Jennifer Runyon dead at 65: Ghostbusters and Charles in Charge actress passes after health battle

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Jennifer Runyon, the actress known for appearing in Ghostbusters and Charles in Charge, has passed away at 65, according to her family.

Jennifer’s family announced with deep sadness that she passed away last Friday night, after a long and difficult illness. She was surrounded by loved ones at the time.

The tribute shared that she will always be remembered for her joyful spirit and unwavering love for her family and friends, ending with a final ‘Rest in peace, Jenn.’

No specific cause of death was disclosed, but the message referenced a lengthy health battle.

Born in Chicago in April 1960, actress Runyon began her career in 1980 with a part in the horror film To All a Goodnight.

She quickly became well-known on television and in movies throughout the 1980s, frequently working on both kinds of projects at the same time.

She first gained widespread recognition in 1984 with a role in the hit comedy Ghostbusters. Though a small part – playing a somewhat anxious college student in an ESP test – it became a beloved moment for fans of the movie and helped launch her career.

That year, she played Gwendolyn Pierce on the popular sitcom Charles in Charge, which helped make her a familiar face on television.

Runyon also worked on several comedies, including ‘Up the Creek’ and ‘The In Crowd’. He contributed to the satirical war film ‘A Man Called Sarge’ and the popular cult classic sci-fi horror movie ‘Carnosaur’.

She demonstrated her versatility as an actress through appearances on several popular TV shows, including the soap opera Another World, and guest roles on Magnum, P.I., Quantum Leap, Murder, She Wrote, and even Beverly Hills, 90210.

In 1988, she played Cindy Brady in the TV movie A Very Brady Christmas, taking over the role from the original actress. Fans loved her take on the character, bringing a sense of nostalgia to the holiday special.

Runyon largely stopped acting regularly in the early 1990s, but she made a few more appearances in later years, mostly in horror and cult films like Silent Night, Bloody Night 2: Revival (2015) and Terror Tales (2016).

Away from the spotlight, Runyon lived a more private life in Southern California with her husband, Todd Corman, a basketball coach, and their two children.

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2026-03-09 01:04