1. Her acting gig out of school was a role on Dark Shadows.

The Alabama native began her college education at the University of Mississippi, but she eventually bolted for New York City and studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Jackson honed her skills in summer stage shows. After graduation, she landed her first role on the popular daytime vampire soap opera Dark Shadows. She later admitted in an interview that it was one of her first ever auditions. Playing the ghost Tracy Collins, Jackson did not speak for her first five weeks or so on the show. Eventually, she got some dialogue… and a role in the spin-off movie Night of Dark Shadows.

Image: The Everett Collection

2. She came up with the name "Angels."

After her popular role on the series The Rookies (more on that below), producer Aaron Spelling secured Jackson as the centerpiece of his next series, an action show about three female private investigators. The working title was The Alley Cats. But Jackson, who had some creative say in the development, was no fan of the title. In one meeting, she looked at a painting of cherubs hanging behind Spelling's desk and suggested, "How about Angels?" The show then became Harry's Angels, but the existence of a series called Harry O forced the final edit to Charlie's Angels.

Image: The Everett Collection

3. She was first cast as Kelly, not Sabrina.

Oh, about the origins of Charlie's Angels, there's just one major difference between the pilot development and the final product — Kate Jackson was pegged to play Kelly Garrett. For this reason, Kelly was the main character in the script for the 1976 made-for-TV movie Charlie's Angels. But late in development, Jackson jumped roles to Sabrina and Jaclyn Smith became Kelly.

4. She had to turn down the role that made Meryl Streep's career.

The wild success of Charlie's Angels opened doors for Kate Jackson. She scored the role in emotional 1979 drama Kramer vs. Kramer alongside Dustin Hoffman. However, Jackson was contractually obligated to the shooting schedule of Charlie's Angels. The producers would not accommodate her shooting Kramer vs. Kramer. She was forced to drop out of the film. Up-and-comer Meryl Streep filled in the role — winning the Oscar for Best Actress in the highest-grossing movie of the year.

Image: Columbia Pictures

5. She went from NBC page to hosting Saturday Night Live.

In 1979, Jackson did get to show off her acting range as the host of Saturday Night Live. She certainly knew her way around 30 Rock. Back in her college days, Jackson worked at NBC as a page. Talk about working your way up the ladder. 

Image: The Everett Collection

6. The necklace she bought for SNL became a big part of her Scarecrow and Mrs. King wardrobe.

Notice the necklace Jackson wore on SNL? It was a heart-shaped diamond pendant that she purchased to add some contrasting sparkle to her black outfit. Jackson not only kept the necklace, she frequently wore it in her role as Amanda King on Scarecrow and Mrs. King. You can see it here. 

Image: Warner Bros.

7. She was in one of the first movies about the effects of the Vietnam War.

Let's rewind a bit. In 1972, Jackson starred in a film called Limbo. While not terribly popular or acclaimed, the movie does hold some historical importance. Jackson portrayed the wife of MIA soldier in the Vietnam War. The war would continue to be waged for three more years, making this one not only one of the first Vietnam movies in general but a trailblazer in terms of focusing on the emotional toll back home in the States.

Image: The Everett Collection

8. Sam Melville played her husband on two different shows.

Earlier we mentioned The Rookies, the 1972–76 series centering around three young men serving in the fictional Southern California Police Department. Jackson landed the role of Jill Danko, a nurse and wife to officer Mike Danko, played by Sam Melville. By the fourth season, Jackson was receiving the most fan mail of any actor on the show. That's what gave her the clout heading into Charlie's Angels. Well, Jackson and Melville must have had some chemistry, as the two teamed up again on Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Melville appeared a handful of times as Joe King, Amanda's ex-husband.

Image: The Everett Collection

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