Jill Gascoine was an American actress best known for her roles in The Gentle Touch, The Onedin Line, and C.A.T.S. Eyes. Born on April 11, 1937, in Lambeth, London, she gained recognition for her performances on both television and stage until her retirement in 2008.
Personal and Family Life
Jill Gascoine was the daughter of Francis and Irene Gascoine and grew up as an only child. She had multiple marriages, including her final one to actor Alfred Molina, which lasted from 1986 until her death in 2020. Throughout her life, Jill battled clinical depression, which she attributed to her difficult experiences at a boarding school.
Career
Beginning her career in pantomime as a young performer, Gascoine transitioned to television with memorable roles in dramas such as Dr. Finlay’s Casebook and Dixon of Dock Green. She is particularly celebrated for her character DI Maggie Forbes in The Gentle Touch, a groundbreaking role for a female police officer in British television. Later, she turned to writing, publishing several novels throughout the 1990s.
Death and Legacy
Jill Gascoine passed away on April 28, 2020, in Los Angeles after battling Alzheimer’s disease. She had openly discussed her condition and participated in events to raise awareness about the illness. Gascoine is remembered for her impactful roles in television and theater, paving the way for future female-led crime dramas.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine in Brixton | 1976-04-19 | Marion |
| Nudist Memories | 1961-03-28 | Narrator |
| BASEketball | 1998-07-28 | Hospital Nurse |
| Confessions of a Pop Performer | 1975-01-01 | Mrs Barnwell |
| King of the Wind | 1990-05-25 | Mrs. Williams |
| Trust Me | 1992-10-25 | Vivien Empson |
| The Patron Saint of Liars | 1998-04-05 | Mother Corrine |
| An Audience with Dame Edna Everage | 1980-12-26 | |
| Peter Pan | 1976-12-12 | Grown-Up Wendy |
| Upstairs and Downstairs | 1959-11-02 | Barmaid (uncredited) |
| The Gentle Touch | 1980-04-11 | Det. Insp. Maggie Forbes |
| C.A.T.S. Eyes | 1985-04-12 | |
| Virtual Murder | 1992-07-24 | |
| Hallmark Hall of Fame | 1951-12-24 | Wendy |
| Raffles | 1977-02-25 | |
| Within These Walls | 1974-01-04 | |
| The Train Now Standing | 1972-05-20 | |
| Daytime Live | 1987-10-21 | |
| Home to Roost | 1985-04-19 | Judy Schwartz |
| The Paul Daniels Magic Show | 1979-06-09 | Self |
| Rooms | 1974-11-05 | Ruth Harris |
| The Cannon & Ball Show | 1979-07-28 | Piano Lady |
| Justice | 1971-10-08 | Elizabeth Lee |
| El C.I.D. | 1990-02-07 | Sarah |
| Taggart | 1983-09-06 | Jane Antrobus |
| Softly Softly: Task Force | 1969-11-20 | Maggie Grant |
| Dixon of Dock Green | 1955-07-09 | Lorna McDermot |