Jacqueline Carlin was an American model, actress, property developer and designer who became widely known as the second wife of comedian Chevy Chase. But her own life was much bigger than that marriage. Jacqueline Carlin’s entertainment profile records appearances in Thank God It’s Friday, Bronk, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and early Saturday Night Live. Later, Jacqueline married music producer Terry Melcher, became the mother of Ryan Melcher, developed luxury properties and spent many years connected with Carmel, California, and Terry’s famous mother, Doris Day. Jacqueline died on July 1, 2021, at age 78 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Quick Bio of Jacqueline Carlin
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jacqueline Carlin Melcher |
| Birth Name | IMDb lists Jacqueline Mary Carlin |
| Date of Birth | November 20, 1942 |
| Birthplace | Caldwell, New Jersey, according to family obituary |
| Died | July 1, 2021 |
| Age at Death | 78 |
| Death Place | Carmel area, California |
| Cause of Death | Cancer, following a year-long battle |
| Profession | Model, actress, property developer and designer |
| Modeling Agency | Ford Modeling Agency |
| Known Acting Work | Thank God It’s Friday, Bronk, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show |
| Famous Ex-Husband | Chevy Chase |
| Marriage to Chevy | December 4, 1976 |
| Divorce From Chevy | 1980 |
| Later Husband | Terry Melcher |
| Son | Ryan Melcher |
| Ryan’s Birth | May 21, 1983 |
| Famous Mother-in-Law | Doris Day |
| Later Home | Carmel, California |
| Other Work | Luxury rentals, home design and community events |
Her family obituary provides the richest account of Jacqueline’s life, describing her move from New Jersey to New York for modeling, her years in entertainment, her real-estate investments, her family with Terry Melcher and her later work designing homes in Carmel.
Who Was Jacqueline Carlin?
Jacqueline Carlin is often searched because of Chevy Chase.
That makes sense.
Chase became one of the original stars of Saturday Night Live and later appeared in movies such as Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Fletch and Three Amigos.
Jacqueline was his second wife.
But reducing her entire biography to “Chevy Chase’s ex-wife” misses most of her story.
Before and during her time around Hollywood, Jacqueline worked as a successful fashion model.
She acted.
She appeared on major television programs.
She invested in property early.
Later, she designed and developed homes, operated luxury rentals and helped organize events connected with Doris Day and animal-welfare causes.
She also had a family of her own with producer Terry Melcher.
Their son Ryan became the central person in her later life.
When Was Jacqueline Carlin Born?
Jacqueline was born on November 20, 1942.
Her family obituary says she was born in Caldwell, New Jersey. IMDb instead lists Essex Fells, New Jersey. Both places are in the same general part of Essex County, but the family-written obituary is the stronger source for her childhood background.
She was the second eldest among her siblings.
Her parents were Edward Walter Carlin and Gertrude Elizabeth Carlin.
Her obituary names her siblings as:
Trudy Rutledge,
Pamela Plant,
Edward Carlin,
and Charity Walton-Masters.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Childhood and Education
Jacqueline grew up in New Jersey.
She attended Saint Aloysius grammar school in Caldwell.
She later studied at Mount Saint Dominic Academy for junior high and high school.
After finishing school, she attended Immaculata College in Washington, D.C.
IMDb similarly notes her education at Mount Saint Dominic Academy and Immaculata.
Her life changed significantly after college.
Instead of remaining in New Jersey, she moved to New York City.
That move opened the door to modeling.
Jacqueline Became a Ford Model
Jacqueline’s family obituary describes her fashion-modeling career as highly successful.
After arriving in New York, she became associated with the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency.
Ford was one of the most influential modeling agencies of the period.
Modeling also brought Jacqueline into entertainment circles.
She did not stay only in print or fashion work.
She began appearing on television and in films.
This is why describing her only as a celebrity wife is inaccurate.
She had already developed a public-facing career of her own.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Acting Career
Jacqueline’s acting career was relatively small compared with Chevy Chase’s, but it was real.
IMDb lists her as an actress known for:
Thank God It’s Friday,
Bronk,
and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Her family obituary also says she appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show and in films such as Thank God It’s Friday.
