Jessie Jones, a writer and performer known for her roles on television series like “Murphy Brown,” “Night Court,” and “Melrose Place,” has passed away at the age of 75.
According to an online obituary, Jones passed away on March 20th after a prolonged illness. Jamie Wooten, a friend and frequent writing collaborator, confirmed to Deadline that she died in Washington, D.C.
According to Wooten, Jessie Jones was a vibrant and funny woman from Texas who had a larger-than-life personality. As a writer, she dedicated her life to making people laugh, and her work will continue to bring joy for years to come.
Jones, Wooten, and Nicholas Hope collaborated as a writing team known as Jones Hope Wooten. They were famous for their funny plays set in the American South and for actively supporting community theaters, as noted on their website. Some of their popular works include “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club,” “Christmas Belles,” “Dearly Beloved,” and “Rex’s Exes.”
Born on August 21, 1950, in the Texas Panhandle, actress Jones began her career performing in local theater in Austin. It was there she met and became friends with Nicholas Hope Wilkinson, who gave her a role in one of his plays. After starting her career in New York, she moved to Hollywood, where she transitioned into mostly television work.
She’s appeared on many popular TV shows, including “Newhart,” “Designing Women,” “Perfect Strangers,” “Who’s the Boss?” and “Weird Science,” and has also been in several made-for-TV movies.
Following 2005, Jones returned to focusing on her work in theater. In addition to her collaborations with Jones Hope Wooten, she’s also well-known for co-writing the play “Dearly Departed.” This play was later adapted into the 2001 film “Kingdom Come,” which she co-wrote with David Dean Bottrell.
Jones is remembered by her sisters, Ellen and Laura Jones, as well as her niece, Margaret McCarthy, and nephews Tommy McCarthy, Todd Hyso, and Paul Hyso. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Planned Parenthood, a charity she supported.
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2026-04-02 00:04