Jackie Denardo is a recurring character in the hit comedy series “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” portrayed by the talented actress Jessica Collins. A local Philadelphia newscaster, Jackie is best known for her dramatic, often exaggerated reporting style and her brief but memorable interactions with the show’s main characters, particularly Dennis Reynolds (Glenn Howerton), who harbors a bizarre and obsessive crush on her.

Jackie Denardo’s Key Appearances and Memorable Moments

“The Storm of the Century” (Season 7, Episode 6)

Jackie makes her first appearance in this episode, reporting live from a store about an impending “apocalyptic” storm. Her over-the-top coverage draws Dennis, Mac, and Charlie to the store for supplies, but Dennis’s real motive is to impress her. His attempts at flirting are met with disgust, as Jackie finds him (rightfully) creepy and repulsive. The episode culminates in a riot after Rickety Cricket crashes a car into the store, giving Jackie the dramatic news moment she craves.

“The Gang Saves the Day” (Season 9, Episode 6)

In a fantasy sequence where Dennis imagines himself as a hero during a convenience store robbery, Jackie reappears, but this time, she has quit journalism to become a nurse. She tenderly cares for Dennis after he’s shot in the head, and the two share a rollerblading romance. However, in true “Always Sunny fashion,” the moment turns dark when Jackie loses control, skates into traffic, and suffers horrific injuries. His reaction? Smothering her with a pillow to put her out of her misery.

“Paddy’s Has a Jumper” (Season 14, Episode 8)

Jackie returns as a reporter covering a potential suicide jumper at Paddy’s Pub. Frank (Danny DeVito) pretends to be the jumper’s father to get screen time, much to Dennis’s frustration. Once again, Jackie Denardo’s presence is marked by the “Alone” theme, reinforcing the show’s running joke about Dennis’s unhealthy obsession with her.

Why Jackie Denardo Stands Out

Though a minor character, Jackie leaves a lasting impression due to Jessica Collins’s sharp comedic timing and the absurdity of her interactions with the Gang. Her exaggerated news persona and Dennis’s delusional attraction to her perfectly encapsulate It’s Always Sunny‘s brand of dark, cringe-worthy humor.

A Brief Look at Jessica Collins’s Career

Jessica Collins, born Jessica Lynn Capogna on April 1, 1971, in Schenectady, New York, is an accomplished actress with a diverse career spanning soap operas, primetime TV, and film.

Collins first gained recognition as Dinah Lee Mayberry on the ABC soap opera “Loving” (1991–1994). She later earned critical acclaim for her role as Avery Bailey Clark on “The Young and the Restless” (2011–2015), winning a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2016 21013.

Conclusion

Jackie Denardo might not have been on screen for long, but thanks to Jessica Collins’ performance and the absurd world she was dropped into, she’s become one of the most memorable side characters in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Confident, composed, and unintentionally irresistible, Jackie stands tall in a world full of degenerates, and reminds us how truly insane The Gang can be.