In Thank God It’s Friday, a 1978 disco comedy, she is credited as “Blonde in Blue Blouse.”
These were often small roles.
Still, they place her directly inside the entertainment world of the 1970s.
Jacqueline Carlin and Saturday Night Live
One of the most interesting parts of Jacqueline’s career involves Saturday Night Live.
IMDb says she was the first female actor to appear on screen on the program, appearing in the “New Dad” sketch during the first episode in October 1975.
She also made several additional appearances during the first season.
This is a fascinating connection because Chevy Chase was one of the original SNL performers.
However, Jacqueline was never a regular member of the famous “Not Ready for Prime Time Players.”
She appeared in sketches and cameos.
That distinction is important.
Was Jacqueline Carlin Related to George Carlin?
No.
The surname naturally causes confusion.
Comedian George Carlin hosted the very first episode of Saturday Night Live.
Jacqueline Carlin also appeared during that first broadcast.
But IMDb specifically notes that Jacqueline was not related to George Carlin.
Their shared surname was simply a coincidence.
Jacqueline Carlin and Chevy Chase
Jacqueline’s best-known relationship was with Chevy Chase.
Chase had previously been married to Susan Hewitt.
After that marriage ended in 1976, Jacqueline became his second wife.
They married on December 4, 1976.
At this point, Chase’s career was exploding.
He had become one of the breakout stars of the new Saturday Night Live.
His “Weekend Update” appearances and physical comedy had made him nationally famous.
Jacqueline therefore entered the marriage at a time when her husband’s career and public visibility were changing very quickly.
How Did Jacqueline Carlin Meet Chevy Chase?
A perfectly documented first-meeting story is difficult to establish.
They were both moving through entertainment circles during the 1970s.
Jacqueline was modeling and taking acting jobs.
Chevy was working in comedy and television.
Recent reporting about Chase’s marriages describes their relationship developing during his transition out of his first marriage and during his early SNL fame.
However, Jacqueline herself did not leave behind a detailed public account of their first date.
So romantic stories published on small biography websites should be treated cautiously unless backed by stronger evidence.
When Did Jacqueline Carlin and Chevy Chase Get Married?
They married on December 4, 1976.
IMDb, reference biographies and modern reporting agree on that date.
Jacqueline became Chevy’s second wife.
The marriage lasted only a few years.
But it did not end immediately or cleanly.
There was a breakup, a reconciliation and then a final divorce.
Jacqueline Filed for Divorce in 1978
Contemporary reporting gives a clearer picture than later celebrity websites.
In April 1978, The Washington Post reported that Jacqueline had filed for divorce after the couple separated.
At the time, their marriage had lasted around 17 months.
The situation was clearly difficult.
But the divorce was not finalized immediately.
A later UPI report says Jacqueline and Chevy reconciled for several months after the initial filing.
Eventually they again decided to separate permanently.
When Did Chevy Chase and Jacqueline Carlin Divorce?
The final divorce came in 1980.
IMDb gives November 14, 1980 as the end date, while contemporary UPI reporting says a judge granted the divorce later that November.
The small date difference likely reflects legal filing versus court-finalization details.
The important point is clear:
Their marriage ended in 1980.
They did not have children together.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Divorce Settlement
The divorce also involved a significant financial settlement.
UPI reported in November 1980 that a Los Angeles judge ordered Chevy Chase to pay Jacqueline $400,000 as part of the settlement.
Other details were not publicly disclosed at the time.
A $400,000 settlement in 1980 was substantial.
Still, it should not automatically be treated as Jacqueline’s later net worth.
She went on to have her own property interests and businesses.
Did Jacqueline and Chevy Chase Have Children?
No.
Jacqueline and Chevy Chase had no children together.
Chevy later married Jayni Luke in 1982.
They went on to have three daughters:
Cydney,
Caley,
and Emily.
Jacqueline later became a mother through her relationship with Terry Melcher.
Who Was Terry Melcher?
Terry Melcher was a well-known record producer, musician and songwriter.
He was born Terrence Paul Jorden in 1942.
Most importantly for Jacqueline’s family story, he was the son of legendary actress and singer Doris Day.
