Jennifer Runyon, 'Ghostbusters' Actress, Dies at 65

Jennifer Runyon, an American actress known for her roles in 1980s pop culture, passed away last Friday at 65. She is especially remembered for her short but memorable part in the classic fantasy film 'Ghostbusters'.

In the famous Ivan Reitman film, Runyon played a student taking part in an ESP experiment. Bill Murray's character, parapsychologist Peter Venkman, led the experiment. The scene was notable for the interaction between them, as Venkman seemed more interested in the young woman than just her psychic abilities, which he tested using symbol cards.

Beyond 'Ghostbusters,' Runyon was also in the first season of the TV series 'Charles in Charge,' which aired from 1984 to 1990. Later, she played Cindy Brady in the TV movie 'A Very Brady Christmas.' This film reunited the original cast of 'The Brady Bunch,' and Runyon stepped into the role usually played by Susan Olsen.

Her film career started in the early 1980s with the slasher movie 'To All a Goodnight.' In 1984, the same year 'Ghostbusters' came out, she also appeared in 'Up the Creek,' another film for young audiences. The following year, 1985, she worked with director John Schlesinger, playing a supporting role in the thriller 'The Falcon and the Snowman.'

Eventually, her career mainly shifted to television. She appeared in shows like 'Quantum Leap,' 'Murder, She Wrote,' 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' and 'Vinnie & Bobby.' She also starred in the comedy 'Couch Potatoes' and was part of the cast for 'P.S. I Luv U.'

In 2014, Jennifer Runyon decided to retire from acting for good. She then dedicated the rest of her life to teaching.