Jackie Burke, an Emmy Award-winning television producer, has died. She was 62.
Burke passed away on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in Los Angeles after a two-year battle with cancer, according to an obituary obtained by Urban Hollywood 411.
During her 40-year career in entertainment news, talk shows and reality television, Burke was often one of the only African Americans making editorial decisions.
“Before entertainment news had people of color on air, Jackie was really the only Black person in the room,” her friend, comedian “V” aka Vana Thiero, said in a statement.
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Burke graduated from the School of Journalism at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and got her start in an entry level position as a production associate at Entertainment Tonight.
She later moved to The Turner Entertainment Report, which was part of CNN’s entertainment unit in Los Angles, and went on to spent 18 years at E! News in various positions.
Her other credits included working on ABC’s The Bachelorette, as a producer at TV Guide Channel, BET, KCBS-TV, the KTLA Morning News, as well as in news at WFAA-TV in Dallas.
She was a firm believer in giving back, mentored USC students who aspired for careers in journalism, and helped connect more experienced journalists with job opportunities at places where she had worked.
Burke loved football and had season tickets to watch the Los Angeles Rams play.
She is survived by her mother, Eddie Burke; her brothers Ken and Keith; seven nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park Mortuary, 5600 Lindero Canyon Rd, Westlake Village, CA. Donations can be made by clicking here — to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network “In Loving Memory of Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ Burke” fund.
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