From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv



Jessie Jones, Actress and Playwright, Dies at 75
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Jessie Jones, a TV actress who became a succesful playwright with
"Dearly Departed" and the Jones Hope Wooten Comedies, died March 20
in Washington, D.C. after a long illness.

Her friend and writing partner Jamie Wooten announced her death.

Throughout the '80s, '90s and beyond, Jones had guest appearances
in shows including "Night Court," "Newhart," "Designing Women,"
"Murphy Brown," where she played Betty Hooley, "Who's the Boss,"
"Perfect Strangers," ""Grace Under Fire" and "Melrose Place." She
also appeared in TV movies including "The Positively True Adventures
of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom," "Everybody's Baby:
The Rescue of Baby Jessica," (where she starred alongside Patty Duke
and Beau Bridges), and the oft-shown "Wife, Mother, Murderer."

She also wrote episodes of the Warner Bros. sitcom "For Your Love"
and installments of the children's series "Teacher's Pet," starring
Nathan Lane.

As Jones wound down her acting career, she became a successful
playwright and co-created the Off-Broadway Southern funeral comedy
"Dearly Departed," which went on to be performed by theater
companies across the country. She also co-wrote the screenplay for
Fox Searchlight's film adaptation "Kingdom Come" with Whoopi
Goldberg and LL Cool J.

She formed a writing partnership with her friends Nicholas Hope and
Jamie Wooten, and they went on to create Southern-flavored comedies
such as "The Sweet Delilah Swim Club," "The Red Velvet Cake War,"
"Christmas Belles," "The Savannah Sipping Society and 26 other
titles, published by Concord Theatricals. The Jones Hope Wooten
Comedies have been widely produced and translated into many languages.
Her partner Wooten said she was the most-produced female American
playwright.

She is survived by her sisters, a brother-in-law, a niece and nephews,
and by her friend and writing partner Wooten.

Donations may be made to Planned Parenthood.



<https://variety.com/2026/legit/news/jessie-jones-dead-actress-playwright-1236704134/>





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