Stacy Webb was a well-known and respected lobbyist in Tallahassee, Florida, who worked with Southern Strategy Group, one of the largest lobbying firms in the state. She was also the daughter of Hollywood legends Jack Webb and Julie London, who starred in the classic TV show Dragnet. Stacy Webb passed away on September 27, 1996, at the age of 46, after suffering complications from a heart surgery. Her death shocked and saddened her family, friends and colleagues, who remembered her as a kind, generous and talented woman.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Stacy Webb was born on January 11, 1950, in Los Angeles, California. She was the eldest of two daughters of Jack Webb and Julie London, who divorced when she was only three months old. She grew up in a showbiz family, but chose a different path for herself. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in political science and moved to Florida to pursue a career in politics.
She started working as a legislative aide for former state Sen. Pat Thomas, who later became the Senate president. She then joined Southern Strategy Group in 1992 as a lobbyist, representing clients such as Walt Disney World, Florida Power & Light, and the Florida Association of Realtors. She quickly rose to become one of the most influential and effective lobbyists in the state capital, earning the respect and admiration of lawmakers, regulators and fellow lobbyists.
According to Florida Politics, Stacy Webb was known for her professionalism, integrity and charm. She was also praised for her ability to balance her work and family life. She was married to John Webb, a former reporter and editor for The Associated Press, and had two sons, Jack and Sam.
A Heartbreaking Loss
In September 1996, Stacy Webb underwent a heart surgery at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta to correct a congenital defect that caused her heart to enlarge. The surgery was supposed to be routine, but she developed complications that led to multiple organ failure. She died on September 27, 1996, surrounded by her loved ones.
Her death was mourned by many people who knew her personally and professionally. Her husband John Webb said that she was his best friend and soulmate. Her father Jack Webb, who died in 1982, had left behind five scripts for a new version of Dragnet that he planned to produce in 1983. Her mother Julie London, who died in 2000, had been a successful singer and actress who recorded more than 30 albums and appeared in more than 20 films. Her sister Lisa Breen said that she was a good sister and a good daughter.
According to IMDB, Stacy Webb had a brief appearance in Adam-12, a TV series created by her father that followed the lives of two police officers in Los Angeles. She also had a half-brother named Al Anthony from her mother’s second marriage to Bobby Troup, a jazz musician and actor who played Dr. Joe Early on Emergency!, another TV series created by her father.
Stacy Webb’s legacy lives on through her family and her work. She was buried in Riverside County, California, where she had died in a car accident. She was remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother and lobbyist who made a positive impact on the world.