**12. Jennifer Runyon**
Jennifer Runyon, the fresh-faced actress who became a familiar presence in 1980s comedies and family TV, died on March 6, 2026, at age 65 following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. If you grew up watching Ghostbusters on repeat or tuned into Charles in Charge after school, her warm smile and girl-next-door energy will bring back instant waves of nostalgia.
She played the love interest in Ghostbusters (1984) and starred as Gwendolyn Pierce in the popular sitcom Charles in Charge alongside Scott Baio. Runyon also appeared in classic horror like The In Crowd and made guest spots on shows that defined family viewing. Friends described her as kind and generous, always quick with a laugh. Her passing reminds us how the cheerful faces from our childhood screens quietly shaped so many happy memories.
