Jennifer Runyon, Actress Known for Her Roles in Ghostbusters and Charles in Charge, Dies at 65

Runyon’s friend, ‘Bewitched’ alum Erin Murphy, shared on social media that she had “a brief battle with cancer”

Jennifer Runyon, an actress known for her roles in Ghostbusters and the CBS sitcom Charles in Charge, has died at age 65.

Runyon’s family confirmed her death in a social media post on Sunday, March 8, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

“This past Friday [March 6], our beloved Jennifer passed away. It was a long and arduous journey that ended with her surrounded by her family,” the post read. “She will always be remembered for her love of life and her devotion to her family and friends. Rest in peace our Jenn.”

Runyon’s friend, Bewitched alum Erin Murphy, also confirmed her death in a Facebook post on Saturday, March 7, writing that she had “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. My thoughts are with your family and beautiful children,” Murphy, 61, wrote.

Born in Chicago on April 1, 1960, Runyon later married collegiate basketball coach Todd Corman. The couple welcomed two children together, a son named Wyatt and a daughter named Bayley.

In 2014, Runyon stated that she was semi-retired from acting and was instead working as a teacher, according to Variety.

Her daughter, Bayley, an actress who has appeared in episodes of 9-1-1, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Jane the Virgin, also shared a tribute to her mother on Instagram, writing: “all of the best parts of me came from you. i would give anything for one more day together.”

“the kindest most compassionate person i’ve ever known. my best friend. i wasn’t ready for this,” she added.

Runyon made her feature film debut in the 1980 slasher movie To All a Good Night and had supporting roles in the 1984 films Up the Creek and Ghostbusters, in which she portrayed a student undergoing a paranormal assessment in an iconic scene with Bill Murray and Steven Tash.

She also starred in the 1984 sitcom Charles in Charge and had a number of other film and TV roles in the 1980s and 1990s, including taking over the role of Cindy Brady from Susan Olsen in A Very Brady Christmas, as well as appearances in The Fall Guy, Boone, The Master and Quantum Leap, according to Deadline.

Runyon also made guest appearances on series including Murder, She Wrote, A Man Called Sarge and Beverly Hills, 90210.