Even though she doesn’t seek the spotlight anymore, Kate Jackson still finds herself recognized by devoted fans. "She’s always surprised by that,” reveals a close friend. But maybe she shouldn’t be. "She’s older, sure, but she still looks fantastic. That bone structure? It’s timeless," the friend adds.
From Screen Icon to Quiet Life
At 73, Kate has had a storied career, starring in iconic TV series like Charlie’s Angels and Scarecrow and Mrs. King. But after her battle with breast cancer, she decided to step away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. “I was done with the long hours, the politics, the backstabbing, and all the gossip,” she once said. “It wasn’t a place where you could keep your feet on the ground and live a normal life.”
A New Chapter in Life
Kate’s journey toward normalcy included adopting a son, Charles, in 1995, and relocating to a serene 125-acre farm in Keswick, Virginia, near her high school best friend. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Alongside battling cancer twice, Kate also faced financial struggles, leading her to take legal action in 2010. “Kate certainly went through a tough patch,” a friend confides. “She had personal issues and demons she needed to confront.”
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Breaking Into Hollywood
Kate’s rise to fame began with small roles in various TV series, but it was Charlie’s Angels in 1976 that catapulted her to superstardom. Her portrayal of Sabrina Duncan earned her two Emmy nominations, but behind the scenes, she often clashed with the simplistic scripts. The grueling 14-hour workdays also began to wear her down. “My life revolved around work,” Kate admitted. “Even though millions of people knew me and liked me, they weren’t there in my living room when I was lonely and stressed.”
Tensions Behind the Scenes
Relationships on the Charlie’s Angels set grew strained after Kate was unable to take time off for the role of Joanna in the critically acclaimed film Kramer vs. Kramer. The part ultimately went to Meryl Streep, who won her first Oscar for the role. By 1979, Kate decided it was time to leave. “I realized I had to choose between my life and the show,” Kate explained. “And I wasn’t about to sacrifice my life for television.”
Reclaiming Control
After a brief hiatus, Kate returned to television in a remake of Topper with her then-husband, Andrew Stevens. She eventually returned to series television with Scarecrow and Mrs. King in 1983, but this time on her own terms. She even directed two episodes in 1986. “Directing myself felt strange at first,” Kate recalled. “I thought, ‘Who’s watching me?’ But I learned to relax and trust my instincts.”
Facing Health Challenges
In January 1987, Kate faced one of the biggest challenges of her life when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “It forced me to confront my mortality,” she said. “I had to decide whether I wanted to live or die. And if you choose life, as I did, everything changes.” After undergoing a lumpectomy and radiation treatment, Kate was given a clean bill of health. However, in September 1989, another cluster of cancer cells was discovered, necessitating a partial mastectomy. “Thankfully, she’s cancer-free now,” a friend shares.
Farrah’s Passing and Other Hardships
The death of her Charlie’s Angels costar Farrah Fawcett in 2009 hit Kate hard. They weren’t just colleagues but close friends. “We had so much fun that year she was on Charlie’s Angels because we’d ad-lib and try to make each other laugh,” Kate reminisced. Farrah’s death wasn’t the only difficulty Kate faced. In 2010, she alleged in court papers that her financial adviser, Richard B. Francis, exploited her relationship with Farrah to gain her as a client, leading to financial ruin. The case was settled confidentially.
