Where Is Jill Whelan Now? The ‘Love Boat’ Star’s Journey From TV Darling to Arizona Mom

When the Pacific Princess set sail in the late‑1970s, a young Jill Whelan was already steering her own course as Vicki Stubing, the captain’s bright‑eyed daughter. Over nine seasons she appeared in roughly 190 episodes, making the role the cornerstone of her early career.

But the fame that came with the cruise ship’s romance‑filled voyages also opened other doors. In 1980 she popped up in the cult classic Airplane! and later landed guest spots on shows like Vega$, Matt Houston and the daytime drama The Young and the Restless. When the franchise tried a comeback with The Next Wave, Jill answered the call and reprised Vicki for two more seasons.

After a solid run, Whelan pressed the pause button. Between 1999 and 2012 she largely stepped out of the spotlight, surfacing only for a brief short‑film appearance. When she returned, it was in low‑key projects: a cameo in the indie thriller Six Degrees of Hell, a voice cameo on the animated hit Phineas and Ferb, and bits on series such as The Bold and the Beautiful and Criminal Minds. Even a crime‑podcast called Exeter found her voice useful.

Personal life, however, has always been a big part of Jill’s story. She’s been married three times. Her first marriage to Brad St. John in 1993 produced a son, Harrison, and ended in 2001. A second union with Michael Chaykowsky in 2004 brought another child, Grant, before the couple split a decade later. In 2017 she wed former NFL quarterback Jeff Knapple, adding another chapter to her ever‑evolving life.

These days, Jill prefers a quieter rhythm. She now calls Arizona home, a place she says “has great culture and a growing community.” Her mother lives nearby, and both of her sons are settled there as well. While she still pops up for podcasts—she was a guest on the Still Here Hollywood Podcast in early 2024—and even a 2024 thriller with Freddie Prinze Jr., the actress says she’s happy to let the cruise ship fade into memory and focus on family.

So if you wonder what happened to the girl who once steered the Love Boat’s youngsters, the answer is simple: she’s charting her own course, anchored in Arizona, surrounded by the people she loves most.