80s Screen Icon, 79, Stuns Fans With Dramatic New Look During Rare Public Outing

A well-known star from the 1980s looked almost unrecognizable during a rare public appearance in Los Angeles this week.

Before stepping away from the spotlight, she had been one of television’s most in-demand actresses throughout the 1970s and 1980s — and she also once held the title of beauty queen.

Famous for her soft features and thick auburn hair, she became a familiar face on the hit CBS crime series Simon & Simon, led by Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker. She appeared in 33 episodes of the show between 1981 and 1987.

She also had a notable role in Tabitha, the short-lived 1977–1978 spinoff of the classic sitcom Bewitched, where she played the witch Wanda.

Her résumé even included a project with George Clooney, who was recently seen in Poland with wife Amal, when the two appeared together in an episode of a sci-fi series in 1985.

Over the years, she built an extensive list of television credits, including Fantasy Island with Ricardo Montalban, Murder, She Wrote alongside Angela Lansbury, as well as The Love Boat, The Bionic Woman, The Dukes of Hazzard, Full House, JAG and Vega$. Think you know who it is?

If you guessed Jeannie Wilson, you are right!

Wilson was spotted soaking up the sunshine with her husband of 46 years, producer Jack Lucarelli, in Los Angeles on Monday.

At 79, she proved she’s still active as ever as she stretched out her arms and chatted animatedly with her spouse.

Her big 80s hair has been replaced with a no-fuss silvery-gray hairstyle but the same energy was there.

She was dressed in a loose navy shirt and matching baggy trousers that made sense given the warm 80-degree temperatures.

At point, Wilson appeared to be barefoot as she stood on the grass and extended her arms while wearing a big smile.

The vibrant and versatile Wilson played Assistant District Attorney Janet Fowler on Simon & Simon.

As fans may recall, Janet was the daughter of Myron Fowler, played by veteran actor Eddie Barth. Myron was a rival of brothers Rick and A.J., played by McRaney and Parker.

Wilson has remained lifelong friends with McRaney and Parker in the years since.

She appeared in 12 episodes of Street Hawk in 1985, ‘having the pleasure of working with George Clooney. He is wonderful,’ she previously told White Rock Lake Weekly for an article called Where Are They Now?

And Wilson loved working with the late Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote, which ran for 12 seasons beginning in 1984.

She called the legendary TV star ‘sweet and giving.’

Wilson was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1947 and graduated from Lake Highlands High School in 1965, after which she became a successful model and singer.

In 1967, while attending the Stephen F. Austin University, she was named Miss Dallas. A year later, she was crowned Miss Texas in the MIss USA Pageant, but did not win the coveted title of Miss USA.

According to one bio, she quipped, ‘Texas is half the USA anyway!’

After dividing her time between Dallas and Los Angeles, Wilson moved to California in 1976 to pursue acting full time.

Wilson continued to act well into the 90s and die-hard fans remember her as one of the prettiest and talented stars on TV

It was there that she met Lucarelli while participating in a Film Actors Workshop. In 1980, they married.

She was previously married to Louis Dorfman for three years from July 1974 to October 1977.

Wilson continued to act well into the 90s and die-hard fans remember her as one of the prettiest and talented stars on TV. 

Her final acting credit is believed to be the 2010 film Cartel War.