‘Charlie’s Angels’ Star Kate Jackson Explains Why She Left the Spotlight for Life on a Farm

Erica LoopTue, April 28, 2026 at 12:21 AM UTC

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Charlie’s Angels star Kate Jackson made a bold move at the height of her career. The TV star was already an icon, and then… poof, disappeared from the media spotlight. And if you’re wondering where she went, Jackson recently answered your question.

People first reported that the actress opened up during the Charlie’s Angels 50th Anniversary Celebration panel at PaleyFest LA 2026 about her decision to leave Hollywood. Jackson shared the challenges she faced as a working mom, saying, “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.’ “ As most parents know, it isn't easy to balance a career and family.

Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, 1976. (Photo by FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images)

So, where did the TV star go? While she is best known for her role as Sabrina Duncan on the 1970s hit Charlie’s Angels, this certainly wasn’t Jackson’s lone television credit. The 77-year-old has an expansive resume, including Dark Shadows, The Rookies, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, and Baby Boom. Along with acting, Jackson also directed two episodes of Scarecrow and Mrs. King before leaving Los Angeles to spend more time with her son.

Even though she called Hollywood home for years, Jackson eventually moved to a farm outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, in the 1990s.

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Who is Kate Jackson’s Child?

The Charlie’s Angel star has one child. She adopted her son, Charles Taylor Jackson, in 1995. Jackson opened up to Varietyin 1996, revealing a celebrity source of help during the process. “My whole life has changed—thanks to Rosie O’Donnell.” Jackson continued, crediting the comedian, “Rosie put me in touch with the right people.”

She also shared how motherhood changed her, saying, “I’ve become a different person: I never knew I could be so patient. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.” And as it turns out, Rosie wasn’t the only famous person connected to Jackson’s kiddo. The actress’s former Charlie’s Angels co-star, Jaclyn Smith, is her son’s godmother. Jackson is also godmother to Smith’s daughter.

Fans of O’Donnell probably aren’t surprised that the comedian had a hand in Jackson’s adoption process. O’Donnell famously adopted all five of her children. The actress//talk show host adopted her eldest son, Parker O’Donnell, the same year (1995) that Jackson adopted Charles. Rosie went on to adopt daughter Chelsea Belle O’Donnell in 1997, son Blake Christopher O’Donnell in 1999, Vivienne O’Donnell in 2002 (Vivi is the biological child of O’Donnell’s first wife, Kelli Carpenter), and Clay O’Donnell in 2013.

This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”