‘The Love Boat’ star learned ‘never settling’ after getting married three times


For Jill Whelan, the third time is the charm.

The actress, who played Vicki on the hit Sitcom “The Love Boat”, told “I Do” to Jeff Knapple in 2017 after he had walked through the aisle twice.

“We really get so well and enjoy each other’s business so much and respect each other so much. And we make each other laugh, so we are really, really happy,” said Whelan Mensmagazine.

‘The Love Boat’ star Jill Whelan credit mother because he was never arrested in Hollywood

A Split-by-Side image of Jill Whelan

Jill Whelan, the former children’s star who played Vicki who stood on “The Love Boat” in 2017, married Jeff Knapple. (© Aaron Spelling Productions/Courtesy Everett Collection/Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Princess Cruises)

“This is not the first marriage for one of us,” explained the 58-year-old. “It took us a minute to find the right person, but we finally did that. We were able to spend each moment together and not see any other person and be completely in order.”

According to the outlet, Whelan has been married twice before And has three children from earlier relationships. She said that going through two divorces taught her to “never settle down” when it comes to love.

Whelan said that one of the lessons she has learned from her past is that “you will never make anyone again.”

“This is not the first marriage for one of us. It took us a minute to find the right person, but we finally did that. We were able to spend each moment together and not see any other person and completely in order.”

– Jill Whelan

A close-up of Jill Whelan with a purple lace dress on a cruise ship in Australia

Jill Whelan has been married twice before and has three children from earlier relationships. (Rocket Weijers/Getty images for Princess Cruises)

“You better love them as they are when they come to you,” she shared. “And you have to be yourself if you meet someone, because if they don’t love you for who you are, then it is a constant game to behave as someone else. You can’t maintain that.

“I used to say to people when I was single, I would much rather be single and happy than linked and lonely,” she added.

Whelan said those lessons became crucial when she started dating Knapple, 68.

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The cast of the love boat in costume and smile together

“The Love Boat” was broadcast from 1977 to 1987. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

“When we started Dating after both divorces, We both went: ‘You know what? I’m just going to be myself and if they don’t like this themselves, that’s fine. No harm, no mistake, but that is not the person for me. It takes me to my nom value value or don’t hire me at all, “said Whelan.

“Because at some point the chickens come to come, and it becomes sticky and ugly and complicated. It is a lot easier (to be yourself).”

However, the journey has not been smooth sailing. The star admitted to the exhaust valve that she “made some mistakes in my life” that gave her to ask “what kind of route map, do I leave my children” When it comes to love?

View: ‘The Love Boat’ Star Credits Mom for never arrested in Hollywood

“It might have been a little later than I thought, but I finally feel that they understand what that route map can look like for them,” said the co-host of the “Empty Nesters” podcast.

“They love my husband, and he loves them, and it is the same for his children. And it is important that we stand for them, so that they can see that that is the best way to be.”

Whelan told Fox News Digital earlier that she has credited her mother, Carol Garrett, to help her Navigate fame like a children’s star.

“My mother was incredible,” said Whelan. “She never forgot that she was a parent before she was a” Momager. “And I virtually write down the fact that I wasn’t arrested to my mother.”

View: ‘The Love Boat’ Stars Gavin MacLeod and Jill Whelan give advice on navigating the Sea of ​​Love

“I am still afraid of her at the age of 84,” Whelan chuckled. “She still uses a big stick. (But) I think in terms of every child in the industry … Much of the parental responsibility is why they are, or they are unable to have a somewhat normal to navigate life. “

Looking back, Whelan pointed out that she had found fame at a time when social media did not exist. It meant less pressure on the shoulders of the young star.

“Puberty for millions of people is super fun,” she joked. “But I would say in terms of navigating (fame), thank goodness there was no internet or social media … Although we didn’t think so at the time, we had our privacy compared to what people have today.

“We are in an industry (today) where people are interested in what … (celebrities) do in their private life. So, navigating (fame) was a lot easier for me.”

Jill Whelan as Vicki on a cruise ship

Jill Whelan maintained a close friendship with her former castmen. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Whelan also credited The cast of “The Love Boat” To guide her on the way.

The Sitcom, which was broadcast from 1977 to 1987, told the romantic and often comic stories about the passengers and the crew of the Pacific Princess. Although originally contemptuous by critics, the series turned out to be hugely popular, last nine seasons and different TV films were running.

“My biggest joy is to be able to talk about the relationship we all had together,” Whelan reflected. “And part of that was the way they trained me … Gavin Macleod and Bernie Kopell … have been in the industry for a long time.

“And so, by the time ‘Love Boat’ came, they were the senior members … And they had a lot of experience. And they set the tone for the rest of us in terms of how we would behave as actors, and How lucky that we work to work. “

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Jill Whelan puts her arm around her mother.

Actress Jill Whelan, Right, and mother Carol live the fourth annual celebrity Mother/daughter fashion show of the Young Musicians Foundation at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella collection via Getty Images)

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“They never let us forget that,” Whelan continued. “I think that was one of the biggest lessons they taught us, in addition to the classic ‘appearing early, know your lines and busy your mark.’ These are some of the most basic rules, but many people do not forget or think that it is necessarily important.

“The industry has changed so much … because of non -written TV programs. Many people want to be in the industry so that they can be famous, and they forget that it is really a vessel, like everything else … it is one Art form.