'Ghostbusters' Actress Jennifer Runyon Passes Away at 65 – Cause Revealed

The actress, known for her appearances in "Ghostbusters" and "Charles in Charge," is being remembered by friends and loved ones as a kind and compassionate person.

Jennifer Runyon's family announced her passing in a social media post shared on Sunday, March 8. They revealed that the actress died at the age of 65 after what they described as a long and difficult journey. The family also shared an emotional message honoring her life.

Final Moments Surrounded by Love After a Quiet Battle

Runyon spent her final moments surrounded by those closest to her. In a statement released by the family, they wrote, "She will always be remembered for her love of life and her devotion to her family and friends. Rest in peace, our Jenn."

A representative for the actress later confirmed that she had been battling cancer for six months before her death. The spokesperson said Runyon was deeply supported during that time. They added, "She felt loved and blessed by her family and friends. She was beloved by countless people and will be missed."

Daughter's Heartbreaking Tribute to Her 'Best Friend'

Following the announcement, tributes quickly began appearing online, with her daughter Bayley among the first to share a message.

Bayley posted a collage featuring photos of the two together over the years, including snapshots from vacations and moments spent at home. She captioned the tribute, "The kindest, most compassionate person I've ever known. My best friend. I wasn't ready for this."

The post's cover image showed Runyon holding Bayley when she was a toddler. Reflecting on their bond, Bayley added, "All of the best parts of me came from you. I would give anything for one more day together."

Family Mourns the Loss of a Devoted Wife and Mother

Runyon's mother-in-law, Nan Corman, also shared a heartfelt remembrance on Facebook. She wrote, "If there was ever a perfect couple, it was my son Todd and Jennifer. Todd married Jennifer Runyon Corman 35 years ago and had two wonderful children, Wyatt and Bayley."

She went on to share the family's grief over the loss, writing, "Friday night we lost Jenn to cancer...she fought it for six months and left all of us devastated. Life goes on, but Jenn will never be forgotten for being the perfect wife and daughter-in-law."

Co-Stars and Friends Remember Her Warm Spirit

Tributes from Runyon's colleagues and friends have also poured in, many reflecting on her warmth both on and off screen. Actor Scott Baio remembered having the opportunity to work alongside Runyon on "Charles in Charge," where she portrayed his character's longtime girlfriend.

Baio described Runyon as a kind, generous, and pleasant colleague to work with, while also praising her as a devoted wife and mother. He recalled the last time they saw each other at The Hollywood Christmas Parade in late 2019. Baio concluded by sharing that he was keeping her family in his thoughts and prayers during the difficult time.

Erin Murphy also shared her sadness over Runyon's passing. She remembered Runyon as someone she felt an instant connection with, even before they officially met.

Murphy described her friend as a special person whose presence would be deeply missed, while sending support to Runyon's family and her children.

Willie Aames reflected at length on the bond he shared with Runyon, describing her as far more than a colleague. Aames said she had been a close friend, confidant, and a source of encouragement in his life.

Over the years, they spent holidays together, shared vacations, and regularly gathered for meals and family time. Beyond working together on projects, he said their friendship was filled with laughter, something he felt defined Runyon even during the final weeks of her life.

Aames also spoke about the difficulty of watching her health decline over the past several months, describing the experience as one of the most painful periods he had faced. He said her voice and presence remained vivid in his memory and that the loss had left a deep void for those who loved her.

According to Aames, Runyon and her husband had a marriage that long served as an example of kindness and partnership for those around them. While he acknowledged that processing the loss would take time, he said the joy and generosity she brought into people's lives would never be forgotten.

Actress Lydia Cornell also paid tribute to Runyon, remembering her as both beautiful and kind-hearted. Lydia said she deeply missed her friend and wished peace for her family. She shared that she had hoped to visit Runyon in Idaho, where the actress had moved with her family during the COVID-19 pandemic to raise her children.

Lydia also reflected on one of their early shared experiences in the entertainment industry. She recalled that they spent several weeks filming at Edwards Air Force Base while portraying pregnant 1950s pilots' wives. The project involved working alongside actors Dean Stockwell and Scott Bakula during the pilot for NBC's "Quantum Leap."

