Jackie Lynn Taylor: Movies & Filmography

Jacklyn DeVon Taylor, professionally known as Jackie Lynn Taylor, was an American child actress who became a familiar face in early Hollywood productions during the 1930s. Born on June 29, 1925, in Compton, California, she began her entertainment career at a young age and appeared in five Our Gang short subjects between 1934 and 1935. In these classic comedies, she frequently portrayed the sister or girlfriend of one of the boys, most often Wally Albright, establishing herself as a recognizable young performer in the beloved series. After her initial film work, Taylor transitioned into television, joining KTTV in 1951 as the hostess of the first daily two-hour variety show in the Los Angeles area. For over a decade, she hosted the top-rated television show in the San Diego area, demonstrating her versatility and lasting appeal in the entertainment industry. Her career extended well beyond acting, as she also directed and produced television programs while performing in over 75 movies, numerous TV dramas, and various national commercials. In her personal life, Taylor married actor and acting teacher Ben Bard in 1948, though the couple divorced in 1954. She later married television producer and journalist Jack Fries in 1966, and their partnership lasted an impressive 48 years until her death. Together, they produced and co-hosted Little Rascals Family Theater, which aired in Southern California from the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s, featuring interviews with former Our Gang members as adults. In 1975, the couple moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to study for the ministry, with Jack being ordained in 1977 and Jackie in 1979. They served churches in several locations, including Missouri, California, and Nevada, before eventually retiring in Sacramento. Both taught Voice Power Dynamics at Sierra College in Rocklin, California, and operated their RascalandUSA.com website while speaking before service clubs and civic organizations throughout Northern California. The couple was also working on a joint autobiography titled Suddenly It's Tomorrow. Jackie Taylor Fries passed away from Alzheimer's disease on May 5, 2014, at the age of 88, in Citrus Heights, California, leaving behind a rich and multifaceted legacy in American entertainment history.