You probably know her as the girl who grew up on a boat. For nearly a decade, Jill Whelan lived every 1970s kid’s dream, playing Vicki Stubing, the captain’s daughter on The Love Boat. But honestly, there’s a lot more to her career than just white polyester uniforms and waving at guest stars from the Lido deck. If you look at the full list of jill whelan movies and tv shows, you'll find a weirdly fascinating mix of slapstick comedy, short-lived sitcoms, and a very modern second act as a professional "celebration ambassador."
It all started way before the cruise ship docked in our living rooms. Whelan was actually a commercial kid first. She did a series of M&M’s commercials that were cute enough to get the attention of TV producers. Before she was Vicki, she was Nancy Wilks on a show called Friends. No, not that one with the fountain and the coffee shop—this was a short-lived 1979 dramedy about three eleven-year-old kids. It didn't last, but it didn't matter. The Pacific Princess was already waiting for her.
That One Movie Everyone Forgets She Was In
Before we talk about the TV stuff, we have to talk about the 1980 classic Airplane!. Most people remember the "surely you can't be serious" lines, but they forget the B-plot involving a sick little girl on a heart transplant flight. That was Jill. She played Lisa Davis, the kid who had her IV tube knocked out by a guitar-playing nun.
It’s such a dark, hilarious contrast to her squeaky-clean image on The Love Boat. One minute she’s the wholesome daughter of Captain Stubing, and the next she’s a prop in one of the greatest spoof movies ever made. This role proved she had comedic timing that most child actors lack. She wasn't just "the cute kid"; she could hold her own in a movie that redefined comedy for a generation.
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The Love Boat and the Guest Star Carousel
Let’s be real: The Love Boat was basically the LinkedIn of 1980s Hollywood. If you were a celebrity, you were on that boat. Because Jill Whelan was a series regular from 1979 to 1986, she basically grew up in a masterclass of acting. She’s gone on record saying she worked with everyone from Ginger Rogers to Mickey Rooney.
Notable TV Guest Spots & Appearances:
- Fantasy Island: She popped up here twice. It was the sister show to The Love Boat, so the transition was basically seamless.
- Vegas: A guest spot as Marki Drummond back in 1980.
- Matt Houston: She played Molly Launders in 1982.
- Battle of the Network Stars: Remember when celebrities used to compete in relay races and tug-of-war? Jill was a staple there, representing ABC with the kind of competitive energy you’d expect from a teen star.
- Criminal Minds: A much later appearance in 2016 (Season 12, Episode 5) that showed she could still do gritty drama after decades of being associated with lighter fare.
The "Vicki Stubing" role eventually evolved. By the time the show ended, she wasn't the little girl anymore; she was a young woman. In the 1990 TV movie The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage, her character even got married. It felt like the end of an era for anyone who spent their Saturday nights watching ABC.
What Happened When the Cameras Stopped?
A lot of child stars burn out. Jill didn't. She actually took a massive pivot. After a few more guest spots on shows like Martin and Diagnosis Murder in the early 90s, she stepped away from the spotlight to work behind the scenes. She worked as an investigative producer for a local news station in Los Angeles (KCOP) and even hosted a radio show in Philadelphia.
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It’s a side of her career that doesn't show up on a standard IMDB filmography but says a lot about her. She wasn't chasing the "has-been" reality TV circuit immediately. Instead, she was out there doing actual journalism.
The 2024-2025 Comeback
Fast forward to right now. Jill Whelan is arguably more active today than she has been in twenty years. She recently appeared in the 2024 film The Girl in the Pool, a thriller that is a million miles away from the Pacific Princess. She also hasn't fully escaped the nautical life—and she doesn't want to.
She’s currently the Celebrations Ambassador for Princess Cruises. This isn't just a "face on a brochure" thing. She actually hosts "Love Boat" themed cruises. In late 2025, she's scheduled to lead another one of these voyages from Galveston, Texas. It’s a brilliant move; she’s embraced the nostalgia rather than running from it.
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Recent and Niche Projects:
- Lady Patriot: An off-Broadway play written by her co-star Ted Lange (Isaac the bartender).
- 6 Degrees of Hell: A 2012 horror flick where she played Jill Hudson.
- The Wrong Swipe: A 2016 TV movie that tackled the dangers of dating apps.
Honestly, her career path is a lesson in longevity. She survived the "child star curse" by being professional and knowing when to step away. She’s still close with her old castmates—especially Fred Grandy (Gopher) and Ted Lange—often performing on stage with them in various regional theater productions.
If you’re looking to catch up on her work, your best bet is to look for the classic The Love Boat reruns on MeTV or Pluto TV. For a real trip, go back and watch Airplane! just to see her handle the chaos of the Zucker brothers' directing.
Next Steps:
Check out the current streaming schedules for The Love Boat on platforms like Paramount+ or Pluto TV to see her early work. If you're into live performances, keep an eye on off-Broadway listings for Ted Lange's plays, as Jill frequently collaborates with her former crewmates on stage.