‘Ghostbusters’ Actress Jennifer Runyon, 65, Dies After Brief Battle With Cancer

Runyon is best known for her 1984 roles in ‘Ghostbusters’ and the CBS sitcom ’Charles in Charge.’

An ambulance in a stock photo. Shutterstock

Actress Jennifer Runyon, best known for her roles in “Ghostbusters” and the CBS sitcom “Charles in Charge,” has died at 65.

Her friend and fellow actress Erin Murphy confirmed news of her death in a social media post on March 8, noting she battled cancer for a brief time.

“So sad to share that my friend Jennifer Runyon Corman has passed away after a brief battle with cancer,” Murphy wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the two.

“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.”

Runyon’s daughter, Bayley Corman, who followed in her mother’s acting footsteps, also paid tribute, sharing a carousel of photos and videos on Instagram.

“All of the best parts of me came from you,” she captioned the post. “I would give anything for one more day together.”

While the details surrounding her health struggles remain unknown, Runyon’s family said in a statement posted to her private Instagram account that she died on March 6, according to ABC7 Los Angeles.

“This past Friday [March 6], 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. Rest in peace our Jenn.”

Born in 1960 in Chicago, Runyon made her feature-film debut in 1980 with the slasher movie “To All a Goodnight.” She rose to prominence with her supporting roles in the college comedy “Up the Creek” and supernatural blockbuster “Ghostbusters” alongside Bill Murray in 1984.

“When I went to go to the [‘Ghostbusters’] premiere, I was blown away by the movie, and I’m like, ’Oh my God. This is a big movie. I’m in a big movie.' It was huge for me,” she told the “Horror Heathen” in a 2023 YouTube interview.

“I was so excited but so nervous to meet [Murray]. He just puts you right at ease. It was fun; it was playful.”

Runyon landed a starring role as Gwendolyn Pierce on the 1984 sitcom “Charles in Charge,” with a number of other film and television credits throughout her career including “A Very Brady Christmas,” “18 Again!” and “The In Crowd.”

Years later, she gradually stepped away from the Hollywood limelight, semi-retiring from acting in 2014 and pursuing a teaching career while co-hosting her own cooking podcast.

Runyon is survived by her husband, Todd Corman, and their two children, Wyatt and Bayley Corman.