The entertainment world is mourning the loss of a quintessential 1980s star. Jennifer Runyon, the versatile actress best known for her memorable turn in the blockbuster Ghostbusters and her lead role in the sitcom Charles in Charge, passed away on Friday night, March 6, 2026. She was 65 years old.
The news was confirmed on Sunday by her family and close friend, Bewitched actress Erin Murphy, who revealed that Runyon had been privately fighting a six-month battle with cancer. In a heartbreaking social media tribute, Murphy described Runyon as a “special lady” and expressed deep sadness at the loss of a dear friend.
A Memorable Career: From Ghostbusters to the Night Court
Jennifer Runyon’s face is etched into the memories of millions of moviegoers, specifically for her scene-stealing role in the opening of the 1984 classic Ghostbusters. Playing “Jennifer,” the student subject of Dr. Peter Venkman’s (Bill Murray) questionable ESP test, she displayed the perfect blend of charm and comedic timing that would define her career.
Beyond the big screen, Runyon was a television staple. She portrayed Gwendolyn Pierce in the first season of Charles in Charge (1984), serving as the main love interest for Buddy Lembeck. Her versatility allowed her to move seamlessly between genres, from her early days on the soap opera Another World to replacing Susan Olsen as Cindy Brady in the 1988 holiday phenomenon A Very Brady Christmas.
For a complete retrospective on the roles that made Jennifer Runyon an ’80s legend, UStorie has published a special gallery celebrating her four-decade career.
A “Long and Arduous Journey”
In a statement shared to Runyon’s official Facebook page, her family detailed the difficulty of her final months while celebrating her spirit. “This past Friday night our beloved Jennifer passed away,” the post read. “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 mother-in-law, Nan Corman, also provided a poignant account of the loss, noting that Jenn “fought it for six months” and left the entire family devastated. This focus on the human side of Hollywood’s stars is a recurring theme in our US News culture desk, where we track the legacies of the icons who shaped modern media.
Life Outside the Spotlight
In 1991, Runyon married Todd Corman, a collegiate basketball coach and television producer. While she continued to act occasionally—most recently appearing in the 2020 film Gunfight at Silver Creek—Runyon largely chose to step back from the Hollywood grind to focus on raising her two children, Wyatt and Bayley.
Reports indicate that during her semi-retirement, she worked as a teacher and co-hosted a cooking-themed podcast, exploring creative outlets that kept her connected to her community without the pressures of the limelight. To see how her former co-stars from Charles in Charge and Ghostbusters are paying tribute, visit our Sports and Lifestyle section.
A Legacy of “Beautiful Smiles”
Jennifer Runyon was born into a show business family; her father was the legendary radio announcer Jim Runyon and her mother was actress Jane Roberts. She carried that heritage with grace, never appearing as a “diva” but rather as a professional who brought light to every set she stepped on.
As fans revisit the supernatural halls of Columbia University in Ghostbusters or the family chaos of the Brady house this week, they will be reminded of a woman who was a foundational part of 1980s pop culture. As her family so eloquently put it: “I know from above she’s looking down on all of us with her beautiful smile.
