Wendie Jo Sperber of 'Bosom Buddies'

[Miss Arnold]

Actress Wendie Jo Sperber, who starred opposite Tom Hanks on TV's "Bosom Buddies" and who in his words became "a walking inspiration" after she contracted cancer, has died. She 47.

Sperber died at home Wednesday, November 30, 2005 after an eight-year battle with breast cancer, publicist Jo-Ann Geffen said Wednesday.

A Los Angeles native, Sperber appeared in dozens of television shows and movies, including all three "Back to the Future" films.

Sperber also had roles in Steven Spielberg's "1941," Robert Zemeckis' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," and Neal Israel's "Moving Violations" and "Bachelor Party." Her television credits include "Murphy Brown," "Private Benjamin," "Will & Grace" and "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter."

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, the actress became an advocate for cancer care. In 2001, she founded the weSPARK Cancer Support Center, which provides free emotional support, information and social activities for individuals and families affected by cancer.

Sperber helped unveil and promote a breast cancer stamp for the U.S. Postal Service in 1998, Geffen said.

"The memory of Wendie Jo is that of a walking inspiration," Hanks said in a statement. "She met the challenges of her illness with love, cheer, joy and altruism. We are going to miss her as surely as we are all better for knowing her."

Sperber is survived by a son and daughter, her parents, two sisters and a brother.

[Journey2herpast]

I was floored when I saw during the screen actors guild awards show last night when they remembered those we had lost and Wendie Jo's pictured was shown I almost cried. I remember watching her loveable character Amy on Bossom Buddies, she was the one who had a crush on henry, Kip's friend. I will truely miss her. I didnt know she had breast cancer. It is so sad that woman are dying of breast cancer, I lost my grandmother to it and my daughter lost her mom from it, I will be glad when they one day find a cure for cancer and breast is a thing of the past and no more a thing of the possible future for another woman. may she rest in peace. 8-)I love you Wendy and I miss you already and I didn't even know you where gone. My condolensces to her children, her parents and her siblings. I always thought she was a cutie pie.