Tanya Roberts was one of the sexiest and funniest actresses of her time, dazzling audiences with her stunning beauty and talent in That ’70s Show and Charlie’s Angels.
Tragically, her unexpected passing was marked by confusion, as her boyfriend mistakenly announced her death , adding a bizarre twist to the loss of this vibrant star.
Before we dive into the bizarre circumstances surrounding Tanya Roberts’ passing, let’s take a moment to celebrate her incredible contributions to the screen.
In a world where her legacy seems somewhat overlooked today, a closer look at her impressive career reveals just how unforgettable she truly was. And I’m sure she created cherished memories for many of you reading this.
Running away from home
Born Victoria Leigh Blum in 1949, Tanya Roberts grew up in the gritty Bronx of New York City. The little girl with ice-blue eyes lived in a poor old house with her mother and big sisters. Despite her modest life, Roberts had big dreams of wearing beautiful clothes, riding horses, living in a mansion, and shopping in limousines. Most of all, she wanted to be a star in Hollywood.
At just 15 years old, she took a bold step and ran away to chase her dreams. This was after her family had moved to Toronto, where a tragic event would lead Roberts to distance herself from them. One day, shortly after her father tragically passed away, Tanya felt the walls closing in on her.
In that moment, she decided to leave home. After a heated argument with her mother, Roberts packed her bags and moved to a place in the Village, a neighborhood in Toronto. She supported herself by selling dance lessons to ”old guys”, who lusted after her body.
It wasn’t long before she met another boy, Colin, who had also dropped out of school. She fell head over heels for him.
“It just happened. A stupid, spontaneous thing. Colin was two years older than me, a Canadian, a dropout, doing nothing. It was a love affair that turned into hatred. We never were friends. We didn’t get along at all. But I loved him, you know. I was butterflies. I’d look at him and gasp, ‘Oh my God!’ I responded to the palpitations of the heart.”
Married in secret
The couple was together for seven months and married in secret. They moved to New York together, but then Colin’s mother intervened, annulling the marriage. Roberts and Colin were far too young and hadn’t received their parents’ consent.
Roberts never told her mother about the marriage; she didn’t want to shock her. Soon after, the relationship with Colin ended, but another man entered Roberts’s life— one who would change her whole life.
As Tanya Roberts pursued her acting dreams in New York, she met Barry Roberts while waiting in line for a movie. He was a truck driver earning $30 a week, and he quickly became her next great love.
It was actually Tanya who proposed to Barry in a subway station, and they quickly tied the knot in 1973. Her husband had originally set his sights on becoming a psychologist but soon dropped out of his studies to write scripts for various TV networks.
The couple moved to Hollywood, determined to lead as normal a life as possible.
”You know you’ve got the right guy when you can sit at home with him Saturday night, just you and him and pizza,” Tanya shared in 1980.
For most of their lives, Tanya and Barry lived peacefully and happily, tucked away in the serene and private surroundings of their secluded home in the Hollywood Hills.
“Living here is like being in the country, but civilization isn’t far away when I need it,” Tanya exclusively shared with Closer Weekly in 2015. “It’s the house I’d always dreamed of.”
Spell on Charlie’s Angels
Tanya Roberts’ upbringing on the streets of Bronx served her well when she landed the role of the streetwise Julie Roberts in Charlie’s Angels. Before that, she had already made a name for herself as a model in television ads and took on serious roles in off-Broadway productions like Picnic and Antigone.
However, it was in the summer of 1980 that the world truly took notice of her.
Tanya was chosen from over 2,000 candidates to replace Shelley Hack in the beloved detective series Charlie’s Angels, which was struggling to attract viewers.
The producers hoped that the vibrant 26-year-old would inject new life into the show alongside her co-stars, Jaclyn Smith, the last original ‘Angel,’ and Cheryl Ladd. With her charisma and talent, Tanya was determined to help turn the series around.
