The Heartbreaking Death Of That '70s Show Star Tanya Roberts

The new year may have just gotten off the ground, but the entertainment world is already mourning the loss of one of its own in the first few days of 2021. TMZ reports that former Charlie's Angel and Bond girl Tanya Roberts has died at the age of 65. Roberts collapsed after she went for a walk with her dogs on Christmas Eve. The actor was subsequently hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles where she was put on a ventilator but never recovered. In reporting her passing on Sunday, January 3, TMZ also said she appeared healthy in the days before the collapse — in fact, Roberts had recently been video chatting with fans. Though her official cause of death has not been released, Roberts' death was reportedly not related to COVID-19 — a fact confirmed to CNN by Mike Pingel, her longtime friend and publicist. Pingel confirmed the news on Roberts' Facebook page Sunday night, penning a heartbreaking post which simply read, "I'm very sad to have to post this. Yes, Tanya passed away today. I'm heartbroken." He later told CNN, "I'm devastated, I've been friends with Tanya for over 20 years. She was full of energy and we always had a wild time together. She was truly an angel and I will miss her so much." TMZ was later updated by Tanya's partner, Lance O'Brien, who told Pingel in error that she had died Sunday evening, as he apparently left before speaking to medical staff - assuming she was gone. O'Brien then received a call saying she was still alive, only for her to unfortunately pass away the following night. Depending on when you were born, you might remember actress Tanya Roberts as Bond girl Stacey Sutton in 1985's A Vew to a Kill alongside Roger Moore. Otherwise you'll remember her as Julie Rogers in the 1970s classic Charlie's Angels, a role she held from 1980 to 1981, or more recently as Midge Pinciotti and Donna's mom in That '70s Show from 1998 to 2004 according to IMDb. Roberts' movie and TV career spanned decades, with acting credits from 1976 to 2005, including her appearances in 1980s fantasy flicks like Sheena and The Beastmaster. Roberts was born Victoria Leigh Blum, according to ABC. Before her big break, she was best known for her work as a model for brands like Clairoland headache reliever Excedrin according to Showbiz Cheat Sheet. The native New Yorker met screenwriter Barry Roberts and the two married in 1974, eventually settling in Los Angeles to pursue acting. It was ultimately Barry's illness that prompted Tanya to walk away from Hollywood, taking her last major role in Barbershop in 2005, Us Weekly reports. Barry died in 2006, and the couple had no children. TMZ reports that Roberts is survived by her husband Lance, and her sister Barbara Chase. #TanyaRoberts #That70sShow