Jackson Latcherie is one of the main characters in Steel Magnolias. He is the husband of Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie, the father of Jackson Latcherie Jr, the son-in-law of Drum and M'Lynn Eatenton, the brother-in-law of Tommy and Jonathan Eatenton, and the nephew of Fern Latcherie. He is played by Dylan McDermott in the movie. In the movie Jackson Latcherie is a lawyer who is getting ready to marry his girlfriend Shelby Eatenton. Before the wedding he sneaks into Shelby's house and has a chat with her making her promise that she's gonna marry him to which she does. Later that day at 2:00 Jackson marries Shelby at the Prespaterian Church and later on dances with his mother-in-law M'Lynn Eatenton and she tells him that Shelby is very happy but that he should think about her before he makes any decisions about having a family due to Shelby's illness and Jackson replies M'Lynn, I know what you're saying. After the wedding Jackson his parents goodbye and leaves with Shelby for their honeymoon. Jackson and Shelby return home for Christmas where they attend a Christmas Party in town and Jackson gives Clairee Belcher a Santa Teddy Bear for Christmas. The next evening at Drum and M'Lynn's party Jackson and Shelby announce to everyone that they are expecting their 1st child in July and on July 3rd they have a son named Jackson Latcherie Jr. A year later they all celebrate Jack Jr's birthday to which Jackson knocks Tommy's hat over his mouth when Tommy tries to blow out the candle himself. That night Jackson, M'Lynn, Shelby, Tommy, Jonathan, and Drum all play a card game to which the boys make transplant jokes during the game and later on decide to watch a video. The next day Shelby has to have a kidney transplant and Jackson waits outside with Drum, Tommy and Jonathan hoping for the best to which the doctor comes out and says that the kidney transplant was good. Later on when Jackson comes home from work he finds Jack Jr crying on the floor and he calls out for Shelby and finds her laying on the ground outside and rushes to her side. At the hospital it is revealed that Shelby had kidney failure and has slipped into a coma. Shelby is put on life support and Jackson sits by her side hoping for the best. A few days go by and Shelby shows no signs of life and Jackson has her taken off life support to which she dies. Before he leaves Jackson kisses his wife goodbye and leaves the room sadly. M'Lynn tells Jackson to get Shelby's pink suit and asks Jackson where Jack Jr is to which Jackson replies Aunt Fern's. At the funeral Jackson is escourted by his parents. In the end Jackson raises Jack Jr on his own with the help of his mother-in-law M'Lynn. Show less «