An iconic villain from 1980s primetime television was spotted during a rare outing in Los Angeles on Friday — and she looked almost unrecognizable at 69.
The actress, once known for playing one of soap opera’s most notorious troublemakers, appeared youthful and radiant while running errands around the city. Dressed casually in a black short-sleeved top and matching pants, she looked far removed from her glamorous red carpet years.
The star in question was Teri Austin, best remembered for portraying the scheming Jill Bennett on Knots Landing. Her unforgettable performance earned her a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Villain: Prime Time and cemented her place as one of the decade’s most memorable soap stars.
Austin’s character became famous for her manipulative and unpredictable behavior, especially during dramatic storylines involving Gary and Valene Ewing. One of the most shocking plots saw Jill attempt to frame Gary before meeting a tragic end, securing her status as a true soap supervillain.
Beyond Knots Landing, Austin enjoyed a successful television career with appearances on popular shows including Baywatch, Seinfeld, Beverly Hills, 90210, Quantum Leap, Matlock, Murder, She Wrote, and L.A. Law. She also appeared in films such as The Vindicator and Brian De Palma’s Raising Cain.
Born in Toronto, Canada, Austin later moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting opportunities and built a long career in television and film. However, she eventually chose to step away from Hollywood in her forties, explaining that she had grown tired of being typecast in similar roles.
After leaving acting, Austin focused on animal welfare and rescue work, dedicating her time to organizations including The Amanda Foundation. She revealed she had already been volunteering there even while filming Knots Landing.
Though she has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, Teri Austin remains fondly remembered by fans. Decades later, her performance as Jill Bennett still stands as one of television’s most unforgettable soap villains.
