Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacklyn Zeman.
Jacklyn, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in a family of five people, one cat, and one dog. My sisters, Lauren and Carol and I are close in age so we shared many good times together and we had a wide circle of friends. We had a lovely rich style house and a swimming pool in our backyard. We had “family time” together every night except on Saturdays which was “date night” for our Mom and Dad. We shared family vacations together, always, and we went sailing, swimming, waterskiing, camping, and sometimes target shooting. It was an idyllic childhood.
My sisters and I were all good students and we were involved in lots of extra activities in our community. We also took lessons to study subjects and activities that were of special interest to us. I loved dancing! It challenged, excited, and enriched my soul. So, three times a week my Momma would drive me to dance lessons where I would learn ballet, jazz, tap, and acrobatics. We had an excellent Drama Department at our school so I took classes there, auditioned for, and was cast in all the plays. This made me very happy because I enjoyed the process so much. It never worked. It was all play. I was awarded a Dance scholarship to NYU when I turned 15.
Two years later I went to Caracas, Venezuela to work as a dancer. I’ve always loved to travel so this was very exciting for me. When I returned to the USA I continued with my studies, auditioned often, worked a lot, and made enough money to pay for my classes and have a nice apartment in New York City. I auditioned for The Schaffer Music Festival which was being held in Central Park and was hired to be a “K Dancer” for “Murray the K” Kaufman who was Master of Ceremonies for the show. We became friends, worked together often, fell in love and eventually married.
During this time I was also modeling, and working as a spokesperson for various products and trade shows. I booked a couple of commercials which, luckily for me, ran for several years and paid a lot of residuals. This money afforded me the luxurious ability to take all the classes that my heart desired. I had always enjoyed watching the “Soaps” with my Mom and Grandma. One sunny afternoon, as Murray and I were snacking at a Bagel Nosh across the street from our apartment, it occurred to me that it would be fun and fabulous to land a role on a Daytime Soap.
The following week I was cast in a small part (I had less than 5 lines) on the ABC Soap ‘One Life to Live”. I did my best to make the most out of my brief appearance. I had been taking acting lessons and I guess my studies served me well because a few days after my short scene aired, Doris Quinlan, the Producer, told me that the character I had created would be a good fit for the show. The ‘Powers that Be’ at ABC Network were offering me a contract to join the cast as a regular player to appear on the show in a storyline with Jameson Parker. Needless to say, I was thrilled and signed on without hesitation.
As my time on OLTL was coming to an end, the ‘Powers that Be’ at ABC once again contacted me with an offer to play the role of Barbara Jean Spencer on “General Hospital”. The GH set was on the Desilu lot where all the ‘I Love Lucy’ shows had been filmed. How exciting! And the timing was perfect as Murray was Special Consultant for the Broadway show “Beatlemania” which was about to open at the Schubert Theatre in Los Angeles. So we packed our bags and headed for Hollywood to work, and Beverly Hills to live. with our German Shepherd dog Ruffian.
I had no idea that the three-year deal I had signed to play “Bobbie Spencer” would become a 40+ year Principal role on such a popular show. Over the years I have appeared in over 6,000 episodes. I feel blessed to play with such a talented family of Actors, Producers, Directors and Writers. I have two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey Rose whom I love dearly. They fill my heart and soul with love and light. Working on a Daytime Soap has been, and continues to be, a wonderful and much-appreciated opportunity to work in La and be home in the evenings to spend time with my family.
When my daughters were in school and living at home, we carried on the family tradition of always sharing dinner, all together, every evening. I believe that balance between my professional responsibilities and quality time with family has been the key to a great life for my family and me. Currently, in addition to celebrating my 40+ years on GH, I am also appearing as “Sofia Madison” on “The Bay” which airs on Amazon. Gregori Martin our Producer created this role for me seven years ago and our show is doing well. Our Producers have recently secured International Distribution and I am looking forward to shooting on location overseas with our Bay family.
I also Guest Star in a recurring role on “Misguided” a web series comedy Produced and written by Paul Gosselin. I have been invited to return for the new season and I am excited to see where the storyline will take us. Currently, I am Co-Hosting a new show: “Make This Place Your Home” #MTPYH for TLC with Co-Host Jaime Laurita. My dear friend Robin Leach contacted me several months ago to Co-Host a decorating type show for WGST. I have always had a passion for interior design. My Grandfather was an Architect so maybe it’s in my genes. Over the years I have decorated many homes for myself, my family, and for friends.
This opportunity is a precious gift as it allows me to combine my creative talents and my passion for design and travel. Every week Jaime and I will show our clients and our viewers how to “Make This Place Your Home” by creating warm, wonderful, and beautiful environments by adding a unique and very personal touch. I have always believed that “Home is where the heart is”, Our show is an absolute example of this truth. We will air on TLC Saturdays mornings at 9:00 AM beginning in September 2018.
So far, this has been a productive, exciting, and exceptionally busy time for me. I am looking forward to whatever the future holds as we move forward.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No road is ever perfectly smooth. And no life is ever free of struggles along the way. But I believe that much of our power lies in our perception and the thoughts that we think and choose to create it.
When my daughters were growing up I would tell them that the power of decision is a most valuable asset. I would remind them often to choose wisely with a kind heart and positive intentions. They have learned this lesson well and I am very proud of my Girls. They are beautiful, intelligent, productive young women with open hearts and shining spirits. They contribute to the world in so many ways.
As they were growing up, I recall reminding them often that “Happiness is a choice”. Surely, it is the way to live your best life. With this thought in mind, I would like to share the wisdom of a few of my favorite quotes from Mahatma Gandhi. “It is the purpose of our lives to be happy.” “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” “Where there is love there is life.” These beliefs ring true for me and for my daughters every day of our lives.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jacklyn Zeman, Actress – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I have been on television for over 40 years and as a result of my good fortune, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the best and most highly qualified Makeup Artists and Hairdressers in the business.
Cheryl Krebs my longtime BFF and I have recently created a collection of high-quality makeup brushes and a makeup case. Our company is Jacklyn Zeman Beauty and we are online at http://jacklynzemanbeauty.com.
We are very proud of our brushes and the feedback has been a very positive response. We plan to develop and add more products as we move forward.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am looking forward to the launch of “Make This Place Your Home”. We are preparing our episodes now and will continue to produce episodes throughout the rest of this year. The homes that we will be featuring are in a variety of locations in the USA. Travel….. Design…… Searching for treasures….. Yes!! I am looking forward to all of it.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8484 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 750 Beverly Hills, Ca 90211
16255 Ventura Blvd Suite 625 Encino, Ca 91436 - Website: https://www.mtpyh.com
- Email: sid@thelevinagency.com; RH@celebci.com
- Phone: (323) 6537073; (818) 9955780
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacklyn.zeman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackie.zeman
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackieZeman
- Other: http://jacklynzemanbeauty.com
Image Credit:
Jim Warren
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