AW & OLTL Soap legend, Jacqueline Courtney has passed away | Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps | Daytime Soap Interviews, News, Updates and Previews, Video and Audio Interviews

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36 December 29th, 2010 AW & OLTL Soap legend, Jacqueline Courtney has passed away

Very sad news to report as we close out 2010 from Soap Opera Digest today. Soap opera superstar of the 60′s, 70′s, and 80′s, Jacqueline Courtney (pictured here in a scene from OLTL with Erika Slezak) who made Alice Frame a household word on NBC’s Another World has passed away. Apparently the reports say that Jacqueline passed away on December 20 of metastatic melanoma.

“Any letter that she wrote to people recently ended with, ‘Stay out of the sun. Wear sunscreen,’ ” her daughter, Jennifer, told Soap Opera Digest. “She was very healthy her whole life and then suddenly everything just started snowballing. She went really quickly. She had just turned 64, so she was still pretty young.”

Courtney was half of the supercouple of Alice and Steve Frame, opposite George Reinholt on Another World. Jackie played the role from 1964-1975, and again from 1984-1985. Big news happened for One Life to Live, when the show lured Courtney, after she was dismissed from AW over to Llanview, and Reinholt followed shortly thereafter to try to rekindle their magic on the ABC network. At OLTL, Courtney played Pat Ashley and later her evil twin, Maggie, and Reinholt played Tony Lord, Viki’s brother. Pat was also one time romantically involved with Bo Buchanan, who is still played today by Robert S. Woods. Courtney retired from acting in 1987.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jacqueline’s family and friends as she was one of the most widely recognized heroine’s in the daytime soap opera medium.

Tags: Alice Frame, Another World, Bo Buchanan, erika slezak, George Reinholt, Jacqueline Courtney, Maggie Ashley, One Life To Live, Pat Ashley, Robert S. Woods, Soap Opera Digest, Steven Frame

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Shelley says:

December 29, 2010 at 7:57 pm

I loved her on OLTL ! God Bless her!

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Jackie Adams replied January 24th, 2011 at 9:03 am
Jacqueline Courtney was, one of the greatest actress ever to have come to soap’s she had a special way about her and how she treated people as well. Jacqueline seem to love her work as an actress, and her many staffer’s will really miss her as well may God be with her and her family you will for ever be in our prayers.

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cher says:

December 30, 2010 at 3:42 am

We have lost a great many wonderful soap performers in the last year. Jackie was a true legend. I watched her when I was a little girl. She and George were great together.

RIP

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Jackie Adams replied January 24th, 2011 at 9:05 am
Cher we have lost so many great people but we will never forget them and their love and the love we had in our hearts for them as well.

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mmc says:

December 30, 2010 at 5:04 am

I remember her .A great actress. So sad1

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Brian says:

December 30, 2010 at 1:44 pm

OMG! RIP To My School Boy Crush Jacqueline! She Was Alice Matthews Frame Gordon!

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Brian says:

December 31, 2010 at 12:21 pm

I remember Pat Ashley well, Jacqueline was a wonderful in that roll. Sad regards to her family.

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RICKIE says:

January 3, 2011 at 12:56 pm

The loss of this legendary actress has been understated. Jacquie Courtney was a major star and — despite Harding Lemay’s scathing comments in his 1981 book — a truly wonderful actress.

Those of us who grew up with Alice Matthews understood Jacquie’s magic! Rachel wasn’t so much the spoiler in the Steve/Alice romance, but Alice’s fear to love such a dynamic, worldly man and her reluctance to give of herself after having witnessed her older sister Pat’s earlier, tragic mistakes. Jacquie portrayed this push-pull range of emotions beautifully. And her turn as Pat Kendall on “One Life to Live” was proof of her versatility as an actress. Jacquie abandoned the fragility and reserve she conveyed as Alice to flesh out Pat Kendall, a strident career woman, single mother and modern heroine. Her chemistry with child actors (Mike Hammett, Cathy Greene, Stephen Austin, Gregory Marc Schaffer, Trevor Richard) was genuine and tender, and her chemistry with her leading men (George Reinholt, James Douglas, Tom Fuccello, John Mansfield, Robin Thomas) made these actors shine.

Jacquie is, and always will be, my favorite serial actress. Rest in peace, JC… you will be missed and remembered with great fondness.

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JustJenn says:

January 9, 2011 at 4:43 pm

I have been incredibly touched by the sentiments and stories shared by those who remember her on so many websites and message boards. THANK YOU!! My mother would never have believed anybody really remembered her, let alone cared. She always said, “That was so long ago!” The comments that everyone has taken the time to write have simultaneously brought smiles and tears to my face. My mother was an amazing individual, so strong and giving and funny…if I could be just half the woman she was, I would consider myself blessed. And your many lovely remarks make me feel blessed, as well!

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mmc replied January 15th, 2011 at 9:25 am
I loved your wonderful Mother on Another World…..and we never forgot her.You are blessed for having such a beautiful and talented lady for a Mom and she was blessed for having such a lovely daughter.I send my condolences and loving thoughts to you in memory of your dear Mother!

