Jacklyn Zeman (March 6, 1953 – May 9, 2023) was an American actress best known for her portrayal of Bobbie Spencer on the long-running ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital. With a career spanning 45 years, Zeman made a significant impact on the world of television.
Jacklyn Zeman Biography
Jacklyn Lee Zeman was born on March 6, 1953, in Englewood, New Jersey, in the United States. Sadly, she passed away on May 9, 2023, at the age of 70, in Thousand Oaks, California. Zeman was an actress who started her career in 1974 and continued to work in the entertainment industry until her passing in 2023. She had two children.
Family Background | Education
Jacklyn Zeman was born in Englewood, New Jersey, on March 6, 1953, to Rita Zeman-Rohlman and Richard S. Zeman. ((en.wikipedia.org)) She grew up in Bergenfield, New Jersey, in a Jewish family. Zeman’s parents were successful in their respective careers, with her mother working as a magazine supervisor and her father as a systems engineer.
Zeman showed immense talent and determination from a young age. She completed her high school education at Bergenfield High School at just 15 years old. After that, she received a dance scholarship to New York University, where she worked on improving her skills and pursuing her passion for performing.
Career Breakthrough and General Hospital
Zeman started her acting career with small roles, gradually building her experience in the entertainment industry. In 1976, she landed a recurring role on the daytime soap opera One Life to Live, playing Lana McClain until 1977.
However, her big break came later that year when she was cast as Barbara “Bobbie” Spencer on the popular sister-soap General Hospital. Zeman breathed life into the character, becoming an essential part of the show for four and a half decades until 2010.
Her portrayal of Bobbie Spencer garnered her multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations, including three for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and one for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Career Beyond Soap Operas
Aside from her iconic role in General Hospital, Jacklyn Zeman also demonstrated her range as an actress in various forms of media. She made appearances in films like the 1982 comedy Young Doctors in Love and the 1982 comedy National Lampoon’s Class Reunion.
Zeman also took on roles in made-for-television movies like Jury Duty: The Comedy (1990) alongside Heather Locklear and Montana Crossroads (1993) alongside Kellie Martin.
She even performed in off-Broadway productions, including Come Blow Your Horn, Barefoot in the Park, and The Boy Friend. Her talent and dedication to acting continued to be recognized, with another Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2021 for her role as Sofia Madison in the streaming series The Bay.
Personal Life and Demise
Jacklyn Zeman had a fascinating personal life. She was married three times and had two daughters with her third husband, Glenn Gorden. Her first husband was Murray Kaufman, who was a famous DJ known as Murray the K, while her second husband was Steve Gribbin.
Zeman had deep connections with her co-stars on General Hospital. She gave a touching eulogy at the funeral of Shell Kepler, who played Nurse Amy Vining on the show. Zeman was also very close to Anna Lee, who portrayed the wealthy matriarch, Lila Quartermaine.
Jacklyn considered Lee as a surrogate grandmother and appreciated her off-screen friendship and her remarkable sense of humor. Unfortunately, on May 9, 2023, Jacklyn Zeman passed away at the age of 70 after a brief battle with cancer. Her contributions to the world of entertainment, especially her memorable portrayal of Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital, will be forever treasured and remembered by her fans and colleagues.
Net Worth
Jacklyn Zeman had a successful career in acting, particularly in her role on General Hospital. Her estimated net worth varies among sources, with some estimating it to be around $16 million and others around $5 million. ((sportskeeda.com)) ((ghbase.com))
Her primary source of income was from her work in the entertainment industry, including her roles on television, film, and off-Broadway productions.
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