”I think there’s a lot of enthusiasm on the set. We are a real team. It’s very important for us to get along because it shows in our work. I think it’s hard do continually make a classy show every week for five years with three girls. It’s not Shakespeare but I think the public looks forward to seeing something new every week,” Roberts told The Daily Herald-Tribune in 1981.
Unfortunately, despite her efforts, Roberts — who described herself as a ‘workaholic’— couldn’t revive the series, and Charlie’s Angels was canceled in 1981.
However, her talent and dedication led to new opportunities in her career.
Nominated for Golden Raspberry Award
After Charlie’s Angels, Robert’s starred in a string of films that gained cult status, including The Beastmaster (1982), Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (1984), Body Slam (1987), and Night Eyes (1990).
Most people, however, associate her with her iconic roles as Stacey Sutton in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill and as Midge Pinciotti on That ’70s Show, where she captivated audiences from 1998 to 2004.
In A View to a Kill, Tanya Roberts starred alongside Roger Moore, and the film became a massive box office success. However, critics weren’t entirely convinced; in retrospect, Moore himself expressed disappointment, stating that it was his worst Bond film due to its excessive blood and violence.
At 57, the Hollywood legend faced criticism for being too old for the role, and he even quipped about the age gap, revealing that he was mortified to discover he was older than Roberts’ mother. In a December 2007 interview, he humorously remarked, ”I was only about four hundred years too old for the part.”
Tanya, too, faced her share of criticism after her Bond debut. Interestingly, she wasn’t the original choice for the role. Producers had initially hoped to cast Priscilla Presley, but she was tied up with her contract for Dallas. They even considered former Bond girl Barbara Bach before ultimately selecting Tanya Roberts. Despite her efforts, she was nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress, although she lost the dubious honor to Linda Blair, who appeared in Night Patrol.
Losing her husband
For the younger generation, many recognize Tanya Roberts from her role as Midge Pinciotti on the beloved sitcom That ’70s Show. She was a cherished presence on the show but had to leave after the third season.
The reason? Her husband, Barry, had become seriously ill, and she wanted to be there for him. Tragically, Barry died at the age of 60 after a long four-and-a-half-year battle with encephalitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the brain tissue, leading to personality changes, seizures, and weakness.
Tanya and Barry stood by each other from their marriage in 1973 until his passing in 2006. The couple never had any children.
Mysterious death
After the heartbreaking loss of her husband Barry in 2006, Tanya Roberts found love again with Lance O’Brien. The two met while working for Tahiti Village, a Las Vegas resort — Tanya as a spokesmodel. They spent 18 years together, seemingly inseparable, but their world took a tragic turn in December 2020.
At 71, Tanya was still vibrant and full of life, known for her daily hikes up the Hollywood Hills. Described as ”healthy as a horse,” there was no indication of any serious health issues. However, just before Christmas, Tanya began experiencing lower intestinal pain and difficulty breathing.
These symptoms surfaced during one of her hikes, and though she initially thought it might be COVID-19. Early the next morning, she collapsed, unable to get up, and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital.
Doctors determined Tanya had developed a severe urinary tract infection that had progressed to sepsis. The infection quickly spread to her liver, kidneys, and gallbladder, ultimately leading to multi-organ failure.
Tubes up her nose
“She was talking when I called 911. Next thing I know, she’s in intensive care on oxygen and she’s extremely sick,” O’Brien shared with the Daily Mail.
When O’Brien was finally allowed to see her, Tanya was barely conscious, kept alive by a ventilator. The iconic actress, who had once graced screens as a glamorous star, could only blink in response to her partner’s presence.
”When she saw me and I was there, I saw her eyes open,” he said. “I felt good. I said, ‘Hey, her eyes are opening. Her eyes are opening.’ They told me that’s just a reflex,” O’Brien told Inside Edition.
Sadly, Tanya’s final days were both chaotic and heartbreaking.
