Jacqueline Carlin was an American actress whose career included appearances on Saturday Night Live, Bronk, Thank God It’s Friday and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. She is also remembered for her four-year marriage to comedian and actor Chevy Chase during the early years of his rise to fame.
Although Carlin had a relatively small acting résumé, she was connected to an important period in American television comedy. She appeared on the very first episode of Saturday Night Live in October 1975 and made additional appearances during the show's first season.
Carlin later stepped away from the entertainment spotlight. She died in 2021 at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer, according to her published obituary.
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Jacqueline Mary Carlin Melcher |
| Known As | Jacqueline Carlin |
| Profession | Actress |
| Born | November 20, 1942 |
| Birthplace | Caldwell, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | July 1, 2021 |
| Age at Death | 78 |
| Place of Death | Carmel, California, U.S. |
| Known For | Saturday Night Live, Bronk, Thank God It’s Friday |
| SNL Connection | Appeared during the show's first season, including its premiere |
| Second Husband | Chevy Chase |
| Marriage to Chevy Chase | 1976–1980 |
| Other Husband | Terry Melcher |
| Child | Ryan Melcher |
| Education | Mount Saint Dominic Academy; Immaculata College |
| Cause of Death | Cancer, according to her obituary |
| Net Worth | Not reliably publicly documented |
Early Life and Background
Jacqueline Mary Carlin was born on November 20, 1942, in Caldwell, New Jersey, according to her obituary and biographical records. She was one of four siblings in the Carlin family.
Her family obituary records that she attended Saint Aloysius grammar school in Caldwell and Mount Saint Dominic Academy. She later attended Immaculata College in Washington, D.C.
Carlin's early life was rooted in New Jersey before she moved toward an entertainment career. Her acting work eventually brought her to television at a time when American comedy was undergoing a major change.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Acting Career
Carlin worked primarily in television and made a number of appearances during the 1970s.
Her documented credits include the television series Bronk, the film Thank God It's Friday and appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. TV Guide lists her as an actress with credits in Bronk, Thank God It's Friday and Saturday Night Live.
Her Bronk credit was for the role of Sarah, while in Thank God It's Friday she was credited as the Blonde in Blue Blouse.
Her most historically notable television connection was Saturday Night Live.
Jacqueline Carlin and Saturday Night Live
Carlin appeared during the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live, which premiered on October 11, 1975, originally under the title NBC's Saturday Night.
She appeared in the first episode, which was hosted by comedian George Carlin and featured Billy Preston and Janis Ian as musical guests. The episode's surviving transcript identifies Jacqueline Carlin as the "Woman with book" in the sketch "Academy of Better Careers."
She also appeared in subsequent episodes during the show's first season. Her credits included parts such as a swimmer, student and wife in various sketches.
Carlin's appearance in the premiere has also been noted because she was among the earliest women to appear on the program. IMDb's biography describes her as the first female actor to appear on screen on Saturday Night Live.
It is worth distinguishing these appearances from membership in the show's original cast: Carlin was not one of the credited "Not Ready for Prime Time Players." Rather, she appeared in sketches and cameos during the program's first season.
Marriage to Chevy Chase
Jacqueline Carlin married Chevy Chase on December 4, 1976. She became Chase's second wife, following his marriage to Susan Hewitt.
Their relationship coincided with an important stage in Chase's career. He had become one of the breakout performers associated with the newly launched Saturday Night Live, and the couple lived in California while Chase was establishing himself as a major comedy performer.
A 1977 Time profile of Chase described Carlin as a television actress and noted that the couple had made their home in the Hollywood Hills.
The marriage ended in divorce on November 14, 1980. They did not have children together.
Chase subsequently married Jayni Luke in 1982, and that marriage produced three daughters.
Life After Her Marriage to Chevy Chase
Carlin's life after her divorce from Chase was considerably more private than her earlier years in Hollywood.
She later married record producer Terry Melcher, the son of actress and singer Doris Day. Carlin and Melcher had one son, Ryan Melcher. Her obituary confirms that Ryan was her surviving son and that Melcher preceded her in death.
Carlin's marriage to Melcher also connected her to the entertainment industry, although she herself largely remained away from the public eye in her later years.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Later Years and Death
Jacqueline Carlin died on July 1, 2021, in Carmel, California, at the age of 78. Her obituary states that she had been battling cancer for a year and died peacefully in her sleep.
A published notice in the Carmel Pine Cone similarly records her dates as November 20, 1942, to July 1, 2021, and notes that a memorial service was held at Carmel Mission Basilica.
Her obituary focused on her family, friendships, faith and personality rather than her Hollywood connections. It identified her son Ryan and her sister Charity Walton-Masters among those closest to her during her final years.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Family
Carlin was the daughter of Edward Walter Carlin and Gertrude Elizabeth Carlin. Her obituary identifies her as one of four siblings.
She had one child, Ryan Melcher, from her marriage to Terry Melcher.
Her marriage to Chevy Chase did not produce children. Chase later had three daughters with his third wife, Jayni Chase.
Jacqueline Carlin Age
Jacqueline Carlin was 78 years old when she died in 2021. Her published obituary gives her date of birth as November 20, 1942, and her date of death as July 1, 2021.
Jacqueline Carlin Net Worth
There is no reliable public estimate of Jacqueline Carlin's personal net worth.
Online celebrity websites sometimes publish financial figures for Carlin, but those estimates are not supported by sufficiently authoritative financial records or statements. A specific net-worth figure therefore cannot be responsibly presented as fact.
Interesting Facts About Jacqueline Carlin
- Jacqueline Carlin appeared in the first episode of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975.
- Her first SNL episode was hosted by comedian George Carlin, although the two were not related.
- She appeared in several sketches during the show's first season rather than serving as one of the show's regular cast members.
- Her acting credits included Bronk and Thank God It's Friday.
- She was Chevy Chase's second wife, and they were married from 1976 until 1980.
- She later married record producer Terry Melcher and had a son, Ryan Melcher.
- Carlin died in Carmel, California, in July 2021 at age 78.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jacqueline Carlin
Who was Jacqueline Carlin?
Jacqueline Carlin was an American actress known for television appearances including Saturday Night Live, Bronk and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. She was also the second wife of comedian Chevy Chase.
Was Jacqueline Carlin married to Chevy Chase?
Yes. Carlin married Chevy Chase on December 4, 1976. Their marriage ended in divorce on November 14, 1980.
Did Jacqueline Carlin appear on Saturday Night Live?
Yes. Carlin appeared in the premiere episode of Saturday Night Live in October 1975 and made additional appearances during the show's first season.
What movies and TV shows was Jacqueline Carlin in?
Her documented credits include Thank God It's Friday, Bronk, Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Was Jacqueline Carlin related to George Carlin?
No. Despite appearing on the first episode of Saturday Night Live, which George Carlin hosted, Jacqueline Carlin was not related to the comedian.
Did Jacqueline Carlin have children?
Yes. She had one son, Ryan Melcher, from her marriage to record producer Terry Melcher.
When did Jacqueline Carlin die?
Jacqueline Carlin died on July 1, 2021, in Carmel, California. She was 78. Her obituary states that she had been battling cancer for approximately a year.
Conclusion
Jacqueline Carlin's public legacy rests on two closely connected chapters: her work as a television actress during the 1970s and her marriage to Chevy Chase during the early years of his rise in comedy.
Her appearances on the first season of Saturday Night Live give her a small but genuine place in the history of the influential comedy program. Away from Hollywood, Carlin later built a family life with Terry Melcher and their son, Ryan. She died in 2021 at 78, leaving behind a career that was brief but connected to one of American television's most significant comedy eras.
