Judge Jackie Glass, the respected television jurist and former Nevada judge, has died at 70. Her daughter, comedian and actress Rachel Wolfson — recognized by many as the first official female cast member in the Jackass film franchise — shared the news in an emotional social media tribute on Friday, August 28. Posting a photo of herself with her mother, Wolfson wrote on Facebook, “RIP my rock. I don’t know how I’ll do this life without you, I love you so much mommy Jackie Glass, I’ll see you again someday.”
Glass was widely known to TV audiences for presiding over Swift Justice, the syndicated small claims courtroom series that aired in the early 2010s. A former Clark County judge, she brought real-world legal experience to the reality court show, which followed a familiar binding-arbitration format. Glass joined the program for its second season in 2011, succeeding Nancy Grace as host, the same year production relocated from Atlanta to Los Angeles. She remained at the center of the nationally syndicated series until it concluded in April 2012.
Long before her courtroom television career, Glass first pursued journalism and broadcasting. After earning a journalism degree from the University of Georgia, she made her way to Las Vegas, where she began working in radio news as a reporter for KORK-AM 920.
Her media career soon expanded into television when she joined KTNV-TV Channel 13, starting as a reporter before moving into the anchor chair.
Glass later shifted paths again, returning to the classroom to study law. She graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1984, launching the legal career that would ultimately lead her from the bench to national television.
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Tributes flooded in for the star as news of her death became widely known. “So sad!!! she was an amazing woman and I know will be missed!” one Facebook user penned.
“A sad loss for our community Rest in Peace Jackie,” another added. A third chimed in: “Just terrible! May her memory be a blessing! just a remarkable woman!”
A fourth reacted: “I’m in shock my heart goes out to her family. I just spoke to her last week. What an amazing lady.” A fifth shared: “Shocking! What a great lady…Condolences to her family.”
Meanwhile, a sixth reflected: “My heartfelt condolences to Steve Wolfson, her daughters, the Honourable Rebecca Wolfson and Rachel Wolfson, and all of Jackie’s family, friends, colleagues and those fortunate enough to have known her.
Rest in peace…knowing that your legacy will live along.”