Amanda Peterson: former actress passes away at the age of 43

Amanda Peterson, the actress whose leading role in the 1987 comedy Can’t Buy Me Love briefly earned her status as a teen sensation, died on Sunday at the age of 43.

Amanda Peterson was found dead Sunday in her apartment in the 5100 block of 11th Street. Greeley police responded to Peterson’s home about 6 p.m. Sunday on a check well-being call after it was reported that she had missed an appointment.

Amanda Peterson’s door was unlocked when police arrived at her apartment. Officers entered and found Peterson dead inside.

The Weld County Coroner’s Office was scheduled to conduct an autopsy Monday morning to determine a cause and manner of death. Those details have not yet been released.

Amanda Peterson was one of three children born to Sylvia and Dr. James Peterson. Known in Hollywood simply as Amanda Peterson, she began her acting career at the age of 9 when she earned a supporting role in the 1982 film “Annie,” according to her IMDb.com profile.

Amanda Peterson would later use that early experience to secure roles on a number of 1980s television shows, including “Father Murphy,” “Silver Spoons” and “Boone.”

In 1985, she returned to the silver screen, acting alongside River Phoenix and Ethan Hawke, in “Explorers.” By the age of 14, Peterson had participated in more than 35 television commercials, three television series and four movies.

Amanda Peterson received her greatest international success with the 1987 comedy “Can’t Buy Me Love.” A year later she won the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series for her work on the Emmy Award-winning series “A Year in the Life.” The Young Artist Awards are considered the “Young Oscars,” according to IMDb.com.

Peterson’s other television and film credits include 1988’s “The Lawless Land,” which she starred in with her older sister Ann-Marie Peterson, 1989’s “Listen to Me,” and “Fatal Charm” released in 1990. In 1994, after participating in the memorable contemporary drama film “Windrunner,” Peterson left the entertainment industry, her IMDb.com profile stated.

Agencies/Canadajournal