Star of popular long-running soap opera Knots Landing is seen on a VERY rare outing in LA… can you guess who?

By DEIRDRE SIMONDS FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 17:24 BST, 5 May 2025 | Updated: 17:25 BST, 5 May 2025

This Canadian actress is best known for portraying Jill Bennett, the dangerous love interest of Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford), on the popular soap opera, Knots Landing.

She appeared on the long-running drama from 1985 to 1989 and won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Villain: Prime Time in 1990.

She memorably died in season 10 from the Dallas spin-off after accidentally locking herself in the trunk of Gary’s car while attempting to frame him for kidnapping her. 

While she elected to step out of the spotlight more than two decades ago, the star, 68, was recently spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles, California. 

She was lending a helping hand to the Beverly Hills-based animal rescue organization, The Amanda Foundation, where she serves as the president. 

On her latest sighting, the performer was seen in front of the Amanda Spaymobile, a mobile surgical unit that offers free procedures and vaccinations for pet owners. 

This Canadian actress is best known for portraying Jill Bennett, the dangerous love interest of Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford), on the popular soap opera, Knots Landing

Can you guess the star? If you said Teri Austin, you’re absolutely right! 

In 2001, Austin left acting and began working as animal activist.

When asked about her favorite part of the job in 2021, she said: ‘My favorite thing is seeing animals in distress and being able to rescue them and take them out of the distress.’ 

In addition to providing services for the public, the Amanda Spaymobile partners with LA shelters to provide spay andneuter services to dogs and cats.

Austin ‘worked with Los Angeles Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas to create an ordinance that would require all dogs and cats over four months to be spayed, neutered, and licensed,’ according to The Beverly Hills Courier. 

‘I told the Councilman that the Amanda Foundation would buy the Spaymobile, and we would hire and train the staff, and we would work the program, and we would ask the city to pay a portion of what it costs to give this service,’ she told the outlet. 

Prior to moving to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career, the former actress was the co-host of the Canadian reality series Thrill of a Lifetime. 

Austin was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. 

She appeared on the long-running drama from 1985 to 1989 and won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Villain: Prime Time in 1990

If you guessed Teresa ‘Teri’ Austin, you would be correct! (seen in 1987)

Her other credits include Quantum Leap, Seinfeld, Matlock, Murder, She Wrote, L.A. Law, Beverly Hills, 90210, Models Inc., The Vindicator and Raising Cain. 

Knots Landing, which aired from 1979 to 1993 on CBS, was a spin-off of Dallas. 

Her character died after attempting to frame Gary (Shackleford) for trying to kidnap her by bounding and gagging herself while hiding in his trunk. 

As she waited for the police to ‘rescue’ her, she died after choking on her own vomit. 

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Star of popular long-running soap opera Knots Landing is seen on a VERY rare outing in LA… can you guess who?

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