Jessie Jones, Beloved TV Actor and Playwright, Passes Away at 75
Jessie Jones, a distinguished television character actor known for guest appearances on acclaimed series such as Murphy Brown, Newhart, and Night Court, has passed away at the age of 75.
Born on August 21, 1950, in the Texas Panhandle, Jones began her career after winning a high school essay and speech contest. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and made her television debut in the late 1980s, securing roles on shows like Newhart and Hooperman. Throughout the 1990s, she continued to build an impressive resume, appearing in hit series including Night Court, Designing Women, Perfect Strangers, Grace Under Fire, Melrose Place, Judging Amy, Cold Case, and Who’s the Boss?.
One of her standout performances was in the Season 3 episode of Murphy Brown, where she portrayed Mrs. Betty Hooley. In this memorable role, she was randomly chosen to be interviewed by host Murphy (played by Candice Bergen) about family challenges in the 1990s. However, the interview took a turn when Hooley revealed her bigoted views, much to the embarrassment of the show’s hosts.
Jones also played a series-regular role in the WB sitcom You’re the One, where she portrayed the mother of co-lead Cynthia Geary. Although the show focused on the romance between a Southern woman and a New Yorker, it failed to resonate with audiences and aired only two episodes in April 1998. Additionally, she appeared in multiple episodes of the ABC Saturday morning comedy Fudge during its two-season run in 1995.
In addition to her television work, Jones featured in several TV movies, including The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom, Caught in the Act, My Brother’s Keeper, and The Rescue of Baby Jessica, which starred Patty Duke and Beau Bridges.
In the mid-2000s, Jones transitioned to a prolific career as a playwright. Among her most notable works is the Southern-funeral comedy Dearly Departed, which premiered Off Broadway and saw productions in numerous regional and community theaters across the U.S. The play also inspired the film adaptation Kingdom Come, featuring a star-studded cast that included LL Cool J, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, Anthony Anderson, Toni Braxton, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Alongside her collaborators Wooten and Nicholas Hope, Jones co-wrote over two dozen plays, primarily focusing on Southern comedies. Their works, published by Concord Theatricals, include titles like The Sweet Delilah Swim Club, The Red Velvet Cake War, Christmas Belles, and The Savannah Sipping Society. Wooten noted that Jones was the most-produced female American playwright.
Jones is survived by her sisters Ellen and Laura, brother-in-law Jim McCarthy, niece Margaret McCarthy, nephews Tommy McCarthy, Todd Hyso, Paul Hyso, along with her grand-nieces and cousins. In memory of Jones, her family has requested donations be made to Planned Parenthood.
