Actress Jennifer Runyon, best known for her memorable supporting role in the 1984 blockbuster Ghostbusters and as Gwendolyn Pierce in the first season of the CBS sitcom Charles in Charge, passed away on March 6, 2026, at the age of 65. Her death, following a brief battle with cancer, was confirmed by her close friend Erin Murphy in a heartfelt Facebook post.
Murphy wrote: “So sad to share that my friend Jennifer Runyon Corman has passed away after a brief battle with cancer. 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.” She added in tribute: “She will always be remembered for her love of life and her devotion to her family and friends. I know from above she’s looking down on all of us with her beautiful smile. Rest in peace, our Jenn.”
Table of Contents
Complete Biography and Early Life
Jennifer Victoria Runyon was born on April 1, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, to radio announcer and disc jockey Jim Runyon and actress Jane Roberts. She had one half-brother, Scott, from her father’s first marriage. Due to her father’s career, the family moved frequently across various U.S. cities during her childhood.
Runyon made her feature-film debut at age 20 in the 1980 slasher film To All a Goodnight. She went on to build a career primarily in the 1980s with supporting and lead roles in comedies, horror, and television sitcoms. After a busy decade, she largely stepped back from acting in the early 1990s to focus on family life. In 2014, she described herself as semi-retired and working as a teacher; she also co-hosted a cooking podcast. She made sporadic returns to independent films and projects in the 2010s and 2020s.
Personal Life and Family
On March 9, 1991, Runyon married Todd Corman, a collegiate women’s basketball coach (with coaching stints at schools including Loyola Marymount University, Albertson College of Idaho, and Oregon State University) who also worked in film and television production as an assistant director. The couple had two children: son Wyatt and daughter Bayley. They resided in San Clemente, California. In later years, Runyon worked with Tilly’s Life Center, a Southern California nonprofit supporting youth mental health.
Health and Cause of Death
Runyon died of cancer on March 6, 2026, following a brief illness. She was surrounded by family at the time of her passing, according to tributes. No further medical details were disclosed publicly.
Career Highlights, Movies, and Television
Runyon’s most iconic roles came in the mid-1980s. She played a female student (the one tested by Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman in the ESP experiment) in Ghostbusters (1984) and the lead role of Gwendolyn Pierce in the first season of Charles in Charge (1984–85, with a 1987 guest return). She also portrayed Cindy Brady in the 1988 TV movie A Very Brady Christmas.
Full Filmography (Film)
- 1980: To All a Goodnight – Nancy
- 1984: Up the Creek – Heather Merriweather
- 1984: Ghostbusters – Female Student
- 1985: The Falcon and the Snowman – Carole
- 1986: Flight of the Spruce Goose – Terry
- 1988: The In Crowd – Vicky (lead)
- 1988: 18 Again! – Robin Morrison
- 1990: A Man Called Sarge – Fifi LaRue
- 1991: Killing Streets – Sandra Ross
- 1993: Carnosaur – Ann “Thrush”
- 2015: Silent Night, Bloody Night 2: Revival – Carol Brickman
- 2016: Terror Tales – Melanie (segment: “Epidemic”)
- 2017: Bloodsucka Jones vs. The Creeping Death – Nurse Zarkov
- 2019: Cleanin’ Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters – Herself (documentary)
Full Filmography (Television, including movies and series)
- 1981–82: Another World – Sally Frame (main cast)
- 1983: The Fall Guy – Kate (“Hollywood Shorties”)
- 1983: Boone – Connie Sue (“Second Fiddle”)
- 1984: The Master – Alicia Clayton (“Hostages”)
- 1984–85, 1987: Charles in Charge – Gwendolyn Pierce (main cast 1984–85; guest 1987)
- 1985: Space – Marcia Grant (miniseries)
- 1986: Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story – Angel Fisher (TV movie)
- 1986: Blue de Ville – J.C. Smith (TV movie)
- 1986: Pros & Cons – Christy (TV movie)
- 1987: Magnum, P.I. – Christine Maxfield Bentley (“Murder by Night”)
- 1987: The Highwayman – Amanda Merrick
- 1987: Who’s the Boss? – Doreen (“Hell on Wheels”)
- 1988: Dear John – Karen (“The Younger Girl”)
- 1988: Valerie – Gwen (“Foiled Again”)
- 1988: A Very Brady Christmas – Cindy Brady (TV movie)
- 1989: Quantum Leap – Peggy Stratton (pilot episodes: “Genesis”)
- 1989–91: Murder, She Wrote – Rebecca Beiler / Kelly Barrett (2 episodes)
- 1990: Booker – Linda Fowler (“The Red Dot”)
- 1991: Beverly Hills, 90210 – Christine (“Down and Out of District in Beverly Hills”)
- 1991: Tagteam – Rita Valentine (TV movie)
- 1992: Vinnie & Bobby – Hillary Bomgarden (“Spring is in the Air”)
- 1992: Till Death Us Do Part – Judy Davis (TV movie)
Additional guest appearances included The Hogan Family and others in the late 1980s/early 1990s. She also appeared in the pilot for Quantum Leap and had roles in films like The In Crowd (1988 lead) and 18 Again! (1988).
Awards
Runyon received no major awards or nominations during her career.
Runyon will be remembered for her sunny on-screen presence, her iconic 1980s roles that defined a generation of fans, and her dedication to family and community work after stepping back from Hollywood. She is survived by her husband Todd Corman and their children Wyatt and Bayley. Tributes continue to pour in from friends, colleagues, and fans who cherished her performances in Ghostbusters, Charles in Charge, and beyond.
