Kate Jackson is a girl on her way – she’ s stopped taking sleeping pills and smoking, and she’s started expanding her rapidly growing career as nurse Jill Danko on “The Rookies”.
Tall, enviably thin, and soft-spoken, but once she feels more comfortable, all the warmth and enthusiasm of a girl who loves her life comes bubbling out. “My family was scared to death at first. Scared for me, scared that I would be unhappy if acting turned out to be really rough.
“Now they’re both as pleased as can be!”.
They have a lot to be pleased and proud about. Three years ago Kate moved from Birmingham, Alabama, to New York City to study acting. She enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where she was featured in several plays. Her big break came fast when she won a continuing role in the ABC daytime drama, “Dark Shadows”.
“I’ve found that so far I’ve had to get away regularly, however,” she admits. “As much as I love the series, it’s emotionally draining. If I don’t get away, I lose perspective.” Recently she and boyfriend, Edward Albert, escaped to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Kate came back with a glowing tan, exciting tales of parachuting over the beach, and the happy report that she was no longer taking Valium.
“I read an article about Valium, and I had been taking it to sleep for three years. After reading about some of the effects they’re discovering, I stopped taking it and I’ve noticed a difference in the way I feel.
“I think I withdrew from it … I had an upset stomach for a week, and when I first stopped taking it, I couldn’t sleep. I mean I REALLY couldn’t sleep. But in Mexico, I was finally able to sleep naturally.”
With the excitement of a budding career, Kate also feels the pressures of two lives … the real Kate Jackson, and Jill Danko from “The Rookies”.
“Jill is actually easier to be than me”, she laughs, “because I know exactly what’s gonna happen to her. She is very sure of what she’s doing. I like the kind of person that she is; she’s a pretty together person. But I’m really only beginning to enjoy her this year. She got on my nerves a little last year. I think I like her a lot now”.
Another thing that gets on Kate’s nerves is a certain type of fan. “The only thing I don’t like about my work is the “staring whisperers,” she explains.
“Of course, it’s always flattering to be recognized. The recognition is appreciated, and then to express that in the right way is terrific. You can make a celebrity’s day by recognizing her”.
No doubt more and more fans will be recognizing Kate Jackson. Last year she made a terror-filled movie of the week about Killer bees with Gloria Swanson, and she has plans for more expansion this year. She’s a girl on her way!