Amanda Peterson Dead At 43: ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ Star Had Sleep Apnea
Actress Amanda Peterson has reportedly died in her Colorado home at the age of 43.
According to TMZ, the Can’t Buy Me Love star’s official cause of death has not been determined yet.
Amanda Peterson Dies — ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ Star Dead at 43 http://t.co/BJrza7ytUI
— TMZ (@TMZ) July 6, 2015
However, Amanda’s father reportedly opened up about his daughter’s health issues.
“She had some illness and a sleep apnea problem that may have contributed.”
Her father also claimed that Amanda had suffered from numerous medical issues in recent years in addition to her sleep apnea, including sinusitis and pneumonia. Until about a year ago, Peterson reportedly lived inside of a home that had mold problems as well.
Amanda Peterson made her film debut as one of the dancing orphans in the 1982 big-screen musical Annie starring Carol Burnett, Tim Curry, and Aileen Quinn.
17 May, 1982, saw the premiere of Annie, dir. by John Huston & starred Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney & Carol Burnett pic.twitter.com/IMpkFgFqGP
— On This Day In Film (@onthisdayinfilm) May 17, 2015
For several years after that performance, Peterson added quite a few small-screen roles to her acting resume, appearing on such shows as Father Murphy, Boone, and Silver Spoons.
Amanda Peterson appeared on Annie, Little House on the Prairie but I adored her on Silver Spoons bcuz she didn’t sweat Ricky. She was smooth
— Annie Apple (@SurvivinAmerica) July 6, 2015
However, Amanda Peterson starred in her most memorable role in the 1987 film Can’t Buy Me Love. The Steve Rash-directed film paired her alongside former Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey in an iconic role that became a cult classic.
#RIP Amanda Peterson, aged 43. Star of the ’80s classic CAN’T BUY ME LOVE. And a film crush for many. pic.twitter.com/72QuaxXy8E
— Rhett Bartlett (@dialmformovies) July 6, 2015
Just watched Can’t Buy Me Love ? Patrick Dempsey and Amanda Peterson #lawnmowerscene pic.twitter.com/Bpg8lEXmSt
— Antonette Cayco (@caycoconut) April 10, 2014
During a 1987 interview to promote Can’t Buy Me Love, Amanda Peterson had the chance to open up about keeping her personal and professional lives separate as well as the need for popularity in show business.
“I separate both of those lives also because I’m from Colorado, so I have two different lives basically… Yes, it’s true, you have to be popular in this business in order to get work… That’s called ‘being well-known.’… But it’s different when you separate that from life and work. Work is different, because you have to do it in essence.”
Peterson further stated that being popular was not the most important aspect of acting, believing that most of an actor’s time and effort should be focused on their work instead.
Amanda Peterson decided to leave the entertainment industry behind in 1994. According to TMZ, the longtime Colorado resident was reportedly trying to make it as a writer before her death.
[Image Credit: Buena Vista Home Entertainment]
