Kate Jackson Recalls Walking Away from Hollywood to Become a Full-Time Mom
Kate Jackson Recalls Walking Away from Hollywood to Become a Full-Time Mom
Caroline Killilea, Brianne TracySun, April 26, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC
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Kate Jackson at PaleyFest LA 2026Credit: LisaAFF-USA/Shutterstock -
Kate Jackson reflected on stepping away from Hollywood to focus on motherhood during a Charlie's Angels 50th anniversary reunion event at PaleyFest LA 2026
“I realized that I really couldn’t be a good director and a good mom at the same time,” Jackson said during a panel
Jackson also said she is ready to return to acting and directing after prioritizing full-time motherhood for years
Kate Jackson opened up about her decision to step away from Hollywood.
The Charlie's Angels star, 77, sat down with journalist George Pennacchio for a panel with costars Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd at PaleyFest LA 2026 on April 6. During their Charlie's Angels 50th Anniversary Celebration panel, Jackson discussed struggling to balance her career and motherhood — and how it ultimately led to her acting hiatus.
“I realized that I really couldn't be a good director and a good mom at the same time. And I thought, ‘If I'm not a good mom, it really doesn't matter what else I do well,’ ” Jackson said.
Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd at PaleyFest LA 2026Credit: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
She had adopted her son, Charles, in 1995. He was born in 1982.
The star began her acting career in 1970 with her television debut on the soap opera Dark Shadows. Jackson then went on to star in crime drama The Rookies before stepping into the role of Sabrina Duncan in the Charlie's Angels TV series, which ran for five seasons from 1976 to 1981.
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Kate Jackson in 'Charlie's Angels' (1976)Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
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Jackson also tried her hand at directing in 1986 for the show Scarecrow and Mrs. King, which she also starred in. She "loved it," she said, despite the long hours.
"We shot all night. I got home real early in the morning, and my son was very little," she recalled.
Jackson added that she's "glad" she decided to put her career on pause to focus on full-time parenting. But now she's ready for her return to her career.
"I'm ready to go back," Jackson admitted.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
