‘That ’70s Show’ Cast Mourn the Loss of Tanya Roberts — ‘We Lost a Great One’
Tanya Roberts, known for her roles as a “Bond Girl” and Midge Pinciotti on That ’70s Show, died at the age of 65-years-old on Jan. 3, 2021. Roberts’ co-stars from That ’70s Show are mourning her loss.
Tanya Roberts was an icon across multiple generations
Before she became known as Midge Pinciotti, Roberts was born Victoria Leigh Blum in October 1955. She kicked off her career in modeling, working for brands like Clairol and Excedrin, then began acting in off-broadway roles.
Later in her career, Roberts became known for replacing Shelley Hack in season 5 of the Charlie’s Angels television series. In 1985, Roberts became the famed Bond girl Stacey Sutton in A View to a Kill.
When That ’70s Show aired on FOX in 1998, Roberts garnered a new generation of fans. Roberts will be best remembered for her roles as a Bond Girl Donna’s (Laura Prepon) mom, Midge Pinciottic.
Despite her beloved role on That ’70s Show, Roberts chose to leave the show in 2001 to care for her terminally ill husband, Barry Roberts. The two were married in 1974 and together until Barry’s death in 2006.
Tanya Roberts’ cause of death is unknown at this time
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Roberts was walking her dogs on Christmas Eve when she collapsed. Roberts was admitted to Cedar-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles and died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021.
Roberts’ close friend and representative rep Mike Pingel told the outlet Roberts’ death was not related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“I’m devastated,” Pingel explained to the outlet. “She was brilliant and beautiful and I feel like a light has been taken away. To say she was an angel would be at the top of the list. She was the sweetest person you’d ever meet and had a huge heart. She loved her fans, and I don’t think she realized how much she meant to them.”
At this time, Roberts’ official cause of death has yet to be announced.
‘That ’70s Show’ cast remember Tanya Roberts fondly
Fans that the cast of That ’70s Show have taken to social media to mourn Roberts’ loss. Danny Masterson, who played Steven Hyde on the comedy series, was the first to share his feelings regarding Roberts’ loss on Twitter.
“That ’70s Show was her favorite show,” Roberts’ friend and representative Pingel told USA Today. “[Roberts] really loved doing comedy.”
“I was so sad to hear that Tanya Roberts has passed away,” Topher Grace, who played That ’70s Show lead Eric Forman, tweeted Jan. 4. He continued, writing:
She was a Bond girl, one of Charlie’s Angels, and truly a delightful person to work with. I had never acted before and, to be honest, a little nervous around her. But she couldn’t have been kinder. We’ll miss you Midge.
Roberts’ That ’70s Show co-stars including Prepon, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Debra Jo Rupp, and Kurtwood Smith have not yet spoken out about her death. Don Stark, Roberts’ on-screen husband, has also yet to comment.
UPDATE: Roberts’ publicist confirmed to TMZ that she was still alive Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. According to Pingel, Roberts’ domestic partner Lance O’Brien assumed Roberts was dead Jan. 3, 2020. Why O’Brien left the hospital without confirmation and claiming Roberts “died in his arms” is unclear at this time.
After the miscommunication about her death, Roberts died later Jan. 4, 2021, according to Page Six.