Fans Reflect on Her Memorable 'Ghostbusters' Moment

A fan also shared a heartfelt tribute while reflecting on one of Runyon's memorable appearances in "Ghostbusters." The admirer recalled a scene from the film as an unforgettable moment from childhood, noting that it helped establish the movie's balance between spooky elements and humor.

While acknowledging that they did not know much about Runyon personally, the fan highlighted how actors who appear in smaller roles or brief scenes still play an important part in shaping memorable moments in film.

In their view, Runyon's appearance served as a reminder that performers in supporting or minor roles can still contribute to scenes that become widely recognized in pop culture.

The tribute concluded with the fan thanking Runyon for her work and for helping create a cinematic moment that many viewers continue to enjoy years later.

Looking Back at Her Hollywood Breakthroughs

In a past interview, Runyon, who took up acting when she was still in her teens, also reflected on her experience working on different movies, including "Ghostbusters." She recalled how little she knew at the time about the film that would later become a massive box-office success.

She shared that while filming, she had no idea the project would grow into such a cultural phenomenon and said she was simply thrilled to have the chance to work alongside Bill Murray.

Runyon noted that the role continued to resonate with fans years later. She said people often approached her and referenced a line from the film, telling her, "You're no fluke, Jennifer," a comment she said always left her feeling flattered.

Looking back on how she landed the role, Runyon explained that she had received a call to audition for what was described as a "Bill Murray movie." She remembered arriving to find many other actresses there and said she initially did not hear anything after the audition.

At the time, she also revealed that the production team kept details about the film tightly guarded, and those auditioning were not told much about the storyline.

Despite the movie's lasting connection to New York City, Runyon admitted she had never visited the famous firehouse used as the Ghostbusters headquarters, though she said it was something she hoped to do someday.

Runyon also spoke about her other television roles, including appearances on "Another World" and "Charles in Charge." She said she had been excited when she landed the role on "Charles in Charge," though she admitted feeling nervous at first because she had long had a small crush on her co-star Baio.

However, she said working with him quickly eased those nerves. According to Runyon, Baio eventually felt more like a brother figure, and she said she learned a great deal from both him and Aames.

She added that she and Aames remained close friends over the years and even reunited professionally decades later, working together on a radio show called "F.L.U.I.D." alongside Susan Olsen.

Runyon also spoke fondly about her experience filming "18 Again!" alongside legendary comedian George Burns. She described the project as another very positive experience and said she enjoyed working with both the cast and the crew.

Childhood Memories and a Life Shaped by Family

In her interviews, Runyon also reflected on her upbringing and family life. Her father, James R. Runyon, worked as a radio DJ, a career that shaped parts of her childhood. She explained that although she did not personally meet famous musicians growing up, her parents did have encounters with major artists, including the Beatles.

However, she was too young at the time to fully appreciate how special that was. What she remembered most fondly was hearing both of her parents on the radio each morning while getting ready for school.

Runyon also spoke about marrying into a well-known film family. She recalled that director Roger Corman, her husband's uncle, once asked her to appear in the movie "Carnosaur." At the time, she was four months pregnant with her son but chose not to mention it because she was eager to take part in the project.

She later worked with another member of the family, her father-in-law Gene Corman, on the film "A Man Called Sarge." The production was filmed in Israel, and Runyon remembered the experience as an enjoyable one, noting that the cast made the project particularly memorable.

Choosing Motherhood over Fame and Finding Happiness

Throughout her career, Runyon spoke about the challenge of balancing work and motherhood. She once shared that she stepped away from acting when she became pregnant with her first child, choosing to become a full-time mom. During that period, her husband, Todd Corman, continued working and supported the family.

Corman built his own career in the entertainment industry as an editor and assistant director before eventually retiring. In recent years, he transitioned into a different profession and now works as a coach.

Runyon and Corman first met in 1986 while working on the television movie "Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story." Their relationship began when Corman asked Runyon out, and the two went to dinner, followed by a boxing match. The outing marked the beginning of a relationship that would grow into a decades-long marriage.

The couple later settled in Idaho, where they raised their children. Runyon once shared a humorous detail about their family life, recalling that their kids did not initially realize she had been an actress until they eventually saw her appear in "Ghostbusters."

Over the years, Jennifer Runyon often spoke warmly about the close-knit family she and Corman built together. She never regretted stepping back from acting to focus on raising their children. Now, the family she cherished so deeply is grieving the loss of a devoted wife and loving mother.