After Premature Death Announcement, Tanya Roberts Is Dead at 65

Eric (Topher Grace, C) and Donna go on their first date with a little help from the parents on the First Date episode of That 70s Show Sunday, Feb. 14, 1999, on Fox. (From left: Debra Jo Rupp, Tanya Roberts, Kurtwood Smith, Grace and Don Stark. (Frank Carroll/Fox Broadcasting)

On Sunday, January 3rd, That 70s Show star Tanya Roberts was pronounced dead after collapsing outside her house on Christmas Eve. Her longtime partner Lance O’Brien confirmed her death after he visited Roberts in the hospital on Sunday and thought he witnessed her passing.

He recalls holding Roberts in his arms, and seeing the actress open and close her eyes, seemingly dying right in front of him. Of course being traumatized and distraught, O’Brien left the hospital without talking to doctors and incorrectly told Roberts’ rep that she had passed away.

According to Movie Web, certain co-stars of Roberts tweeted their condolences, including Topher Grace who played lead character Eric Forman in That 70s Show: “I was so sad to hear that Tanya Roberts has passed away. She was Bond girl, one of Charlie’s Angels, and truly a delightful person to work with”. There was then confusion, as Ashton Kutcher came to twitter to tell fans and Grace that Roberts was indeed still alive, saying “yo bro she’s not dead.” Kutcher then tweeted many other co-stars of Roberts saying the same thing, and it was thought that Roberts was actually going to be okay. 

Sadly, the celebration was short-lived and as of 9 pm on Monday night, O’Brien was officially informed that Roberts had passed away at the age of 65. The initial report was confirmed by TMZ. Our hearts go out to those who loved and knew Tanya.

Melissa Cusano: I love to escape reality with reading, writing, movies, and music! If I'm not working I love to go to concerts (pre-covid), play video games, and hang out with my dog Ozzi.
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