O’Brien expressed his frustration with the hospital’s handling of Tanya’s care, stating, “She had tubes up her nose and throat, and they kept calling her Victoria —she hasn’t been called that since she was a teenager. It was so busy, I can’t begin to tell you what an awful, terrible experience it was.”
“I think COVID played a big part in it,” O’Brien added. “If you called the hospital, it sounded like something out of [sitcom] M.A.S.H.”
Cause of death
Tanya’s condition worsened, and on January 3, 2021, she was taken off life support. The beloved star passed away on January 4.
However, the aftermath of her death was even more chaotic. The news of Tanya’s passing was initially announced prematurely by her publicist, leading to confusion.
In a bizarre twist, O’Brien learned she was still alive during a live interview with Inside Edition.
“Now, you’re telling me she’s alive?” O’Brien exclaimed, answering a phone call from the hospital mid-interview. Crying, he added, “The hospital is telling me she is alive. They are calling me from the ICU team.”
Eventually, all the confusion cleared up, and it became evident that Tanya Roberts had indeed passed away. However, the mix-ups didn’t stop there – several sources incorrectly reported her age as 65 at the time of her death. Despite the fact that she was actually 71, some outlets still haven’t corrected this mistake, even three years later.
Her last will
The handwritten note left behind by Tanya Roberts offered a hauntingly intimate and bittersweet glimpse into her final thoughts. According to Fox News, Roberts left her entire estate, valued at over $3 million, to her longtime partner, Lance O’Brien. She signed the note using both her Hollywood name, Tanya Roberts, and her birth name, Victoria Blum.
“I have no reason to live,” Tanya wrote, and she also made it clear that none of her estate would go to her sister, Barbara Leary, or her nephew, Zack Leary.
Instead, Roberts left everything to O’Brien, though the letter suggests their relationship may not have been as loving as it seemed to the public.
”I want to leave my house … and all its belongings to my best friend Lance O’Brien – I also leave my two dogs and my Pension Plan check to Lance O’Brien,” the actress penned, as captured in images obtained by Page Six.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking part of the note comes when she acknowledged the disconnect in their relationship. ”I know you don’t love me but you have been a true friend & for that I’m [grateful],” she wrote. ”Have a good life & don’t blame this on yourself. I was always [too] sensitive to live in this world.”
Behind the face
Tanya Roberts’ final chapter may have been marked by sorrow and confusion, but it’s important to remember the light she brought into the world.
When you take a moment to look back at old photos of her — whether she’s on set, starring in her iconic roles, or even candid behind-the-scenes shots — a picture emerges of a woman who was not only stunningly beautiful but fiercely independent.
At just 15, she knew exactly what she wanted out of life. Becoming a Charlie’s Angel made her immortal in Hollywood’s eyes, but what really stood out was how she handled fame. While some may have expected her journey through stardom to come with heartbreak, bad roles, or failed marriages, Tanya took a different path.
She remained loyal to her husband, Barry Roberts, staying by his side through illness and even stepping away from her career to care for him. That kind of dedication and strength speaks volumes about the kind of woman she truly was.
Looking back at those early photos and moments reminds us of her grace, resilience, and the lasting impression she left on her fans and loved ones alike!
Came Back from Vacation to Find a Stranger Living in My House — He Refused to Leave, So I Took Matters into My Own Handsnew 758
Returning from a blissful Hawaiian vacation, Lisa and her two young children were shocked to find an unwelcome guest comfortably settled in their home. Faced with an uncooperative squatter and little help from the police, Lisa was forced to take drastic measures to reclaim her family’s sanctuary.
A woman and her two children | Source: Midjourney
Hi everyone, I’m Lisa, a 38-year-old single mom of two wonderful kids. There’s Ethan, my energetic 8-year-old son, and Chloe, my thoughtful 10-year-old daughter. We just got back from a dream vacation in Hawaii. It was supposed to be a relaxing break, but what happened when we came home was anything but relaxing.
