Home / Arts and Entertainment / TV Actor & Playwright Jessie Jones Dies at 75
TV Actor & Playwright Jessie Jones Dies at 75
1 Apr
Summary
- Jessie Jones, known for TV roles and comedy plays, died at 75.
- Her play 'Dearly Departed' became a film adaptation.
- Jones was a prolific American playwright with global productions.
Jessie Jones, an accomplished actress and prolific comedy playwright, died on March 20, 2026, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 75 after a long illness. Born in Texas in 1950, Jones began her acting career in the late 1980s, securing guest spots on numerous popular television shows throughout the 1990s.
Her television credits include memorable roles on series such as 'Murphy Brown,' 'Newhart,' 'Night Court,' and 'Designing Women.' Jones also had a series-regular role on the sitcom 'You're the One' and appeared in several TV movies during her acting career.
By the mid-2000s, Jones transitioned to a successful second career as a playwright. Her Southern-themed comedy 'Dearly Departed' achieved significant success, premiering Off-Broadway and later being adapted into a film. She co-wrote over two dozen plays with partners Jamie Wooten and Nicholas Hope, which have been performed worldwide.
Jones's published works, including 'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' and 'The Red Velvet Cake War,' are widely produced. Her writing partner noted that Jones was the most-produced female American playwright, with her works performed in every U.S. state and over 25 countries.
