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Bettye Jaffe Obituary
Bettye Jaffe died at her home in Columbia on Nov. 1, four days after a stroke, said her brother Robert Ackerman.
Born Feb. 28, 1924, in Walterboro, Jaffe was the oldest of four children. She grew up in Williston, where her father was the schools superintendent. After earning a bachelor's degree from Columbia College in 1945, she moved to New York City and did graduate work in theater at Columbia University.
She made her film debut in the 1959 drama "Face of Fire" and made a number of guest appearances on TV series, including "Perry Mason" and "St. Elsewhere."
Jaffe met her husband, Sam, when they appeared together in a New York stage production of Moliere's "Tartuffe" in 1955. The couple married in 1956.
They often performed together, including on "Ben Casey." She played an anesthesiologist, and he played Dr. David Zorba on the series, which ended in 1966. Their last joint TV performance was on "The Love Boat."
Sam Jaffe died in 1984 at age 93.
In 1998, Bettye Jaffe sold her home in Beverly Hills, Calif., and moved to Columbia to be near family members. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease a few years later, her brother said.
Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press
21 Entries
September 13, 2019
God is a God of all Comfort...My heartfelt sympathy...
August 14, 2014
I saw Bettye on an episode of "The Waltons" today and remembered her fondly. In 1972, she and her husband Sam Jaffe appeared in the Baltimore "I am an American Day Parade." As I was leaving the parade, they were also exiting to their car, and they cordially signed my autograph book. I was only 11 years old, and remember being so happy!
January 1, 2014
I grew up hearing about Bettye as a tiny child during her father's brief stay in Branchville, SC. She was a neighbor, roughly the age of my Uncle Tommie. The family story goes that Bettye would often stick her head in screened porch door of my Grandmother's house and say, "Hit me!" Meaning my Uncle Tommie had hit her once again. Because of the family lore, we all watched Ben Casey to check out the Branchville girl (however briefly) who made good. This is a late posting, but today on ME TV they ran one of the episodes in which Bettye guest starred, so I was thinking about her.
Isabel Allgood Hunt
October 14, 2012
My mother and I were sitting here today and she was talking about her old friend from South Carolina and New York City, Bettye Ackerman. She was telling me about how Bettye's father hired her to teach in Williston for her first teaching job. That is where Mother first met Bettye. They became very good friends and then both moved to New York. My mother went to Juilliard for music and Columbia University also. They stayed in touch for several years. The last my mother heard was that she had married the most wonderful man. Mother enjoyed watching her on Ben Casey and so did we as children. Mother speaks of her often. She was one of my mother's finest friends. My mother is Isabel Allgood Hunt.
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Mary Kanada
June 30, 2012
To The Jaffe Family, with our deepest
condolences.
John 11: 1-44
Doris Martin
May 18, 2011
Bettye I miss all of our happy times. We had such a close bond and I will always cherish my memories of you. There are places in Columbia that I drive by and wish you were still here so we could have our dessert and glass of wine. I will always love and miss you my dear dear friend
Franny Smith
April 16, 2010
Dearest Bettye:
I miss your voice, your smile, and your encouragement. I know how much you missed Sam. You said on the day that he was buried that you only lived for the day you would be with him again. I went to Williston and sat near your your grave. I know you at peace and with the love of your life. You were and are noble and are a women of honor. Thank you for being in my life and teaching me to be an honorable person such as yourself. I will meet you on the other side with all my love and graditude.
April 1, 2010
For Bettye...
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California
Arlene Frasier
September 4, 2008
Few people realize that Betty was not just a well know actress but also a loving and dedicated person who brough great happiness to handicap children through her work with MDA and CFS. Bettye was extraordinary. I miss her very much. She is a person to be celebrated.
Melvin Bell
December 4, 2007
I wasn't aware that Bettye's earthly remains were brought back to Williston for internment. The next time I am in The Cemetery where my Parents's earthly remains are interred I shall visit your site also Bettye. We are glad you chose to come home.
Neil Rice
September 9, 2007
What a classy lady. I loved watching Ben Casey when I was in grammar school in the 60's. It was one of the reasons I became a nurse many years later.
Thanks Bettye.
Janet E. Mc Donald
February 21, 2007
She will be missed, I enjoyed
watching her in Ben Casey. You have
my condolences and I leave you this song of David from the Ps. 23.
Matti Kniva Spencer
December 3, 2006
As a little boy, I remember watching Bettye Ackerman in the series Ben Casey. She left a very positive impact on me. Her role as a doctor was one that influenced women to become doctors, just like Nichelle Nichols ( Uhura from Star Trek ) influenced women to become astronauts. God bless Bettye Ackerman. She was a beautiful actress and a strong woman. She will be missed.
Linda
November 23, 2006
Bettye Ackerman Jaffe was a superb actress whom I shall remember forever. I am positive she is happyily reunited with the love of her life, and they are dancing on the streets of Heaven.
Rachel Farris
November 22, 2006
We watched her every week on TV. She was a great actress and so beautiful. I've often wondered about where she was.
sull
November 22, 2006
sull
November 22, 2006
Condolences to the Family of a fine actress and lady.
Marilyn Bobowski
November 22, 2006
I have fond memories of watching Ben Casey and seeing Bettye along with her husband Sam in the series. I often wondered what became of her after the series ended. She was a wonderful actress. My condolences to her family.
Sheryl Adkins
November 21, 2006
Beautiful memories of a beautiful person..Bettye A. Jaffe will be missed...never forgotten.
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