Victoria Jackson

Victoria Jackson

Active - 1985 - 2017  |   Born - Aug 2, 1959 in Miami, Florida, United States  |   Genres - Comedy, Drama, Romance

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Biography by AllMovie

Squeaky-voiced comedienne Victoria Jackson is perhaps best known for being a cast member of the NBC television sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1992, but she also makes sporadic film appearances. Jackson made her film debut in Stoogemania (1985). Born in Miami, FL, Jackson was raised in a strict Christian home. Her father was a gymnastics coach and Jackson was trained in the sport from age five through 18. Following studies at Florida Bible College, Jackson attended Furman University on a gymnastics scholarship. She next went to Auburn University before getting involved with summerstock theater in California. With the troupe, she ended up in Alabama where she met actor Johnny Crawford (best known as the star of the TV Western The Rifleman). He hired her for his nightclub act. From there, Jackson went to Hollywood working odd jobs while launching her career as a standup comic. Jackson's big break came from an appearance with Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show in which she recited poetry while doing a handstand. The funny lady went on to appear a total of 22 times on the enduring nighttime talk show. Following her long stint on SNL, Jackson married her old high school flame and returned to Florida to raise a family. Since then her film and television appearances, on shows such as The Naked Truth, have been sporadic, though Jackson did find time to record a children's album, Ukulele Lady, on Choo Choo Records. Herself a devout Christian, Jackson also occasionally appears on The 700 Club to share her faith.

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Factsheet

  • Was trained in gymnastics from age 5 to 18 by her father.
  • Dated her second husband Paul Wessell while in high school, and reconnected and married him more than eight years later. 
  • Became famous in the realm of stand-up comedy for reciting poetry while doing a handstand.
  • Frequently campaigns for conservative values and the Tea Party.
  • Returned to college after 30 years to complete her degree in 2010.