Victoria Jackson - Acting and Comedy

Acting and Comedy

Appearing in summer stock in Alabama led to a chance meeting with Johnny Crawford (of the 1950s television series, The Rifleman), who cast her in his night club act. She moved to Los Angeles where she supported herself with various day jobs as a cigarette girl, a typist at the American Cancer Society, and a waitress, while she performed comedy at night. Her first big break was her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson where she performed what would become her signature act: doing a handstand while reciting poetry. She ultimately appeared on the show 20 times. Before being cast on SNL, she appeared on various television series including The Jeffersons and co-starred in the pilot W*A*L*T*E*R, a M*A*S*H spin-off.