Before 'The Rookies,' 'Charlie's Angels' & 'Scarecrow & Mrs. King,' Kate Jackson did 'Dark Shadows'

Photo byClassic TV Preservation Society

Before acclaimed actress Kate Jackson starred in TV's The Rookies (ABC, 1972-1976), Charlie's Angels (ABC, 1976-1981), and Scarecrow and Mrs. King (CBS, 1983-1987), she made her small-screen debut on the classic gothic daytime soap, Dark Shadows (ABC, 1966-1971).

A Closer Look

Kate Jackson is one of the most popular stars in the history of television and the entertainment industry.

Jackson would have three major hits on prime-time TV. She played Nurse Jill Danko on The Rookies, followed by her role as Sabrina Duncan on Charlie's Angels, and then she was Amanda King on Scarecrow and Mrs. King.

Before or after those three hit shows, Jackson would also star or guest-star in short-lived, but acclaimed series such as The Jimmy Stewart Show, James at 15, and Baby Boom (the TV adaptation of the big-screen hit starring Diane Keaton).

Jackson, too, would appear on several other TV shows, as well as TV-movies (like both editions of Satan's School for Girls). The actress also has made a name for herself on the big screen in ground-breaking movies like Making Love (which also featured Michael Onktean, her former co-star, from The Rookies), and Night of Dark Shadows.

Jackson, however, had previously dabbled in the world of Dark Shadows. The Night of Dark Shadows was the second film (following House of Dark Shadows) based on the original Dark Shadows daytime TV series.

Kate Jackson and Jonathan Frid (as "Bramhall Collins," son of "Barnabas Collins") relax on the set of TV's "Dark Shadows" gothic soap.Photo byClassic TV Preservation Society

In the last season of that horror cult classic, Jackson made her TV debut, playing Daphne Collins, who first "materialized" as a silent ghost.

Several of Jackson's seen were with actor Jonathan Frid, who played the famed vampire-with-a-heart-of-gold, Barnabas Collins.

During Jackson's early Shadow appearances, she played opposite Frid, when he portrayed Bramhall Collins, the non-vampiric-son of Barnabas.

A Survivor and Surpriser

Today, Kate Jackson is a several-time survivor of breast cancer and continues to bring joy to countless fans with personal appearances at autograph events such as The Hollywood Show. Jackson recently stunned dedicated fans of Scarecrow & Mrs. King, when she made a surprise visit to their recent gathering in Los Angeles. She also attended in Los Angeles the wedding of the son of former Charlie's Angels co-star Jaclyn Smith.