Actress Jill Jacobson, Star of Falcon Crest and Star Trek, Dies at 70

Actress Jill Jacobson, celebrated for her roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and the primetime soap opera Falcon Crest, has passed away at the age of 70. She died on December 8, 2024, at Cedars-Sinai’s Culver West Health Center in Los Angeles after a prolonged illness, her friend and publicist Dan Harary confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

Jacobson’s career spanned four decades, highlighted by her portrayal of Erin Jones, a scheming private detective, in 22 episodes of Falcon Crest from 1985 to 1987. At the same time, she starred as Larue Wilson on The New Gidget, a sequel to the 1960s ABC sitcom starring Sally Field.

In science fiction, Jacobson left a lasting impression on the Star Trek universe. She appeared as Vanessa in The Next Generation episode “The Royale” (1989) and as Chalan Aroya in the Deep Space Nine episode “Broken Link” (1996), earning admiration from fans of the franchise.

Colleagues praised her comedic talent, including Caryn Richman, her co-star on The New Gidget, who said, “Jill’s comic timing was brilliant. Her enthusiasm and love of life made our time together on set joyful.” Beyond television, Jacobson acted in films like Splash and showcased her humor as a stand-up comedian at venues such as The Improv and The Comedy Store in Los Angeles.

Jacobson was also deeply committed to charitable work. She received recognition for her advocacy as a volunteer spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. In September 2024, during an appearance on The Jim Masters Show, she openly shared her victory over a two-and-a-half-year battle with esophageal cancer.

Her passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues on social media, celebrating her talent, warmth, and enduring legacy. She is survived by her family, friends, and her cherished dogs, Benny and Kowalski.