Jean Bruce Scott was a regular fixture on American television screens in the 1980s. The retired actress, 70, shot to fame playing Jessica Blake in the hit soap opera Days of Our Lives, before landing a role in the popular action thriller series, Airwolf.
But after a string of leading roles in primetime shows, Jean decided to turn her back on Tinseltown in pursuit of a new career. Keep reading to discover all we know about Jean's life in San Diego…
© CBS via Getty ImagesJean Bruce Scott's acting career and Airwolf fame
Jean's breakout role came in 1980 when she was cast as Jessica Blake in the soap opera Days of Our Lives. The actress starred on the show until 1982, later reprising the role for four episodes 30 years later in 2012.
The same year she left Days of Our Lives, Jean landed a recurring role in the iconic crime drama, Magnum P.I., playing Maggie Poole for ten episodes between seasons three and eight.
© NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal viaIn 1984, she was cast in what would become her most notable role: former Texas Highway Patrol helicopter pilot Caitlin O'Shannessy in Airwolf. After her four-year stint on the show, Jean landed a string of guest appearances in shows like Matlock and MacGyver.
Her last major role was playing Colleen Russo R.N. in the soap opera Port Charles from 2000 to 2003.
In July 2025, Jean returned to acting to star in the University of Idaho production of Driving Miss Daisy. Taking to Instagram following the successful run, Jean penned: "As many of you know, I'm 69 and haven't been on stage in years. So this was a particularly meaningful experience for me with an incredible group of artists and team of creatives who transported us back to Atlanta, Georgia for the turbulent two and a half decades of 1948-1973!"
The actress added that the cast was met with "full houses and standing ovations," adding: "It was overwhelming and heartening to know we'd struck a nerve."
Jean Bruce Scott's life after Hollywood
Jean traded in the bright lights of Hollywood in the late 1980s for a college education.
After studying at California State University and the University of Maryland, Jean began teaching acting at Illinois State University in 1993.
© CBS via Getty ImagesJean is the co-founder of Native Voices at the Autry, a programme devoted to developing and producing new plays by Native American playwrights. She spent more than 25 years as the program's Producing Executive Director.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Jean currently works as a freelance producer, writer, actor, and dramaturg, and is "living the dream" in San Diego, California.
Jean Bruce Scott's family life
In 1980, Jean married TV writer Robert Colman. Nine years later, she tied the knot with director and playwright, Randy Reinholz, whom she co-created Native Voices with.
