Ghostbusters Actress Jennifer Runyon Passes Away at 65
Actress Jennifer Runyon, celebrated for her memorable roles in the iconic film Ghostbusters and the beloved sitcom Charles in Charge, has died at the age of 65. The sad news was confirmed by her close friend, Erin Murphy, who shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, revealing that Runyon succumbed after a brief battle with cancer.
A Career That Defined 1980s Hollywood
Jennifer Runyon built a steady and versatile career throughout the 1980s, becoming a familiar face across film and television. She made her feature film debut in the slasher movie To All a Good Night, an early entry in the horror genre that defined the era. Her breakthrough came with a supporting role in Ivan Reitman's blockbuster supernatural comedy Ghostbusters, where she played the young college student pursued by Venkman, embodying the quintessential 80s bombshell.
On television, Runyon gained recognition as Gwendolyn Pierce in the first season of Charles in Charge, a sitcom about a college student working as a live-in babysitter. This role helped establish her as a recognisable presence on TV. In 1988, she stepped into the cherished The Brady Bunch universe, portraying Cindy Brady in the reunion movie A Very Brady Christmas.
Notable Roles and Personal Life
Throughout her career, Runyon appeared in a mix of cult films and popular TV shows. She starred in the 1984 college comedy Up the Creek, the teen comedy The In Crowd, and the comedy film 18 Again!. Her television credits included guest roles on series such as Murder, She Wrote, A Man Called Sarge, and Beverly Hills, 90210, as well as the pilot episode of the science-fiction series Quantum Leap.
Born on April 1, 1960, in Chicago to radio announcer Jim Runyon and actress Jane Roberts, Runyon's career captured a dynamic period in Hollywood when actors seamlessly moved between network television, studio comedies, and genre films. In 1991, she married Todd Corman, a collegiate basketball coach who also worked in film and television production. The couple had two children, son Wyatt and daughter Bayley.
Her passing marks the loss of a talented actress whose work left an indelible mark on 1980s entertainment, remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.
