Joseph Ashurst Jackson (June 8, 1894 – May 26, 1932) was an American screenwriter, playwright and publicist who was nominated for the now dead category of Best Story at the 4th Academy Awards.

In October 1924, he was hired as the personal representative of Rudolph Valentino,[4][5][6][7] in which capacity he served for roughly one year,[8][9] at which point he left to pursue his writing career in earnest.

He wrote the script and dialogue for The Singing Fool (1928), The Terror (1928), My Man (1928), Tenderloin (1928), Those Who Dance (1930), Fifty Million Frenchmen (1931), Smart Money (1931) and scores of others.

Braving both the rocks and what would later be erroneously described as a "terrific rip tide,"[15] Jackson was approximately 200 feet from the shore when he realized he was in trouble and called back for help.

Attempts to revive the unconscious screenwriter proved futile, and Jackson was pronounced dead, due to a combination of drowning and heart attack.