Born in Englewood, New Jersey, Jacklyn completed her high school studies at 15 and studied dance on a scholarship at New York University. Soon she was dancing and modeling professionally while continuing her studies. A desire to act on daytime television led Jacklyn to her debut on ABC's One Life to Live. After her character's untimely demise, Jacklyn was asked to go to Los Angeles to create the role of Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital.

In addition to television work, she has performed in off-Broadway and community productions, including Come Blow Your Horn, Barefoot in the Park and The Boyfriend. Over the years, she has appeared in numerous feature films, such as Gary Marshall's Young Doctors in Love, John Hughes' National Lampoon's Class Reunion, and The Day the Music Died, to name a few. She has also appeared in episodic primetime dramas and situation comedies such as Chicago Hope, Mike Hammer, Love American Style, Fantasy and Sledge Hammer.

Jacklyn received critical acclaim for her starring role in Montana Crossroads, an ABC Afterschool Special; and took a break from her busy General Hospital schedule to co-star as a lawyer in the ABC comedy movie for television, Jury Duty. Under her own production banner she co-produced and co-starred in an original stage play, Seacliff California. Recently, Jacklyn was also featured in a General Hospital primetime special for ABC.