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Kathy replied January 17th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
I so loved your mother on Another World. I grew up with her – from age 11 to 22 – and I cried when Jacquie/Alice left the show. Her beauty and talent made the show so special while she was there! Very sorry for your loss, and ours. May she RIP.

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Michael replied February 22nd, 2011 at 10:00 pm
My deepest sympathies for the loss of your mom. I’m a guy in my late 40′s- yet I remember your mom’s work so vividly. She was a wonderful actress. I have great memories of watching Another World and the trials and tribulations of Steve and Alice-
wathching with my mom every afternoon. Alice was always suffering with disappointment,
and I remember that the actress portraying her could cry very convincingly. Years later, when I moved to New York to try my hand at acting, I bumped into your mom very quickly on the Upper West Side. I shouted out my admiration for her work, and she was very gracious and kind. Her talent was a source of great entertainment for soap lovers during what can only be considered the ‘golden’ period for this art form. Again- so sorry for your loss.

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Mike replied December 27th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
I spoke to your Mother on the phone about three years ago after sending a message through her (ex?) agency. She was the “Sweetheart of Crew E-10″ and sent all of the members of my B-52 crew autographed photos in 1974. We always watched her on Another World while we were on alert. She couldn’t have been nicer on the phone and seemed so humble when I told her how much we all appreciated her kindness. I still have the photo to the crew and another she signed to me if you’d like to see them. May she rest in peace.

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Jennifer replied January 31st, 2012 at 2:27 pm
I remember her telling me this, though I had forgotten she spoke to someone. She was stunned and honored by what you did back then as well as your current request to make an appearance. I’m sure she told you she didn’t want to sully your memory of the way she was by seeing how much she’d changed. Believe me, however she came off in the phonecall was truly honest. She truly was so touched and surprised. I, too, felt such pride in hearing the story. I knew she meant a lot to many people, but I don’t think I realized quite HOW much. Thank you!
RICKIE says:

January 10, 2011 at 5:36 pm

Jennifer –

My deepest condolences. I know how much you meant to your mother… I still have stacks of Daytime TV, Afternoon TV and Daily TV Serials magazines not only announcing your birth, but your mother’s expressions of how her family always came first! (Your mom was my late mother’s favorite too! I remember we promptly switched to “One Life to Live” once Jacquie joined the cast!)

She was indeed an amazing actress and divine on-screen presence! I’ve NEVER forgotten her and will remember her always…

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Barbara says:

January 14, 2011 at 9:50 am

I started watching Another World from the onset. Jacqueline Courtney (Alice) was always my favorite character from the first show.
I often wondered what happened to my favorite actress. I loved the super couple of Alice and Steve.
It brought tears to my eyes when I read about the passing of this incredible, beautiful actress.
May God be with you and your family.

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kay killgore says:

January 14, 2011 at 6:13 pm

She and George Reinholt were indeed one of the first Super Couples! She was a wonderful actress!

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Nancy says:

January 15, 2011 at 12:52 pm

I always liked your mother, I was in her fan club ,watched her all the time . She was so good. so sorry this happened. A while ago I looked up on line to see what she was doing. Would have liked to have seen her on T.V again.

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Sue says:

January 16, 2011 at 2:21 pm

Haven’t heard her name in years but I knew who she was when I saw her on Find a Grave for last year. I used to watch Another World with my Mom. She would remember her too if she wasn’t suffering from Alzheimer’s. She was a great talent and a household name back them and anyone who watched AW would remember who she was.

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J Laughlan says:

January 17, 2011 at 5:32 pm

So sorry to hear the sad news – she was wonderful and I loved the triangle on Another World – really brought back my teen years. Also loved her on One Life – wish we could have seen more of her. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

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Terri says:

January 18, 2011 at 3:45 pm

I was so sad to hear about Jacqueline Courtney. I was a big fan, and even named my daughter, Courtney, after. My sympathies to her family!

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Michael C. Lostutter says:

January 18, 2011 at 11:19 pm

I think your mom was the reason why I was so attracted to blondes when I was in junior high and high school! She was a beautiful woman, in body mind and soul, and a far better actress than what some gave her credit for. The fact that she was able to play two very different people in Alice and Pat is a testimony to that! I lost my own love to cancer back in July, so you and all of those who knew her and are grieving are in my thoughts and prayers. Does this passing get easier? If it does, I’ll let you know. I will say this — you’ll remember more of the good than the bad as time goes by.

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mary says:

January 20, 2011 at 4:44 pm

I LOVED JACQUIE SHE WAS REALLY A BEAUTIFUL LADY,I WATCHED HER ON AW AS ALICE SHE WAS SUPER!!!!!!!

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mary says:

January 23, 2011 at 10:16 am

i don’t know why they don’t have more photos of her.

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John Cohan Psychic to the Stars says:

January 23, 2011 at 2:19 pm

Jacquie was an Earth Angel.I first became friends with her when she did “Another World” She was so gratefull for my “Readings”….She was a devoted friend to George Reinholt.I admired her sticking by him when producer of the show always crucified him.Because of her friendship she was fired.Jacquie left with dignity and was not sorry she made that sacrafice..Her profound soulfullness of playing Alice Mathews Frame was one of a kind…..I loved and adore Jacquie…Bravo Dearheart you will never,ever be forgotten…..

