Actress Jennifer Runyon, known for her appearances in several beloved 1980s films and television shows – including a memorable scene in Ghostbusters – has died at the age of 65.
She passed away on March 6 following what friends described as a brief battle with cancer.
Runyon’s daughter Bayley Corman on Instagram paid tribute to her mother with the message: “All of the best parts of me came from you. I would give anything for one more day together.”
A Career That Started in 1980
Born in Chicago on April 1, 1960, Jennifer built a steady career across film and television during the 1980s and early 1990s. She made her feature debut in the 1980 thriller To All a Goodnight before appearing in the 1984 college comedy Up the Creek.
That same year she had a small but memorable role in Ivan Reitman’s Ghostbusters, portraying one of the students taking part in Dr Peter Venkman’s comedic ESP experiment opposite Bill Murray.
Television audiences came to know her best for playing Gwendolyn Pierce in the first season of the sitcom Charles in Charge, where her character was a love interest for Scott Baio’s title character. She later stepped into another iconic role, portraying the grown-up Cindy Brady in the 1988 television film A Very Brady Christmas.
Runyon also appeared in a wide range of popular television series throughout the decade, including Magnum, PI, Quantum Leap, The Fall Guy and Murder, She Wrote, becoming a familiar face across network TV during the era.
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Jennifer was ‘An Absolute Gem’
In later years she stepped back from acting, focusing on family life and other pursuits, including teaching.
She is survived by her husband, Todd Corman, and their two children. Friends and colleagues have remembered her as a warm and compassionate presence both on and off screen.
April Mills, an agent with Bayley Corman, Runyon’s daughter, said in a statement to THR: “We are very heartbroken for the entire family. She was an absolute gem, and loved her children so much. She will be greatly missed.”
Jenniger’s brother David Runyon on Facebook said: “My beautiful sister Jennifer has joined the angels in Heaven. Always dedicated to her convictions, Jenn was a wonderful mother and talented actress who especially loved the beauty in nature. Her soft voice and sweet smile will remain with me forever.”
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