Stars from across the entertainment world are mourning the loss ofactress Annie Wersching, who died at age 45 on Sunday after being diagnosed with cancer.
Wersching — known for her roles in24,Star Trek: Picard,Vampire DiariesandTimeless—was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, perDeadline.
As news of her death circulated, many, including her former costars, shared tributes for Wersching on social media and sending followers to aGoFundMe pageset up in her name, which has raised nearly $150,000 in support of her husband, Stephen Full, and their three kids: Freddie, 12, Ozzie, 9, and Archie, 4.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Annie Wersching. She was a wonderful and talented person I was lucky enough to know. Please consider contributing to theGoFundMe pageset up in her name,“Vampires DiariesactorPaul Wesleywrote on his Instagram Stories on Sunday alongside a photo of the pair together.
The pair starred opposite each other inThe Vampires Diaries, with Annie playing Paul’s on-screen mother Lily Salvatore inThe CWseries.
Kiefer Sutherland, who played the lead role of Jack Bauer in24, also paid tribute to his costar on Twitter. “The world lost a light today,” the actor, 56, wrote, noting that Wersching “was one of the greatest actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and my friend.”
“My heart breaks for her young family,” Sutherlandsaid. “May she be remembered for the beautiful person that she was.”
Star WarsactorMark Hamillresponded to Sutherland’s tweet with a single broken heart emoji.
Wersching also provided the voice for Tess inThe Last of Usvideo game. Neil Druckmann, the creative director of new HBO Max series based on the game, paid tribute to the star on Twitter.
“Just found out my dear friend, Annie Wersching, passed away. We just lost a beautiful artist and human being. My heart is shattered. Thoughts are with her loved ones,” he wrote.
Annie’sTimelessco-starAbigail Spencershared a photo of the actress during a read-through for the NBC series.
“My darling @anniewersching. The best scene partner. My arch #Timeless nemesis where we could barely keep a straight face. This is a devastating loss to our community,” wrote the formerSuitsactress on Sunday amid news of Wersching’s death. “She was the backbone of many of your favorite shows & ours. The ringer. When you needed someone to come in and kick ass or elevate a story line or your life line: call Annie.”
Wersching, a St. Louis native, got her start on-screen with appearances in films such asBruce Almightyand series such asStar Trek: Enterprise,Charmed,RunawaysandSupernatural, before eventually earning a recurring role as Renee Walker in the series24.
She appeared on24for two seasons, before taking on several other television roles throughout her career, including a main role as Julia Brasher in Amazon Studios’Bosch. She also recently played the role of the Borg Queen onStar Trek: Picard, and had a recurring part onThe Rookie.
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“She wanted to protect her boys. She wanted to get better so she could continue working. And honestly, she just didn’t really want to talk about it. She wanted to live her life, on her terms, and be with her family,” reads the fundraiser description.
Full announced his late wife’s death in a statement toDeadline. “There is a cavernous hole in the soul of this family today,” he said. “But she left us the tools to fill it. She found wonder in the simplest moment. She didn’t require music to dance. She taught us not to wait for adventure to find you. ‘Go find it. It’s everywhere.’ And find it we shall.”
“As I drove our boys, the true loves of her life, down the winding driveway and street, she would yell BYE! until we were out of earshot and into the world. I can still hear it ringing. Bye, my Buddie. ‘I love you, little family…’ "
source: people.com