From 1961 until 1966, Ackerman played Dr. Maggie Graham on the ABCmedical dramaBen Casey. She played Anne Frazer on Bracken's World and the original Constance MacKenzie on the daytime program Return to Peyton Place.[1] She appeared in an early episode of prime time soap Falcon Crest portraying the character of Elisabeth Bradbury. She also appeared in two episodes of Perry Mason, starring Raymond Burr: in 1965. she played the role of Amy Reid in the episode, "The Case of the Thermal Thief," and in 1966. she played Laura Brandon in "The Case of the Positive Negative." In 1977, she appeared in "Never Con a Killer," the pilot for the ABC crime drama The Feather and Father Gang.
Ackerman played the title role in the one act play Salome, by Oscar Wilde, as part of the Alexander Kirkland Acting Group. The production was released on Magic-Tone Records (CTG 4011). Ackerman's Broadway credits include A Meeting by the River (1979).[4]
On June 7, 1956, Ackerman, at 32, married her future Ben Casey co-star Sam Jaffe, who was then 65. Although there was a 33-year difference in their ages, the couple had a very successful and happy marriage[1] until Jaffe died of cancer in 1984.[5] They had no children.
She sold her home in Beverly Hills, California, and returned to South Carolina to be near her large extended family in 1998.[6] Shortly afterwards, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Ackerman was also a noted artist, who had numerous exhibits in both Beverly Hills and Columbia, South Carolina.[3]