Terry worked with musicians and became deeply involved in the Southern California music industry.
His relationship with Jacqueline brought her into the Doris Day family.
That connection shaped much of Jacqueline’s later life in Carmel.
Jacqueline Carlin and Terry Melcher
After her marriage to Chevy Chase, Jacqueline eventually built a life with Terry Melcher.
IMDb records Jacqueline as one of Terry’s spouses and says their relationship later ended.
Court records are even clearer that Terry later became her ex-husband, referring to a state divorce action between Jacqueline and Terry involving property on Martha’s Vineyard.
Interestingly, Jacqueline’s family obituary still refers to Terry as her husband when discussing their family years.
That likely reflects his importance in her life rather than indicating they remained legally married until his death.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Son Ryan Melcher
Jacqueline had one child.
Her son Ryan Melcher was born on May 21, 1983.
His father was Terry Melcher.
Ryan was therefore Doris Day’s grandson.
Jacqueline’s obituary makes it very clear how important Ryan was to her.
It describes him as the light of her life and says he cared for her until the end of her life.
Ryan later entered the real-estate and property-development world, an interest his mother encouraged.
Jacqueline’s Connection to Doris Day
Through Terry Melcher, Jacqueline became closely connected with Doris Day.
When Ryan was about three, Jacqueline and Terry moved from Los Angeles toward Carmel, California.
For a period, they lived in the guest house at Doris Day’s Carmel Valley property while Jacqueline designed a new family home.
This was not simply a distant celebrity-family connection.
Jacqueline became actively involved in projects and events associated with Doris.
The Cypress Inn in Carmel
In the late 1980s, Jacqueline, Terry and Doris Day became involved in the Cypress Inn in Carmel.
According to Jacqueline’s obituary, the three bought into half-ownership of the property.
Jacqueline helped improve its decoration and atmosphere.
She also organized gatherings there.
Some events supported Doris Day’s animal-welfare efforts and the Doris Day Animal League.
This work reveals a side of Jacqueline that has little to do with her brief marriage to Chevy Chase.
She had strong interests in:
design,
hospitality,
property,
community events,
and charitable causes.
Jacqueline Organized Doris Day’s Best Friends
One of her most ambitious projects came in 1993.
Jacqueline helped organize a major weekend event called “Doris Day’s Best Friends” at Quail Lodge.
Her obituary says she spent more than a year planning the event.
Celebrities, friends and fans attended.
Perhaps most memorably, Doris Day performed again with Les Brown and the Band of Renown.
For Jacqueline, organizing an event of that scale combined many of her strengths:
design,
planning,
hospitality,
entertainment connections,
and community-building.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Real-Estate Career
This is one of the most overlooked parts of her biography.
Jacqueline began buying property while she was still modeling.
Her obituary says she purchased two notable properties on Martha’s Vineyard, including oceanfront land and a beach cottage.
She eventually developed a large family house there that she called “The Great Gatsby.”
Over time, Jacqueline created what her family described as a luxury rental business on both the East and West Coasts.
She rented properties and hosted events involving celebrities and international visitors.
This indicates she had significant business interests independent of her famous husbands.
Jacqueline Was Also a Home Designer
Design appears again and again in descriptions of Jacqueline’s later years.
After moving toward Carmel, she designed and built the family’s Mediterranean-style home overlooking the mountains and Pacific Ocean.
She later continued designing and developing homes in the area.
Her interest was not simply financial.
Her obituary repeatedly emphasizes her creative eye.
She enjoyed:
architecture,
decorating,
gardens,
entertaining,
and creating beautiful spaces.
Her son Ryan eventually followed a related path in real estate.
Was Jacqueline Carlin Married Before Chevy Chase?
IMDb lists another marriage before Chevy.
It identifies Peter Byam Cannon as one of Jacqueline’s spouses and gives a marriage date of January 8, 1966, followed by divorce.
Public information about that marriage is much thinner than information about Chevy or Terry.
Because there is little strong contemporary reporting available, it should not be turned into an elaborate relationship story.
The basic point is that Chevy appears to have been not her first marriage, even though he remains her most famous former husband.
How Many Times Was Jacqueline Carlin Married?
