‘Charles in Charge’ star died following six-month cancer battle

Jennifer Runyon, known for her roles in “Charles in Charge” and “Ghostbusters,” died Friday, Fox News Digital confirmed. She was 65.

Runyon died following a six-month cancer battle, her representative confirmed.

“This past Friday night our beloved Jennifer passed away, it was a long and arduous journey that ended with her surrounded by her family,” her family shared in a statement on social media.

“The Master” actress Jennifer Runyon died Friday following a six-month cancer battle. She was 65. (George Faber)

“She will always be remembered for her love of life and her devotion to her family and friends.”

They also noted that “she’s looking down on all of us with her beautiful smile. Rest in peace our Jenn.”

Erin Murphy, who starred as young Tabitha Stephens in “Bewitched,” mourned the loss of her dear friend on social media.

Jennifer Runyon works alongside Steven Tash in “Ghostbusters.” (Columbia Pictures/Everett Collection)

 

“So sad to share that my friend Jennifer Runyon Corman has passed away after a brief battle with cancer,” Murphy wrote.

“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.”

The Chicago-native made her debut on the silver screen in the 1980 slasher, “To All a Goodnight,” before earning a supporting role on the soap opera “Another World.”

Runyon famously portrayed a student receiving an ESP test by Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) in the ’84 blockbuster “Ghostbusters.”

Jennifer Runyon starred as Gwendolyn Pierce in “Charles in Charge.” (Bobby Bank)

That same year, Runyon worked on “Up the Creek” before starring as Gwendolyn Pierce on the sitcom “Charles in Charge.”

Runyon is survived by husband, Todd Corman, and two children, son Wyatt and daughter Bayley.

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The Girl Next Door of the Eighties: The Life and Career of Jennifer Runyon

In the landscape of 1980s cinema and television, few faces captured the “girl next door” archetype quite as effortlessly as Jennifer Runyon. With a blend of classic blonde-haired, blue-eyed charm and a sharp, comedic wit, Runyon became a staple of the era’s most beloved projects—from supernatural blockbusters to high-energy sitcoms.

Early Beginnings and the Breakout Years

Born in Chicago and raised in a family with deep ties to the industry (her father, Jim Runyon, was a well-known radio personality), Jennifer didn’t take long to find her way to the screen. Her career trajectory shifted into high gear in the early 1980s.

While she gained experience on the soap opera Another World, her “big bang” moment came in 1984 with a small but unforgettable role in Ivan Reitman’s Ghostbusters. As the college student being “tested” by Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman, Runyon’s deadpan reactions to Venkman’s blatant favoritism became a cult-favorite moment of the film.

The Sitcom Sweetheart

Runyon’s ability to balance sweetness with comedic timing made her a natural fit for the sitcom boom. She is perhaps most widely recognized for her role as Gwendolyn Pierce in the hit series Charles in Charge. Replacing Julie Anne Haddock in the later seasons, Runyon’s chemistry with Scott Baio helped the show maintain its popularity during its transition to first-run syndication.

Throughout the 80s and early 90s, she was a prolific guest star, appearing in the “who’s who” of television hits:

• Magnum, P.I.

• The Love Boat

• Who’s the Boss?

• Beverly Hills, 90210

Beyond the Screen: A Deliberate Pivot

Unlike many of her contemporaries who struggled with the transition out of “ingenue” roles, Runyon made a conscious choice to step back from the Hollywood limelight in the mid-1990s. She shifted her focus toward her family, marrying basketball coach Todd Corman and raising two children.

However, her legacy remains intact through a dedicated fan base that frequents the convention circuit. In recent years, she has made a quiet return to acting in independent projects and horror films, proving that the charisma that defined her early career hasn’t faded.