Jessie Jones, Actress and Playwright, Dies at 75

Jessie Jones, the actress and playwright best known for co-creating the beloved Southern-fried comedy "Dearly Departed," died on March 20 in Washington, D.C. at the age of 75. Her death, confirmed by her longtime writing partner Jamie Wooten, followed a prolonged illness. Jones first made her mark on television, appearing in guest roles across decades of popular sitcoms, including "Night Court," "Newhart," "Designing Women," "Murphy Brown" as Betty Hooley, "Who's the Boss," "Perfect Strangers," "Grace Under Fire" and "Melrose Place." She also starred in notable TV movies such as "The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom," "Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Baby Jessica" alongside Patty Duke and Beau Bridges, and the frequently aired "Wife, Mother, Murderer."

Beyond acting, Jones wrote episodes for the Warner Bros. sitcom "For Your Love" and the animated children's series "Teacher's Pet," voiced by Nathan Lane. As her on-screen roles slowed, she pivoted to playwriting, co-authoring the Off-Broadway hit "Dearly Departed," a dark comedy set at a Southern funeral. The play became a staple in regional and community theaters nationwide. She and Wooten, along with Nicholas Hope, formed the trio behind the Jones Hope Wooten Comedies, producing 29 plays including "The Sweet Delilah Swim Club," "The Red Velvet Cake War" and "Christmas Belles." Their works, published by Concord Theatricals, have been translated globally. Jones also co-wrote the screenplay for "Kingdom Come," the Fox Searchlight film starring Whoopi Goldberg and LL Cool J. Jamie Wooten said she was the most-produced female American playwright. She is survived by siblings, a brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and Wooten. Donations are encouraged to go to Planned Parenthood.