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Born Francis Jameson Parker Jr. in Baltimore in 1947, Jameson Parker trained in drama at Beloit College and built his early career in regional theatre, off‑Broadway and daytime television. He created the role of Brad Vernon on the soap One Life to Live before becoming widely known as A.J. Simon opposite Gerald McRaney on the CBS detective series Simon & Simon (1981–1989). Over three decades Parker worked across feature films, television movies, primetime series and voice projects, and in the 2000s moved into writing, narrating documentary work and occasional on‑screen hosting with his wife Darleen Carr. His screen career is best remembered for its 1980s peak but also for steady character work before and after that era.

... Francis Jameson Parker Jr., professionally billed as Jameson Parker, was born November 18, 1947, in Baltimore, Maryland. He studied drama at Beloit College and cut his teeth in dinner theatre, summer stock and off‑Broadway productions before relocating to New York City in the early 1970s. Parker’s first significant screen exposure came in daytime television as the original Brad Vernon on One Life to Live, a role that led to guest spots on series and a string of TV movies. In 1981 he landed the co‑lead of A.J. Simon in the popular CBS series Simon & Simon, which ran through most of the 1980s and established him as a familiar primetime presence alongside Gerald McRaney. Parker also appeared in theatrical films such as White Dog and John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness, and he worked on numerous television movies and guest appearances into the 1990s. After a partial acting hiatus, he returned for recurring work including four episodes of JAG (2003–2004), co‑hosted the outdoor/animal series A Dog’s Life with Darleen Carr, and narrated the documentary Endangered Species: California Fish and Game Wardens (2009). In later years Parker turned increasingly to writing, publishing memoir and fiction titles and contributing essays and features to print and online outlets. Then & Now The 1980s During the 1980s Parker became a household name as A.J. Simon, the smooth, quick‑witted half of the detective duo on CBS’s Simon & Simon (1981–1989), which cemented his place in primetime. He continued to work across television movies, guest spots and feature films—including White Dog and John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness—demonstrating range beyond the series. That decade stands as the high point of his screen visibility and left him widely associated with the charismatic investigator role. Now (2026) As of 2026 Parker has largely stepped back from steady acting work and focused on writing, narrating documentary projects and occasional on‑screen hosting alongside his wife, Darleen Carr. He continues to lend his voice and experience to projects behind the camera and makes periodic appearances tied to his television career. Today his legacy rests on the 1980s peak of Simon & Simon and a long, steady body of character work across film and television. Career timeline 1947 Born Francis Jameson Parker Jr. on November 18 in Baltimore, Maryland. 1966–1971 Studied drama at Beloit College and acted in student and regional theatre productions. 1972 Moved to New York City; began working in commercials, off‑Broadway plays and pursuing television roles. 1975–1976 Appeared on the daytime serial Somerset (Dale Robinson) and soon after created the role of Brad Vernon on One Life to Live. 1979–1980 Featured in early film roles, including The Bell Jar (1979) and the campus drama A Small Circle of Friends (1980). 1981 Cast as A.J. Simon in the CBS detective series Simon & Simon, co‑starring with Gerald McRaney; series ran through 1989. 1982–1987 Appeared in feature films and TV movies including White Dog (1982) and John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness (1987). 1986 Co‑produced and starred in the theatrical feature Jackals with Gerald McRaney. 2003 Co‑hosted the Outdoor Life Network programme A Dog’s Life with his wife Darleen Carr; returned to dramatic television with several episodes of JAG (2003–2004). 2009 Narrated the documentary Endangered Species: California Fish and Game Wardens and continued publishing memoir and fiction work. Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Wikipedia: Jameson Parker Public biography and credit reference.Jameson Parker – Wikipedia reference search Biographical and credit details were checked against Wikipedia: Jameson Parker, Jameson Parker – Wikipedia reference search.