Jennifer Runyon Cause of Death: Ghostbusters and Charles in Charge Actress Dies at 65 After Six-Month Cancer Battle
Jennifer Runyon — the Chicago-born actress whose face launched a thousand 1980s reruns — died Friday evening surrounded by her family. She was 65. The cancer that took her had been fighting her for six months. Her voice, her warmth, and that unmistakable smile are what the people who knew her keep coming back to.
The Cause of Death
A representative for Runyon confirmed she died following a six-month battle with cancer, saying she "felt loved and blessed by her family and friends" and "was beloved by countless people and will be missed." The specific type of cancer has not been disclosed publicly.
Her family posted a statement to her official Facebook page: "This past Friday night our beloved Jennifer passed away, it was a long and arduous journey that ended with her surrounded by her family. She will always be remembered for her love of life and her devotion to her family and friends."
Her brother David wrote on Facebook: "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."
Who She Was
Born April 1, 1960, in Chicago, Runyon made her screen debut in the 1980 slasher To All a Goodnight before earning a supporting role on the soap opera Another World.
Most fans know her from two moments. The first: the ESP test scene in the original 1984 Ghostbusters, where Bill Murray's Peter Venkman very obviously cheats on her behalf. It is a small role — perhaps three minutes of screen time — that Ghostbusters fans have never stopped talking about.
The second: Gwendolyn Pierce on Charles in Charge, the object of Scott Baio's titular character's affection throughout the sitcom's first season. She also stepped into Susan Olsen's shoes as Cindy Brady in the 1988 TV movie A Very Brady Christmas. Her later credits included Quantum Leap, Murder, She Wrote, and Beverly Hills, 90210.
The Tributes
The outpouring from her Charles in Charge co-stars was immediate and specific. Willie Aames — who played Buddy Lembeck alongside her — did not reach for generic condolences.
"Jenn was more than a friend. She was my dear dear friend, muse, and encourager. We shared family Christmases together, vacations, weekends, lunches and dinners together... Jenn: you were my rock. Watching you slip away these last few months was one of the hardest times of my life… I can still hear your voice so clearly," Aames wrote.
Scott Baio said: "I had the extreme pleasure of working with Jennifer Runyon on Charles in Charge. She was a sweet, kind, and generous actress to work with. We last saw each other at The Hollywood Christmas Parade in late 2019. I'm sending my deepest condolences, prayers, and sympathy to her family during this difficult time."
Bewitched actress Erin Murphy, a close friend, confirmed the cause publicly: "So sad to share that my friend Jennifer Runyon Corman has passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Some people you just know you'll be friends with before you even meet. She was a special lady. I'll miss you Jenn."
The Family She Leaves Behind
Runyon is survived by her husband Todd Corman — whom she married in 1991 and who is a nephew of director Roger Corman — and their two children, son Wyatt, 32, and daughter Bayley, 30. Bayley, herself an actress with credits on 9-1-1 and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, posted simply: "All of the best parts of me came from you."