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mary says:

January 24, 2011 at 3:38 pm

I DON’T KNOW WHY AW FIRED HER BUT THEIR LOSS WAS ONE LIFE TO LIVE’S GAIN!

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Terry says:

February 6, 2011 at 3:15 pm

Jacqueline Courtney was a beautiful women and wonderful actress. I loved her role as Alice Matthews (Frame) on AW. I have often look for information and pictures of Jackie, but couldn’t find anything. I have viewed a few scenes on Youtube just be get a glimpse of this fine actress.

May you rest in peace. You are gone from this world but not forgotten.

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Greg says:

February 12, 2011 at 9:05 am

Im so sad to hear of Jacqueline’s death….I always enjoyed her in One LIfe To Live. Never really watched Another World but I can only imagine she did a bang up job on that show too.

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Keith says:

February 12, 2011 at 9:13 pm

I was so very sad to hear of Jacqueline Courtney’s passing. I watched AW from day one. It was never the same once she and George Reinholt left the show. The producers would have done well to have worked out their differences with these fine actors and kept the Steve, Alice, Rachel triangle going for the whole run of the show. I never watched One Life to Live but I know she was great on that show as well. God Bless her family during this difficult time. We will forever remember Steve and Alice as portrayed so brilliantly by Jackie Courtney and George Reinholt.

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PuebloLo says:

July 21, 2011 at 10:45 am

I just by chance ran across this and somehow, I had not heard of this lovely and highly talented actress’ death. I watched Another World from the day it began until the day it ended, which was a very sad day. I was a little girl just starting school, but still remember it so vividly. One storyline I will NEVER forget was the one in which Steve and Alice were about to be married. Rachel [played so briliantly by Robin Strasser initially!] was married to Alice’s brother, Dr. Russ Matthews. However, Rachel was in love with Steve and wanted him so desperately. As Alice was putting on her wedding dress and waiting in her bedroom, a pregnant Rachel came in and proceeded to tell Alice that she was carrying Steve’s, not Russ’, baby. I remember so vividly the great acting between the women, their emotions, their faces, their reactions. It was one of the most riveting moments EVER in modern soap opera history. Rachel’s cold evilness to destroy Alice was played brilliantly by Strasser and Courney’s shattered Alice was heartwretching and realistic. Outstanding, the likes of which has seldom been replicated. I also eventually became a viewer of One Life To Live and was able to follow Ms. Courtney through her time there, too. Again, beautiful woman, excellent actress. Thank you for memorable moments.

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Jennifer replied January 31st, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Thank you for sharing your memory so many months after my mother’s death. I appreciate hearing “strangers” share their positive memories of the impact my mother had on them.

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Barbara Morrow says:

December 31, 2011 at 11:18 am

I always thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I had been watching soaps since I was 9. One day I walked into a store and the clerk was staring at me and said “Hey, aren’t you that beautiful star on One Life to Live – Jacqueline Courtney?” I blushed and said no, but, it was the nicest compliment I have EVER received! She was so remarkably talented and I have missed seeing her for years. May God rest her precious soul!

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Jennifer replied January 31st, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Thanks…I know what you mean! Anytime someone tells me I look like my mother, I (a) find it hard to believe since I thought she was so incredibly beautiful and (b) take it as a huge compliment.

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christine cross says:

March 20, 2012 at 8:09 pm

Jennifer,
I feel so sad that my Alice, your mom, has passed. I grew up running home from school rushing to watch Another World, not because of Steve Frame, or sister Pat, but because of your mom. She was an unbelievable/ believable actress, that seemed to be so sensitive, passionate, and really knew her character so well that I was totally convinced that Alice really did exist. My mom always wanted me to grow up and be a nurse, but, I knew she wanted me to be Alice, not a nurse, so I grew up and I am a painter. I love what I do , and I believe your mom loved her art form as well. I just have the best memories of her and that time period when she was on Another World. I needed to tell you, and I hope Jacqueline’s little girl is healing. Love, Christine Cross

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BryanM says:

November 10, 2012 at 10:59 pm

For Jennifer – I was just a little guy back in the 1970s when I started watching One Life to Live [we only had one tv & my mom was a die-hard fan!] and I have never forgotten the “lady who’s prettier than Charlie’s Angels” as I used to say – and it’s clear from the comments here that she was just as beautiful on the inside…she will never be forgotten.

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Tricia says:

August 26, 2013 at 3:03 pm

Jennifer – your mom was a wonderful actress who touched many of our lives. As a young girl “Steve and Alice” were my first loves. When your mom left AW and joined One Life to Live, my mom and I switched right along with her. The scenes when her son Brian died were heart-wrenching. She deserved the Emmy along with Judith Light that year.

I also lost my mom to cancer, so know how hard that is. I am sure your mom is as proud of you as my mom is of me.

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