Kate Jackson's Real Name: Lucy Kate Jackson

Quick answer: She is known as Kate Jackson, and her birth name is Lucy Kate Jackson. The Encyclopedia of Alabama says "Lucy Kate Jackson was born on October 29, 1948, in Birmingham." A Library of Congress record independently says she was born Lucy Kate Jackson in Birmingham, Alabama, with the same birth date. She uses her middle name, Kate, professionally.

Real name and early life

The Encyclopedia of Alabama, in an entry by Claire M. Wilson of Auburn University, gives her birth name as Lucy Kate Jackson, born October 29, 1948, in Birmingham, Jefferson County, to Hogan Jackson, president of a building-supply company, and Ruth Jackson. The Library of Congress authority file carries "Jackson, Lucy Kate, 1948-" as a cross-reference and notes she was "born Lucy Kate Jackson, Birmingham, Alabama."

The encyclopedia says she attended private schools in Birmingham, graduating in 1966, then studied history at the University of Mississippi before transferring to Birmingham-Southern College, where she took her first theater class. It says she trained at the Stowe Playhouse in Vermont and then at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, working as a model and an NBC page.

Career highlights

The encyclopedia says that after graduating in 1970 she joined the soap opera Dark Shadows, playing the ghost of a Victorian governess, and starred in the 1971 film Night of Dark Shadows. It says she moved to Los Angeles, worked on series such as Bonanza, and was often cast in television horror films, including Satan's School for Girls.

The encyclopedia says producer Aaron Spelling cast her as nurse Jill Danko on The Rookies for four seasons, then signed her for a new detective series. It says the show was first called The Alley Cats, that Jackson suggested "Harry's Angels," and that the title became Charlie's Angels. It credits her with the idea of keeping the agency boss's identity hidden and says the role brought Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. It says Spelling-Goldberg would not release her for Kramer vs. Kramer, and that she left after the third season.

The encyclopedia says she starred from 1983 in the spy comedy Scarecrow and Mrs. King, opposite Bruce Boxleitner, produced by her own company, Shoot the Moon, and earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. The Library of Congress note also credits her company with co-producing the series. The encyclopedia says she later starred in the series Baby Boom, survived two bouts of breast cancer and open-heart surgery, became a health-care advocate, and retired from acting in 2010.

Name notes for searchers

People looking up Kate Jackson or Lucy Kate Jackson are looking for the same actress. Dark Shadows, The Rookies, and Charlie's Angels are her best-known series.