We’d been looking forward to this trip to Hawaii for months. Chloe had made a whole list of things she wanted to do, and Ethan couldn’t wait to see the volcanoes. I needed this break as much as they did. It had been a tough year, and a week in paradise seemed like the perfect escape.
A tired woman dreaming about her vacation | Source: Midjourney
Before we left, I made sure everything was set at home. I asked my sister, Emily, to take care of our dogs, Luna and Max. She loves them almost as much as we do, and I knew they were in good hands.
Emily was thrilled to help. “Don’t worry about a thing, Lisa. I’ll take good care of Luna and Max. You just enjoy your vacation.”
A woman with her two dogs | Source: Midjourney
“Thanks, Emily. I really appreciate it,” I said, feeling a bit lighter knowing the dogs were in good hands.
A couple of days into our trip, Emily called me.
“Hey, Lisa, can my friend Mark stay at your place for a night? He’s in a bit of a tough spot.”
I hesitated. “Just for one night?”
A woman calling her sister | Source: Midjourney
“Yeah, just one night. I promise.”
“Okay, but only one night,” I agreed, thinking it would be fine.
Hawaii was everything we had hoped for. We hiked through lush forests, swam in the crystal-clear ocean, and even took a helicopter ride over a volcano. Chloe was in awe of the sea turtles, and Ethan couldn’t get enough of the pineapple smoothies. It was a perfect getaway, and for a moment, all our worries seemed to melt away under the Hawaiian sun.
Palm trees during sunset | Source: Pexels
We got back from Hawaii on a sunny afternoon. The kids were exhausted but happy. As soon as we walked in, I felt something was off. The house was too quiet. Usually, Luna and Max would be at the door, tails wagging. Now, they were sitting behind the couch, terrified.
“Stay here with your brother,” I told Chloe, my heart pounding. “I need to check something upstairs.”
A scared woman in her home | Source: Midjourney
I climbed the stairs, my anxiety growing with each step. When I got to my bedroom, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was Mark, sprawled out on my bed, with his things all over the place.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded.
He looked up lazily. “Oh, hey, Lisa. I just needed to stay a bit longer. I’m job hunting in LA.”
A man in his trashed room | Source: Midjourney
“That wasn’t the deal,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “You need to leave. Now.”
He didn’t even flinch. “I need another week. Emily said it’d be okay.”
“No, it’s not okay. Get out,” I insisted.
He just shrugged and went back to his laptop. I couldn’t believe it. I stormed downstairs, my heart racing.
A man working on his laptop in his bed | Source: Midjourney
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Chloe asked, her eyes wide with concern.
I called the police, thinking they’d help me get Mark out. When they arrived, I felt a glimmer of hope.
“Thank goodness you’re here,” I said. “There’s a man in my house who won’t leave.”
One of the officers nodded. “Let’s talk to him.”
The police sirens | Source: Pexels
We all went upstairs, and the officer spoke to Mark. He calmly explained that he needed more time and had nowhere else to go.
“Ma’am, this is a civil matter,” the officer told me. “You’ll need to go through the eviction process.”
“Eviction process? But he’s only been here a few days!” I was shocked and frustrated.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. There’s nothing we can do right now.”
I felt my stomach drop. “So he just gets to stay here?”
A shocked blonde woman talking to a policeman | Source: Midjourney
“Legally, yes. You’ll need to file for eviction.”
The officers left, and I was fuming. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. I had two kids and a house to protect. I couldn’t let this stranger stay here any longer. I went back downstairs, trying to stay calm for Ethan and Chloe.
“Is everything okay, Mom?” Chloe asked.
“No, sweetheart,” I sighed. “But I’m going to fix it. Don’t worry.”
A mother and her daughter on their front porch | Source: Midjourney
Ethan tugged at my sleeve. “Can we still play outside?”
I forced a smile. “Of course, buddy. Just stay in the backyard where I can see you.”
