1. Overview
Jacqueline Sue Scott (June 25, 1931 - July 23, 2020) was an American actress who built a prolific career across Broadway, film, and television. While she had notable stage and film appearances, she was most recognized for her extensive work as a guest star in over 100 television programs, becoming a familiar face to television audiences throughout her career.
2. Early Life and Background
Jacqueline Scott's early life was rooted in the Midwest, where she developed her initial passion for the performing arts before moving to New York to further her education and career.
2.1. Birth and Family
Jacqueline Scott was born Jacqueline Sue Scott on June 25, 1931, in Neosho, Missouri. She was the daughter of John and Maxine Scott. Her early family life was spent in Neosho.
2.2. Education
Scott completed her high school education in her hometown, graduating from Neosho High School in 1949. Following her graduation, she moved to New York City to pursue higher education, where she attended Hunter College.
3. Career
Jacqueline Scott's professional journey began on stage, transitioned into film, and then found its most extensive expression in television, where she became a highly active guest performer.
3.1. Stage Career
Scott's initial experience in theater came from traveling with a tent show in Missouri, an early form of theatrical performance that toured various locations. She eventually moved to Broadway, where she undertook two significant roles. In 1955, she portrayed Susan Dennison in The Wooden Dish. From 1955 to 1957, she appeared as Rachel Brown in the acclaimed play Inherit the Wind, a role that contributed to her early recognition as a stage actress.
3.2. Film and Television Career
Scott made her mark in both motion pictures and television, establishing a reputation for versatile performances across various genres.
3.2.1. Film Roles
Scott's motion picture debut came in 1958 with William Castle's thriller, Macabre. During the production of this film in 1957, she met actor Gene Lesser, whom she would marry a few months later. Later in her film career, she played the wife of James Stewart's character in the 1968 Western film Firecreek. In 1973, she had a memorable role as the ill-fated outlaw wife of Walter Matthau in the crime thriller Charley Varrick.
3.2.2. Television Roles
Jacqueline Scott had an extensive career in television, beginning with performances opposite stars like Helen Hayes in live television broadcasts. She became one of the most prolific guest stars of her era, appearing in over 100 television programs. Between 1958 and 1960, Scott made three notable guest appearances on the popular legal drama Perry Mason. She played Amelia Armitage in "The Case of the Daring Decoy" (1958), Sally Wilson in "The Case of the Glittering Goldfish" (1959), and Kathi Beecher in "The Case of the Violent Village" (1960). In the science fiction anthology series The Outer Limits, she was featured in the series' inaugural episode, "The Galaxy Being" (1963), portraying the wife of the protagonist. One of her most iconic television roles was in the drama series The Fugitive, where she played the sister of Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen) across five episodes aired between 1964 and 1967. This included the highly anticipated two-part finale, which at the time achieved the highest viewership ratings in television history. She also appeared in series such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Ironside, The F.B.I., Barnaby Jones, and Planet of the Apes.
4. Personal Life
Jacqueline Scott's personal life included her long marriage to actor Gene Lesser. They met during the production of her film debut, Macabre, in 1957, and were married shortly thereafter. Their marriage lasted for 63 years.
5. Death
Jacqueline Scott died on July 23, 2020, at the age of 89, at her home in Los Angeles. The cause of her death was lung cancer. Her husband, Gene Lesser, had passed away a month earlier on June 23 of the same year.
6. Filmography
Jacqueline Scott accumulated an extensive list of credits in both film and television throughout her career.
| Year | Title (Role / Type) |
|---|---|
| 1954 | Lassie (Television) |
| 1954 | Disneyland (Fran Fitch / Television) |
| 1955 | Gunsmoke (Television) |
| 1957 | Have Gun - Will Travel (Television) |
| 1957 | Perry Mason (Television) |
| 1958 | Macabre (Film) |
| 1959 | Bonanza (Television) |
| 1963 | The Outer Limits (Television) |
| 1963 | The Fugitive (Television) |
| 1965 | The F.B.I. (Television) |
| 1967 | Ironside (Television) |
| 1968 | Firecreek (Film) |
| 1969 | Death of a Gunfighter (Film) |
| 1970 | The Smoke (Film/Television, details unclear) |
| 1971 | Duel (Television film) |
| 1972 | The Streets of San Francisco (Television) |
| 1973 | Charley Varrick (Film) |
| 1973 | Barnaby Jones (Television) |
| 1974 | Planet of the Apes (Kira / Television) |
| 1977 | Telefon (Film) |
| 1977 | Kingdom of the Spiders (Film) |
| 1979 | The Omega Connection (Film) |
| 1982 | Jinxed! (Film) |
| 2007 | Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story (Documentary) |