Bettye Ackerman
Ackerman withVince Edwards in 1960s television dramaBen Casey
Born	Bettye Louise Ackerman February 28, 1924 Cottageville, South Carolina U.S.
Died	November 1, 2006(2006-11-01) (aged 82) Columbia, South Carolina U.S.
Other names	Bettye Ackerman Jaffe
Occupations	Actress, artist
Years active	1953–1994
Spouse	Sam Jaffe ​ ​ (m. 1956; died 1984)​

Bettye Louise Ackerman (February 28, 1924 – November 1, 2006) was an American actress primarily known for her work ontelevision.

Ackerman was born inCottageville, South Carolina (another source says she was born in Williston, South Carolina),^[1] the daughter of Clarence Kilgo Ackerman and Mary Baker Ackerman, and grew up inWilliston, inBarnwell County in southwestern South Carolina, one of four children. She graduated fromColumbia College inSouth Carolina in 1945 and left forNew York City soon after. She studied theater at the graduate level atColumbia University^[2] in New York and pursued art studies withJoseph Mugnaini and George DeGroat atOtis Art Institute inLos Angeles.^[3]

From 1961 until 1966, Ackerman played Dr. Maggie Graham on theABCmedical dramaBen Casey. She played Anne Frazer onBracken's World and the original Constance MacKenzie on the daytime programReturn to Peyton Place.^[1] She appeared in an early episode of prime time soapFalcon Crest portraying the character of Elisabeth Bradbury. She also appeared in two episodes ofPerry Mason, starringRaymond Burr: in 1965. she played the role of Amy Reid in the episode, "The Case of the Thermal Thief," and in 1966. she played Laura Brandon in "The Case of the Positive Negative." In 1972, she appeared in theGunsmoke episode, “This Golden Land.” In 1977, she appeared in "Never Con a Killer," the pilot for theABC crime dramaThe Feather and Father Gang.

Ackerman played the title role in the one act playSalome, byOscar Wilde, as part of theAlexander Kirkland Acting Group. The production was released on Magic-Tone Records (CTG 4011). Ackerman'sBroadway credits includeA Meeting by the River (1979).^[4]

Ackerman's film debut came inFace of Fire in 1959.^[2]

On June 7, 1956, Ackerman, at 32, married her futureBen Casey co-starSam Jaffe, who was then 65. Although there was a 33-year difference in their ages, the couple had a very successful and happy marriage^[1] until Jaffe died ofcancer in 1984.^[5] They had no children.

She sold her home inBeverly Hills,California, and returned to South Carolina to be near her large extended family in 1998.^[6] Shortly afterwards, she was diagnosed withAlzheimer's disease.

Ackerman was also a noted artist, who had numerous exhibits in both Beverly Hills and Columbia, South Carolina.^[3]

Ackerman died November 1, 2006, after having suffered astroke inColumbia, South Carolina.^[6] She was 82.^[2]

She is buried inWilliston Cemetery in South Carolina.^[7]

• Bettye Ackerman atIMDb

• American television actresses
• Actresses from Columbia, South Carolina
• People from Williston, South Carolina
• Actresses from Beverly Hills, California
• 1924 births
• 2006 deaths
• 20th-century American actresses
• American film actresses
• Columbia College (South Carolina) alumni
• American United Methodists
• People from Colleton County, South Carolina
• 20th-century Methodists

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use American English from July 2020
• All Wikipedia articles written in American English
• Use mdy dates from December 2023
• Articles with hCards