As they went outside, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew I had to come up with a plan, and fast. There was no way I was letting Mark stay in my house another day.
A child running | Source: Pexels
After watching my kids play for some time, I called Emily. She felt awful and apologized repeatedly.
“Lisa, I’m so sorry. I had no idea he’d pull something like this,” she said, her voice full of guilt.
“It’s not your fault, Emily. But we need to get him out. I can’t let him stay here any longer.”
“Let’s think this through,” she replied. “We need a plan that won’t get us in trouble.”
A woman talking on her phone in her living room | Source: Midjourney
We brainstormed ideas and finally came up with a solution. We would wait until Mark left the house, then pack his belongings and leave them outside. We’d lock all the doors and refuse to let him back in. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best we could do without breaking the law.
“Are you sure this will work?” Emily asked, sounding unsure.
“It has to. I can’t have him here another day,” I said firmly.
A woman talking to her sister on her phone in her living room | Source: Midjourney
The next evening, I watched from the window as Mark left to grab dinner. Emily arrived, and we wasted no time.
“Let’s do this quickly,” I said, trying to stay calm.
We hurried upstairs and started packing his things. Clothes, laptop, toiletries—we stuffed everything into his bags. My heart was pounding, and I could see Emily was just as nervous.
“What if he comes back early?” she whispered.
A blonde woman packing a bag | Source: Midjourney
“We’ll deal with it. Just keep packing,” I replied.
We finished in record time and dragged his bags to the front porch. We locked the doors and windows, then sat down to wait.
Two hours later, Mark returned. I watched from the window as he approached the porch, saw his bags, and realized what had happened. He started pounding on the door, shouting.
An angry young man on the porch | Source: Midjourney
“Open the door! You can’t do this!” he yelled.
I took a deep breath and opened the window just a crack. “You need to leave, Mark. Your things are outside. This is my house.”
“You can’t kick me out! I have rights!” he screamed.
“You were only supposed to stay one night. You’ve overstayed your welcome. Leave now, or I’ll call the police again,” I said, trying to sound firm.
A woman screaming in her living room | Source: Midjourney
Mark wasn’t backing down. He pulled out his phone and called the police. I could hear him ranting about being locked out of the house. A short while later, a different set of officers arrived.
“What seems to be the problem here?” one of them asked.
“She locked me out! I have nowhere to go!” Mark exclaimed.
The officer turned to me. “Ma’am, can you explain what’s going on?”
A police officer | Source: Pexels
I explained everything from the beginning, emphasizing that Mark was only supposed to stay one night. The officer listened carefully, then turned back to Mark.
“Do you have any proof that she gave you permission to stay longer?” he asked.
Mark fumbled, trying to come up with an excuse. “It was verbal. I don’t have it in writing. There might have been a message, but I think I deleted it accidentally.”
“Can I see your ID, sir?” the officer asked.
A bewildered young man | Source: Pexels
Mark handed over his ID, and the officer radioed in to check his background. A moment later, the officer’s expression changed.
“Sir, you have an outstanding warrant for a shoplifting charge. I’m afraid we’ll have to take you in.”
Mark’s face went pale. “What? No, this is a mistake!”
The officer cuffed him and led him to the patrol car. “Ma’am, we’ll handle this from here. He won’t be coming back.”
A policeman arresting a man | Source: Pexels
As the police drove away with Mark, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. I turned to Emily, who looked equally relieved.
“We did it,” I said, finally able to smile.
“Yeah, we did. I’m so sorry for all this, Lisa.”
“It’s okay, Emily. It’s over now.”
Two women hugging | Source: Pexels
When I told Ethan and Chloe, they were happy to hear that everything was back to normal. Chloe gave me a big hug. “I’m glad he’s gone, Mom.”
“Me too, sweetie,” I said, feeling a surge of relief.
That night, we slept peacefully, knowing our home was safe again. We had faced a nightmare, but we came out stronger. Our home was truly ours once more.
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