Amanda Peterson

 Amanda Peterson began acting at the age of 7. She made her debut as Gretl in the University of Northern Colorado's stage production of The Sound of Music. She made her film debut at the age of 8 in musical film Annie, as a dancing extra.  Peterson won her first starring role in feature film Explorer in 1985

Career

 In 1987, she was casted opposite Patrick Dempsey in the film Can’t Buy Me Love. The film was a sleeping hit, Peterson and Dempsey obtained teen idol status and subsequently appeared on the covers of teen magazines Tiger Beat and Teen Beat.  In 1986 she co-starred in miniseries A Year in the Life as "Sunny Sisk". The miniseries was third-highest rated miniseries of the 1986–87 U.S. television seasons. She was co-starred in film The Lawless Land in 1988 and in Listen to Me in 1989. Her final appearance on the screen was in the film Wind Runner in 1994.

Career Highlights

She is remembered for her roles Cynthia "Cindy" Mancini in “Can’t Buy Me Love “and Sunny Sisk in the television drama “A Year in the Life”.

Personal Life

Amanda Peterson married twice. First to Joseph Robert Skutvik and after the divorce married David Hartley. She had two children.

Final Years

After her retirement from entertainment industry she returned to her home Greeley, Colorado. She resumed her education. She attended Middlebury College, Colorado State University and University of Northern Colorado. She also modeled for a Colorado photographer in 2012.

Filmography

Amanda Peterson (1971–2015) was an American actress best known for her role as Cindy Mancini in the 1987 film Can't Buy Me Love. Below is a detailed overview of her filmography:

Film:

• Annie (1982): Peterson made her film debut as a dancer in this musical directed by John Huston.
• Explorers (1985): She portrayed Lori Swenson in this science fiction adventure alongside Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix.
• Can't Buy Me Love (1987): In her most iconic role, Peterson played Cindy Mancini, the popular high school cheerleader, opposite Patrick Dempsey.
• The Lawless Land (1988): She starred as Diana in this post-apocalyptic action film produced by Roger Corman.
• Listen to Me (1989): Peterson appeared as Donna Lumis in this drama about college debate teams, featuring Kirk Cameron and Jami Gertz.
• Fatal Charm (1990): She played Valerie in this thriller about a high school girl who becomes infatuated with a suspected serial killer.
• Posing: Inspired by Three Real Stories (1991): In this television movie, Peterson portrayed Abigail Baywood, one of three women who pose for a men's magazine.
• WindRunner (1994): Her final film role was as Julie Moore in this family fantasy about a high school athlete guided by the spirit of Jim Thorpe.

Television:

• Father Murphy (1981–1983): Peterson had a recurring role as Elizabeth in this drama series set in the 1870s.
• Silver Spoons (1982): She appeared in a guest role as Sally Frumbel in this sitcom about a wealthy young boy.
• Boone (1983–1984): Peterson co-starred as Squirt Sawyer in this drama series about a young man pursuing a music career in the 1950s.
• A Year in the Life (1986–1988): She played Sunny Sisk in both the miniseries and its subsequent television series adaptation, which earned her a Young Artist Award.
• Doogie Howser, M.D. (1990): Peterson guest-starred as Bernadette Callen in an episode of this medical comedy-drama series.
• Jack's Place (1992–1993): She appeared as Elodie Rayburn in this drama series centered around a jazz musician turned restaurateur.

Death

Amanda Peterson died on July3, 2015 at her home in Greeley, Colorado at the age of 43. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Peterson's mother Sylvia stated that while her daughter had issues with drugs when she was younger, she believed her to be drug-free when she died. She went on to say that her daughter's death, "...was not, in any way, a drug thing".

Awards:  In 1987, she won Young Actress award for her role in Television Drama Series “A Year in the Life”.

As a person

After her death speaking to media, Peterson’s mother said, "She was so great, she had a cute sense of humor and a love of history – just a very, very cute person."

Fellow stars Patrick Dempsey,paying tribute to her tweeted, "In my memory, she will always be vibrant and young. Gone too soon. Sending my thoughts and prayers to Amanda's family." 

Being an actor is a hard job. Only a few managed the fame, spotlight and the struggle. Like manyothers before Amanda Peterson is a fallen star; her blond hair and beautiful face will be remembered forever.

Interview with Amanda Peterson