‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ Star Amanda Peterson Dead at 43
Amanda Peterson, the star of the '80s romantic comedy Can't Buy Me Love, was reportedly found dead in her home over the holiday weekend (July 5).
According to TMZ, Peterson’s body was discovered yesterday at her home in Greeley, Colorado, after her family grew worried when they failed to hear from the former actress for several days.
Peterson’s father spoked to TMZ, saying that her cause of death is currently unknown, but noted that she moved out of her home after dealing with mold issues. It is unknown if health complications caused by the mold contributed to her death, but her father also said, “She had some illness and a sleep apnea problem that may have contributed.”
TMZ goes on to report that Peterson reportedly suffered from various medical problems over the past two years, citing pneumonia, sinusitis and sleep apnea among them.
Peterson is best known for playing the role of Cindy Mancini, opposite Patrick Dempsey, in 1987’s Can’t Buy Me Love, though she first emerged onto the scene at the age of nine, when she landed a role in the 1982 musical film Annie. Despite earning the Young Artist Award in the category of Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series for her role as Squirt Sawyer on the television show Boone, Peterson ultimately decided to leave the industry altogether a few years later. Her last film role was for the 1994 movie Windrunner.
Peterson was found dead at the age of 43.