Beloved 90’s Actress Who Appeared In ‘Night Court’ & ‘Murphy Brown’ Passes Away at 75 — She Will Be Missed

Jessie Jones, a television actress as well as a playwright, has passed away at the age of 75 following a long illness on March 20, her friend and writing partner Jamie Wooten announced (per Variety).

Jones made numerous appearances in popular shows throughout the ’80s and ’90s including “Night Court,” “Newhart,” “Designing Women,” “Murphy Brown,” “Who’s the Boss,” “Perfect Strangers,” “Grace Under Fire” and “Melrose Place.” 

After her acting career, she transitioned to becoming a very successful playwright, having co-created the Off-Broadway comedy “Dearly Departed.” She also co-wrote the screenplay for “Kingdom Come” with Whoopi Goldberg and LL Cool J.

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Tributes Pour In For Jessie Jones

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“Sad to hear. Jessie Jones left a powerful mark on theater and film—her stories, wit, and talent will be remembered and celebrated for years to come. Rest in peace,” one person posted.

“Sad news, she leaves behind a meaningful legacy,” another person wrote.

“RIP Jessie Jones… such a remarkable legacy in both TV and theater,” someone shared.

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Jessie Jones’ Legacy

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Jones got her acting start in the late 1980s, making guest appearances on “Newhart” and “Hooperman.” She went on to do so in the 1990s as well, with her resume including “Night Court,” “Designing Women,” “Perfect Strangers,” “Grace Under Fire,” “Melrose Place,” “Judging Amy,” “Cold Case,” “Who’s the Boss?,” and some others.

On the first Season 3 episode of “Murphy Brown,” she appeared as Mrs. Betty Hooley. She also had a regular role on The WB sitcom “You’re the One,” as well as appearing in numerous episodes of the ABC comedy “Fudge.”

Along with his television shows, he also had some roles in tv movies such as “The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom,” “Caught in the Act,” and “My Brother’s Keeper and The Rescue of Baby Jessica.”

In the 2000s, she transitioned to writing plays, with her most famous piece being the Southern-funeral comedy called “Dearly Departed.” She went on to write over two dozen plays alongside her partners Wooten and Nicholas Hope, including “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club,” “The Red Velvet Cake War,” “Christmas Belles,” and “The Savannah Sipping Society.”