Falcon Crest and Star Trek actress Jill Jacobson has died at the age of 70

Jill Jacobson, an actress who appeared in numerous prominent TV shows over the course of her four-decade career, has died at the age of 70.

Jacobson died on December 8 at Cedars-Sinai’s Culver West Health Center in Culver City, California, her boyfriend Dan Harary told The Hollywood Reporter, after a years-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 two Star Trek shows in the ’80s and ’90s.

Jacobson’s appearances in Gene Roddenberry’s legendary science fiction series include roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1989) as Vanessa and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1996) as Aroya.

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

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

Jill Jacobson, an actress who appeared in numerous prominent TV shows over the course of her four-decade career, has died at the age of 70. Pictured in October 2016 in LA. Jacobson at the Hollywood & Highland Center on February 8, 2012 in LA

Jacobson was also involved in philanthropy, having volunteered for the American Cancer Society

Harary told THR, “She will be greatly missed by numerous family, friends and her beloved dogs Benny and Kowalski.”

Jacobson was “beautiful, energetic and positive until the end and will be sorely missed by numerous family, friends and her beloved dogs Benny and Kowalski,” her family said in a statement to Deadline on Sunday.

Jacobson has also appeared on 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 stints in the 1984 Ron Howard hit “Splash,” which starred Tom Hanks; The Jigsaw Murders from 1989 and the comedy Reality Queen from 2020! in which Denise Richards played the lead role.

Jacobson, whose parents Dr. Harry Jacobson and Carol Toplitz Jacobson Hornstein spent their childhood between the Texas cities of Beaumont and Dallas, according to THR.

She was a student at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a degree in radio, television and film before moving to Los Angeles, where she made her debut in the title role of the 1977 horror film Nurse Sherri.

In addition to her acting ventures, according to the magazine, Jacobson was also an accomplished stand-up comedian, having regularly performed at Los Angeles venues such as The Comedy Store and The Improv.

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

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

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

Jacobson appeared on The Jim Masters Show on YouTube on September 20 and revealed that she had been battling esophageal cancer for almost three years.

The illness “took me out of the game for a while,” Jacobson said on the show. Providing details about the health crisis she went through.

“What I went through was pretty intense — you can’t function, you just can’t function,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson told Masters that gratitude inspired her to help others.

“Now I’m so grateful, I just want to keep going, I want to help people,” she said. “It makes you want to help people.”