After high school, Kate attended University of Mississippi and Birmingham Southern University studying drama. She left both schools before earning her degree and then moved to New York City and attended New York’s Academy of Dramatic Arts. While in the city, Hudson earned her living by modeling, giving tours at the NBC building, and selling skis. She eventually became a model for Revlon and Max Factor.
Jackson landed her first role on the soap opera Dark Shadows in 1970, playing the character Daphne Harridge. The show starred actress and model Joan Bennett. Following a yearlong stint on the soap, Kate moved out to Hollywood and landed the role of Jill Danko on the television show The Rookies, which she appeared on from 1972 to 1976.
In 1976, Kate landed her most famous role to date as Sabrina on Charlie’s Angels. The show co-starred Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith as the remaining Angels. Jackson was seen as the most talented of the trio, and was the only one who had prior acting experience. But the show proved to be a hindrance to her when she was offered a role in the film Kramer vs. Kramer in 1979, and had to turn it down due to her obligations to Charlie’s Angels. The role ended up going to Meryl Streep. This event prompted Kate to leave the show in 1979.
In 1978, Kate married her first husband, Andrew Stevens, who was an actor and producer. The couple divorced in 1980. This was followed up with a marriage to David Greenwald in 1982. He was an editor and also worked at her production company. That marriage ended in divorce two years later. In 1991 she married Tom Hart, a stunt man, in a marriage that lasted just two years as well. Since then, Jackson has remained single, but in 1995 she adopted a son with the help of Rosie O’Donnell. Although his full name is Charles Taylor, she refers to him simply as Taylor.
In the late 1980s Kate battled through two cases of breast cancer; once in 1987 and again in 1989. Thankfully, she won and has remained healthy to this day. Also in 1987, Jackson insured her long legs for $8 million.
Following her success on Charlie’s Angels, Jackson starred in Making Love in 1982, opposite Michael Ontkean and Harry Hamlin. This was followed by a four-year stint co-starring with Bruce Boxleitner in the television series, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, which ran from 1983 to 1987.
To date, Jackson has three Emmy and four Golden Globe nominations under her belt. She has also won numerous humanitarian awards for her charitable work with animals as well as children. She is currently the spokesperson for the Financially Strong America television show. Jackson’s experience with breast cancer has also made her an advocate for mammograms.
YUDDY
