Joyce Jillson
Encyclopedia
Joyce Jillson was a syndicated newspaper columnist, best-selling author, actress, and astrologer
. Her column was syndicated worldwide in over 200 papers and magazines.
Born in Cranston, Rhode Island
, Jillson attended Boston University
on an opera scholarship. She began her acting career in New York City
, where she appeared on Broadway
in the Anthony Newley
musical, The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd. She starred as Jill Smith in ABC Television
's top rated series Peyton Place
. She played the title role in the 1973 exploitation film, Superchick. She began presenting horoscope reports on Los Angeles television in 1973.
Jillson was the official astrologer for Twentieth Century Fox Studios, suggesting the most astrologically favorable dates for movie openings, including "Star Wars" on May 25, 1977. She was also the official astrologer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and was a media consultant to Ford Motor Company on the launch of the Ford Taurus.
Joyce was also a best selling non-fiction author, including such books as Real Women Don't Pump Gas, The Fine Art of Flirting, "A Year of Good Luck", and Joyce Jillson's Lifesigns. Her final manuscripts, Astrology for Dogs and Astrology for Cats were published posthumously.
, at age 58. She had been suffering from diabetes.
Astrologer
An astrologer practices one or more forms of astrology. Typically an astrologer draws a horoscope for the time of an event, such as a person's birth, and interprets celestial points and their placements at the time of the event to better understand someone, determine the auspiciousness of an...
. Her column was syndicated worldwide in over 200 papers and magazines.
Born in Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
, Jillson attended Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
on an opera scholarship. She began her acting career in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where she appeared on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in the Anthony Newley
Anthony Newley
Anthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
musical, The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd. She starred as Jill Smith in ABC Television
ABC Television
ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched in 1956. As a public broadcasting broadcaster, the ABC provides four non-commercial channels within Australia, and a partially advertising-funded satellite channel overseas....
's top rated series Peyton Place
Peyton Place (TV series)
Peyton Place is an American prime-time soap opera which aired on ABC in half-hour episodes from September 15, 1964 to June 2, 1969.Based upon the 1956 novel of the same name by Grace Metalious, the series was preceded by a 1957 film adaptation. A total of 514 episodes were broadcast, in...
. She played the title role in the 1973 exploitation film, Superchick. She began presenting horoscope reports on Los Angeles television in 1973.
Jillson was the official astrologer for Twentieth Century Fox Studios, suggesting the most astrologically favorable dates for movie openings, including "Star Wars" on May 25, 1977. She was also the official astrologer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and was a media consultant to Ford Motor Company on the launch of the Ford Taurus.
Joyce was also a best selling non-fiction author, including such books as Real Women Don't Pump Gas, The Fine Art of Flirting, "A Year of Good Luck", and Joyce Jillson's Lifesigns. Her final manuscripts, Astrology for Dogs and Astrology for Cats were published posthumously.
Personal life
Jillson was married to Joseph Gallagher from 1969 until their divorce in 1981. They had no children.Death
She died of kidney failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterCedars-Sinai Medical Center
Originally established as Kaspare Cohn Hospital in 1902, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is a non-profit, tertiary 958-bed hospital and multi-specialty academic health science centre located in Los Angeles, California, US. Part of the Cedars-Sinai Health System, the hospital employs a staff of over...
, at age 58. She had been suffering from diabetes.