Yo, I loved this woman, she was one of my favorite actresses, I am truly crushed by this news.

Associated Press


LOS ANGELES - Actress and cancer care activist Wendie Jo Sperber, who starred opposite Tom Hanks on TV's "Bosom Buddies," has died. She was in her 40s, but discrepancies arose over her exact age.

Sperber died at home Tuesday after an eight-year battle with breast cancer, publicist Jo-Ann Geffen said Wednesday.

A Los Angeles native, Sperber appeared in dozens of television shows and movies, including all three "Back to the Future" films.

Her publicist first said that Sperber was 46, but later said she was 43 based on an Internet resource. The Associated Press reported in September that Sperber was 47.

Sperber also had roles in Steven Spielberg's "1941," Robert Zemeckis' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," and Neal Israel's "Moving Violations" and "Bachelor Party." Her television credits include "Murphy Brown," "Private Benjamin," "Will & Grace" and "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter."

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, the actress became an advocate for cancer care. In 2001, Sperber founded the weSPARK Cancer Support Center, which provides free emotional support, information and social activities for individuals and families affected by cancer.

Sperber helped unveil and promote the breast cancer stamp with the U.S. Postal Service in 1998, Geffen said. In 1999, Sperber was named Woman of the Year by the Los Angeles County Commission for Women.

"The memory of Wendie Jo is that of a walking inspiration," Hanks said in a statement. "She met the challenges of her illness with love, cheer, joy and altruism. We are going to miss her as surely as we are all better for knowing her."

Sperber is survived by a 19-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter, her parents Charlene and Burt, sisters Ellice and Michelle and brother Richard.

I know she was best known for Bosom Buddies, but to me her most memorable performance will always be "I Wanna Hold your Hand". RIP Wendie

OMG nooooo

TheRealFiness said:

I know man, I couldn't BELIEVE it when I saw this, I am totally crushed.

i loved bosom buddies and when she and still then under the radar tom hanks were together in bachelor party
[Edited 12/1/05 8:10am]

This is terrible, I thought she had made it through.



Bachelor Party is one of my favorite movies!!

She was so beautiful, seemed to be such a sweet soul and carried herself so gracefully...



RIP, Wendie...

I always thought she looked like a chubby Jami Gertz.

I loved this woman!!!!! I actually ran into her in L.A. a couple of years back at an Avon Walk for Cancer. I said hi and moved on.

She was such a funny woman. I will always remember her sitting on the car-lift, naked, in the movie MOVING VIOLATIONS. Hilarious!!!!!

R.I.P.


M

Awww...I liked her on Bosom Buddies.

As soon as I read her name this morning, I knew exactly who she was. Man, this sucks.