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Pictorial Bio of Jill Norris

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Picture taken by her mother for her 8th birthday, February 14, 1958
Split screen shows Jack Frontenac (L) and Jill (R) Jr High instrumental music class. The only class they share at Garden West Jr High.
Jill in 1967 playing the lead role in a community theatre production of Cinderella as a junior in high school

Jill Norris found her calling trying out and awarded a role in a high school musical her freshman year. She went on to perform in more high school plays and community theatre in her hometown of Carsville, Indiana.

While attending a prestigious drama school in New York City, Jill did many commercials. Believe it or not, this is a commercial for toothpaste.

Jill Norris continued doing commercials after graduating from drama school. Her mother who was from Manhattan did some modeling as well and became friends with Betty Ford who gave Jill a job with her modeling agency in NYC.

Jill in an Off-Broadway production called “A Little Night Music.”

Jill also performed in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions as well as minor roles in a couple of soap operas before she made the move to Hollywood.

First motion picture: On Satan’s Island

Duke Edwardson enticed Jill Norris to Hollywood with a lead role in his adventure movie. Yes, she appears to be sans clothing. The lead role is an untamed, uninhibited heroine. Jill claims she was never nude, but wore a special flesh colored body suit.

Duke produced, wrote the film adaptation of the novel it’s based on and played the role of one of three shipwrecked on the island habited by Satan worshippers. You will not find the movie, but you can read the novel by Doug Knight and you can find it on Amazon.

1979 features Jill Norris in a WW2 historical fiction entitled “Built for This”

Ms. Norris’ most memorable role is the Austrian Jewess imprisoned in a WW2 internment camp in “Built for This.” The inspiration for the story and her character comes from the book of Esther in the Bible, specifically Esther 4:14.

1986 Jill Norris finds modeling work as a plus size model.

After Ms. Norris learns of Duke Edwardson’s true intentions, she struggles with a compulsive eating disorder using food to deal with difficult emotions. This struggle is followed by a bout with cancer.

1987 Chemotherapy for breast cancer causes Jill to lose her hair
1990 “Forgive and Forget” is a comeback movie for Jill Norris

Ms. Norris earns a lead role in “Forgive and Forget.” Her acting talent earns her the role and it’s her talent not her physique that gets her notice in this flick. It opened in theaters on Valentines Day and her fortieth birthday. She plays a woman scripted to be much older.

2023 Jill Norris at age 73

Acknowledgements: Many of my drawings were completed through Paint and enhanced by Photoleap.

Categories: Art

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Douglas Knight

I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.