7 Most Memorable Jesse Jackson TV Moments
On February 17, 2026, Rev. Jesse Jackson died at 84. One of the most influential civil rights leaders of the late 20th century and a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson became a major national political figure and activist who helped carry King’s message into the television age, expanding it far beyond the local pulpit and into living rooms across America.
One of the ways he accomplished this was by refusing to limit himself to traditional platforms. Jackson understood television as both a stage and an amplifier. His preacher’s cadence, commanding presence, and rhythmic delivery turned interviews, speeches, and even children’s programming into compelling moments that educated, inspired, and engaged viewers who might otherwise never have encountered his message.
Here is a look at several out-of-the-box appearances, cameos, and guest spots featuring Rev. Jesse Jackson, moments in which he used the power of television to inform, uplift, and remind audiences that the fight for equality belonged to everyone.
1. Sesame Street
Season 3 Episode 878
In 1972, at age 31, a fresh-faced Rev. Jesse Jackson sat on the front steps of a brownstone on Sesame Street, surrounded by a group of children, and told them they were somebody. Dressed in a purple striped sweater and wearing a massive gold medallion, he led them in a now-iconic chant:
“I am somebody. I may be poor, but I am somebody. I may be young, but I am somebody. I may be on welfare, but I am somebody. I may be small, but I am somebody. I may make mistakes, but I am somebody. My clothes are different. My face is different. My hat is different. But I am somebody. I am black, brown, white, I speak a different language, but I must be respected, protected, never rejected. I am God’s child. I am somebody.”
The appearance became a landmark moment in children’s television, as Jackson reminded young viewers that every child is somebody, using Sesame Street to bring his Operation PUSH message of confidence and empowerment to a national audience.
2. Lou Grant
Season 2 Episode 7, “Schools”
In a 1978 episode of Lou Grant, Jesse Jackson delivered a rousing and inspirational speech to an auditorium full of students, opening with the same “I Am Somebody” chant he had shared with children on Sesame Street. In the episode, Lou witnesses firsthand how violence has become a fact of life for many young people, as Jackson and the dedicated counselor work inside an inner-city high school to offer guidance, dignity, and hope.
3. Tanner ’88
Season 1 Episode 9 – “The Great Escape”
HBO’s groundbreaking political mockumentary miniseries is largely forgotten now, but at the time, the series was revolutionary. Created by director Robert Altman and cartoonist Garry Trudeau, Tanner ’88 airing during the 1988 U.S. presidential election as it followed the fictional Democratic candidate Jack Tanner (Michael Murphy) while he campaigned alongside real-life politicians, blending scripted satire with actual campaign trail footage.
In the show, Jackson played himself, participating in the real-world context of the 1988 Democratic campaign. Jackson’s television debate is a highlight in the episode “The Great Escape”.
4. Saturday Night Live
Season 17 Episode 1
Jesse Jackson hosted Saturday Night Live in 1984, but he returned for a special guest appearance in 1991, just days after the death of Theodore Giessel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. Hosted by Michael Jordan, Rev. Jackson famously read a portion of Green Eggs and Ham on Weekend Update with his own unmistakable flair, emphasizing all the places one might dine upon such culinary delights of a strange shade and hue. Delivered with the cadence of a sermon, he elevated the simple children’s rhyme into something grander, both playful and powerful.
5. A Different World
Season 2 Episode 21 – “Citizen Wayne”
Rev. Jesse Jackson stopped by Hillman College to give a speech about coming to gether as a community, and how the change in America starts with a person before it can be felt through a community. Jackson underscored the power of a single vote, explaining that lasting social and political change is built on the collective strength of individuals who choose to participate, speak out, and take ownership of their future.
It was a surreal moment that added levity while honoring Dr. Suess, the man who dedicated his life to children, their imagination, and the idea that words, no matter how simple, could inspire, comfort, and endure.
6. Being Mary Jane
Season 3, Episode 5 – “The Huxtables Have Fallen”
Rev. Jesse Jackson guest-starred as himself, stepping in to help Mary Jane Paul (Gabrielle Union) after her boss denied her request to return to her show. In response, Mary Jane made a $5,000 donation to the Rainbow Coalition and leveraged Jackson’s influence to pressure her network, underscoring her willingness to protect her career by any means necessary.
7. Saturday Night Live Guest Host
Season 10 Episode 15
Following his 1984 presidential campaign, Jackson appeared on Saturday Night Live, showing off his comedic timing and famously brushing off critics by saying he communicates from “pulpits… bar stools… public parks.”
During his monologue, he praised the show for employing so many Black staffers. But in a pointed backstage sketch, the crew scrambles to find Black employees to parade in front of him, exposing the hollow performative gestures and the uncomfortable gap between image and reality.
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