.
Born in Beaumont, Texas, and raised in Dallas, Jacobson embarked on her acting career with dreams of stardom, which led her to Los Angeles. Her breakthrough role came in the 1977 horror film Nurse Sherri, where she starred as the title character. Over the years, Jill established herself in the entertainment industry with memorable performances in series like Falcon Crest, where she played Erin Jones across more than 20 episodes, as well as Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, where her roles made a lasting impact on fans of the legendary franchise.
Beyond acting, Jacobson also delved into producing, serving as an executive producer on projects such as The Circle and the 2014 short film Mic Whore. Her creativity extended beyond the screen, as she demonstrated a deep passion for storytelling in various forms.
Jacobson’s journey was not without its challenges. In September 2024, she revealed in an interview on The Jim Masters Show that she had been battling esophageal cancer for two and a half years. Reflecting on her treatment, Jill shared the profound toll it took on her but expressed gratitude for the strength it gave her in supporting others. She became a committed advocate for cancer awareness, volunteering with the American Cancer Society and earning accolades for her impactful work.
Despite her diagnosis, Jacobson continued to inspire those around her, using her experience to spread positivity and offer support to others fighting similar battles. “I’m so grateful,” she said. “It makes you want to help people.”
Her manager, Ben Padua, honored the late actress with a touching statement to Entertainment Weekly: “We are heartbroken to say goodbye to our beautiful, soulful, hysterically funny, elegantly raunchy client, Jill Jacobson. Jill was an absolute force of nature with comedic timing straight out of a Marx Brothers movie and the Hollywood glamour of its golden age.”
Fans of Jacobson will be able to see her one last time in the upcoming TV series Merrily, set to premiere in 2025, ensuring her legacy of talent and passion for her craft endures.
Jill Jacobson’s lasting contributions to television, her advocacy, and her strength in the face of adversity will be remembered. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family, fans, and her beloved dogs, Benny and Kowalski.
