Actress Wendie Jo Sperber passed away from breast cancer. I believe that she was 42. Or somewhere in her early 40's. She also co-starred on 'Heart's Afire' with John Ritter and Billy Bob Thorton as his t.v. wife 'Mavis Davis'. :rip:.

Wendie Jo Sperber dead of cancer

Tom Hanks, 'Buddies' co-star, called her 'walking inspiration'

Thursday, December 1, 2005; Posted: 9:17 a.m. EST (14:17 GMT)

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Actress Wendie Jo Sperber, who starred opposite Tom Hanks on TV's "Bosom Buddies" and who in his words became "a walking inspiration" after she contracted cancer, has died. She was in her 40s.

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 the first and third "Back to the Future" films.

Her publicist first said Sperber was 46, but later said she was 43 based on an Internet resource. The Associated Press in September reported Sperber's age as 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, she 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 a breast cancer stamp for the U.S. Postal Service in 1998, Geffen said.

"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 son and daughter, her parents, two sisters and a brother.

Copyright ©2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CNN.com-December 1, 2005

I can't believe that Wendie Jo died. She will be truly missed by many. When I found out she died it really brought a tear into my eye. I was so shocked. I liked her on Hearts Afire. She did a really good job.


R.I.P. Wendie Jo Sperber

Wendie Jo Sperber was actually 47 at the time of her death.

Rest in Peace

Yes