IMDb lists three spouses:
Peter Byam Cannon,
Chevy Chase,
and Terry Melcher.
However, the details and dates are much stronger for the Chevy marriage than for her first marriage or the beginning of her marriage to Terry.
Her relationship with Terry clearly became the most important family partnership of her later life because they shared Ryan and spent years building a home in California.
Terry Melcher’s Death
Terry Melcher died on November 19, 2004, at age 62.
IMDb lists cancer as his cause of death.
Although Jacqueline and Terry had legally separated, he remained a central part of her family history.
Her obituary lists him among family members who died before her.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Later Life
After the peak of her modeling and acting years, Jacqueline became much less visible in entertainment media.
She did not spend decades trying to remain an actress.
Instead, she concentrated on:
her son,
real estate,
home development,
design,
community events,
friends,
charitable work,
and her life in Carmel.
That may explain why modern readers searching her name often know only the Chevy Chase connection.
Her most substantial later work happened outside Hollywood cameras.
Jacqueline’s Cancer History
Jacqueline’s obituary says she experienced cancer once while still in her late 30s.
It also describes personal dietary and wellness choices she made afterward.
Those details reflect her family’s account of her experience, but they should not be interpreted as general medical advice or evidence that a particular diet can treat cancer.
Decades later, cancer returned.
Her final illness lasted about a year.
When Did Jacqueline Carlin Die?
Jacqueline died on July 1, 2021.
She was 78 years old.
Her family obituary says she died peacefully in her sleep after a year-long battle with cancer.
Her memorial service was held later that month at Carmel Mission Basilica.
Her son Ryan was with her during her final period and cared for her with support from those close to the family.
What Was Jacqueline Carlin’s Cause of Death?
Her cause of death was connected with cancer.
IMDb also lists cancer as her cause of death.
It is best to leave the description there.
No need exists to speculate about a specific form of cancer unless reliable medical or family information identifies it.
How Old Was Jacqueline Carlin When She Died?
She was 78.
Born November 20, 1942, she died several months before what would have been her 79th birthday.
If she were alive in 2026, she would be 83.
But because she died in 2021, articles should not describe her as currently 83 years old.
Jacqueline Carlin’s Net Worth
There is no independently verified figure for Jacqueline Carlin’s net worth.
Celebrity websites may assign specific amounts to her.
Those figures should be treated cautiously.
We do know she had meaningful property interests.
Her obituary describes multiple Martha’s Vineyard properties, luxury rentals and home development in California.
Court records also confirm substantial property disputes involving Jacqueline and Terry Melcher’s estate.
But knowing someone owned valuable property is not enough to calculate net worth.
Assets must be balanced against:
mortgages,
debts,
business costs,
legal obligations,
taxes,
and other liabilities.
So the safest answer is:
Jacqueline Carlin’s exact net worth was never publicly verified.
Was Jacqueline Carlin Only Famous Because of Chevy Chase?
No.
Chevy Chase certainly made her name more searchable.
But Jacqueline had already worked professionally as a model and actress.
Her obituary identifies a successful Ford modeling career before detailing her television and movie appearances.
Later, she became active in property development and luxury rentals.
She also organized major community events.
And through Terry Melcher and Doris Day, she became part of another famous entertainment family.
So “Chevy Chase’s ex-wife” is only one chapter.
What We Actually Know About Jacqueline Carlin
The reliable version of her story is surprisingly rich.
Jacqueline was born on November 20, 1942, in New Jersey.
She attended schools in Caldwell before studying in Washington, D.C.
She moved to New York City.
She became a Ford model.
She appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, Bronk and Thank God It’s Friday.
She married Chevy Chase in December 1976.
She filed for divorce in 1978, briefly reconciled with him and eventually divorced in 1980.
They had no children together.
Later, Jacqueline built a family with producer Terry Melcher.
Their son Ryan was born in 1983.
Through Terry, Jacqueline became closely connected with Doris Day.
She helped with the Cypress Inn, organized charitable and entertainment events and built a life in Carmel.
She also developed homes and managed luxury rental properties.
She died in 2021 at age 78 after battling cancer.
