Jacklyn Zeman

Jacklyn Zeman was born in Englewood, N.J. At the age of 15, she completed her high school studies and moved to the Big Apple on a dance scholarship from New York University. Her interest in dancing soon expanded to acting and three months after enrolling in a drama school that specialized in acting for the small screen, Zeman landed her first major soap role in 1976 as ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s drug-addicted Lana McClain.

After Lana’s untimely end, Zeman headed to Los Angeles to create the role of Bobbie Spencer, Luke’s hooker-with-a-heart-of gold sister, in 1977. Daytime Emmy nominations came in 1981, 1995 and 1997 as supporting actress and in 1998 as lead actress. Zeman’s Bobbie was involved in arguably one of the most moving daytime stories of the 1990s — the heart transplant story when B.J. (Bobbie’s daughter) was killed in a bus accident and her ailing cousin Maxie got her heart. As a result of this story, Zeman became involved in supporting public awareness programs for organ donors.

In addition to her work on television, Zeman has performed in off-Broadway and community productions including Come Blow Your Horn, Barefoot in the Park and The Boyfriend. Her feature film credits include National Lampoon’s Class Reunion and The Day the Music Died. She received critical acclaim for her starring role in the ABC Afterschool Special MONTANA CROSSROADS.

Zeman’s longtime interest in fitness and beauty has segued into involvements in infomercials, exercise videos, beauty products, jewelry and books including the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook and Beauty on the Go. She also supports a number of causes including the Leukemia Foundation (her father died of the disease) and the American Heart Association.