Amanda Peterson obit

Amanda Peterson

'Can't Buy Me Love' Star Dies at 43

She was not on the list.

Actress Amanda Peterson, whose most famous role was in the 1987 romantic comedy Can't Buy Me Love, has died at age 43.

 

Sgt. Mike Moran with the Greeley, Colo., police department told the Associated Press that Peterson's body was found alone in an apartment Sunday. Moran said an investigation is ongoing but no other information was available.

Peterson's mother, Sylvia Peterson, told CNN that the actress died Friday morning.

"It's a big loss. Such a loveable person," Peterson told CNN. "She had some medical problems with her heart but we don't know the cause yet."

Peterson first appeared on the big screen at age 9 as a dancer in the 1982 adaptation of the play Annie, directed by John Huston. She would go on to make several television appearances, including an episode of Silver Spoons with Ricky Schroder.

Peterson's next film role was as Ethan Hawke's crush in the 1985 Sci-Fi comedy Explorers.

The role that brought her the most fame was as cheerleader Cindy Mancini, playing opposite Patrick Dempsey in Can't Buy Me Love. Dempsey played a high school nerd who pays the popular cheerleader Cindy to pretend to be his girlfriend. Of course, they end up really falling for each other.

Peterson's last film was Windrunner, in 1994, according to IMDB.com.

Filmography

Year       Title       Role       Notes

1982      Annie    Dancer Credited as Mandy Peterson

1982      Father Murphy Elizabeth              Episode: "Matthew and Elizabeth"

1982      Silver Spoons     Sally Frumbel     Episode: "Takin' a Chance on Love"

1983      Boone   Squirt Sawyer    13 episodes

1984      Best Kept Secrets             Gretchen             Television film

1985      Explorers             Lori Swenson    

1985      And the Children Shall Lead         Jenny    Television film

1986      A Year in the Life              Sunny Sisk           Miniseries

1986      Carly Mills           Trisha Mills         Television film

1987– 1988        A Year in the Life              Sunny Sisk           22 episodes

1987      Can't Buy Me Love           Cindy Mancini   

1988      The Lawless Land             Diana    

1989      Listen to Me       Donna Lumis     

1989      Love and Betrayal            Stephanie            Television film

Alternative title: Throw Away Wives

1990      Doogie Howser, M.D.      Bernadette Callen            Episode: "Vinnie's Blind Date"

1990      Fatal Charm        Valerie Television film

1991      Hell Hath No Fury             Michelle Ferguson           Television film

1991      Posing: Inspired by Three Real Stories     Abigail Baywood               Television film

Alternative title: I Posed for Playboy

1994      WindRunner       Julie Moore        Alternative title: WindRunner: A Spirited Journey