That is a much fuller story than her celebrity-marriage headline suggests.
Final Thoughts
Jacqueline Carlin’s biography includes several very different lives inside one story.
She began as a girl in New Jersey.
Then she moved to New York and became a successful Ford model.
She entered television and movies.
She appeared during the earliest days of Saturday Night Live.
She married Chevy Chase just as he was becoming one of America’s biggest comedy stars.
The marriage did not last.
Jacqueline filed for divorce in 1978, they reconciled briefly and the relationship finally ended in 1980 with a reported $400,000 settlement.
But Jacqueline’s life did not end with Chevy.
She later built a family with Terry Melcher.
Their son Ryan was born in 1983.
She became closely connected with Doris Day.
She designed houses.
She developed luxury rentals.
She helped create community events.
She worked around the Cypress Inn.
And she helped organize the large 1993 “Doris Day’s Best Friends” gathering.
Those later decades may actually tell us more about Jacqueline than her short Hollywood marriage.
When she died in July 2021, her obituary focused far more on her son, family, properties, creativity, generosity and community than on Chevy Chase.
That is revealing.
For readers searching for Jacqueline Carlin, the clearest answer is this: she was Chevy Chase’s second wife, but she was also a Ford model, actress, property developer, designer, mother of Ryan Melcher, former wife of Terry Melcher and a woman who built an independent life far beyond Hollywood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jacqueline Carlin
Who was Jacqueline Carlin?
Jacqueline Carlin was an American model, actress and property developer. She is widely known as Chevy Chase’s second wife and later as Terry Melcher’s wife and the mother of Ryan Melcher.
When was Jacqueline Carlin born?
She was born on November 20, 1942.
Where was Jacqueline Carlin born?
Her family obituary says Caldwell, New Jersey. IMDb lists Essex Fells, New Jersey.
Was Jacqueline Carlin an actress?
Yes. Her credits included Thank God It’s Friday, Bronk, Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show.
Was Jacqueline Carlin a model?
Yes. Her obituary says she had a successful modeling career with the Ford Modeling Agency in New York.
Was Jacqueline Carlin on Saturday Night Live?
Yes. She appeared during the first season. IMDb notes that she appeared in the “New Dad” sketch during the first episode.
Was Jacqueline related to George Carlin?
No. IMDb specifically says they were not related.
Was Jacqueline Carlin Chevy Chase’s first wife?
No. She was his second wife. His first wife was Susan Hewitt.
When did Jacqueline Carlin marry Chevy Chase?
They married on December 4, 1976.
When did Jacqueline and Chevy divorce?
Their divorce was finalized in 1980.
Why did Jacqueline Carlin and Chevy Chase divorce?
Jacqueline filed for divorce in 1978 after the couple separated. They later reconciled for several months before ultimately proceeding with the divorce.
How much did Jacqueline receive in the divorce?
UPI reported that the court approved a $400,000 settlement in 1980.
Did Jacqueline Carlin and Chevy Chase have children?
No. They had no children together.
Who did Jacqueline marry after Chevy Chase?
She later married record producer Terry Melcher, Doris Day’s son.
Who was Jacqueline Carlin’s son?
Her only son was Ryan Melcher, born May 21, 1983.
Who was Ryan Melcher’s father?
His father was Terry Melcher.
Was Doris Day Jacqueline Carlin’s mother-in-law?
Yes. Terry Melcher was Doris Day’s son, making Doris Jacqueline’s mother-in-law during that marriage.
What did Jacqueline Carlin do after acting?
She became deeply involved in property development, luxury rentals, home design, entertaining and community events in places including Martha’s Vineyard and Carmel.
Did Jacqueline Carlin own property on Martha’s Vineyard?
Yes. Her obituary says she purchased important properties there while modeling and later developed a large family home and rental business.
When did Jacqueline Carlin die?
She died on July 1, 2021.
How old was Jacqueline Carlin when she died?
She was 78 years old.
What was Jacqueline Carlin’s cause of death?
Her family said she died after a year-long battle with cancer.
What was Jacqueline Carlin’s net worth?
No independently verified net-worth figure is available. She had substantial property and business interests, but exact wealth estimates online should be treated as speculation.
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