Editor’s Note (2): The story has been updated to reflect latest information from a report that says Roberts’ partner has confirmed her death.
Editor’s Note (1): Previous statements by Roberts’ publicist, Mike Pingel, indicated that the actress had passed away on Monday. These statements are now disputed, and Pingel now claims that his information was inaccurate.
Actress Tanya Roberts reportedly died Monday night after suffering complications from a UTI, her partner told Fox News on Tuesday. The infection reportedly “got into her blood” after spreading to her liver, kidney and gallbladder, the outlet reported.
Roberts’ publicist, Mike Pingel, originally announced the news of Roberts’ death on the actress’ Facebook fan page Monday before the actress had actually passed away. Roberts’ partner Lance O’Brien had mistakenly told the publicist that Roberts had passed Sunday.
“I’m very sad to have to post this,” Pingel originally shared on Facebook. “Yes, Tanya passed away today. I’m heart broken.”
“I’m devastated,” Pingel told The Hollywood Reporter. “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.” (RELATED: Hollywood Star Lynn Kellogg, Known For Her Role In ‘Hair,’ Dies After Contracting COVID-19)
Roberts had been hospitalized on Dec. 24, according to the outlet. The actress was walking her dogs when she collapsed. Roberts did not die from COVID-19 related causes, the outlet reported at the time.
Roberts grabbed her first prominent role in 1980 during the final season of “Charlie’s Angels.” The role was followed by Roberts’ debut as a bond girl in “A View To Kill.” The actress was most known for her role as Midge Pinciotti, Donna Pinciotti’s mother, in “That 70s Show.”
“‘That 70s Show’ was her favorite show, she really loved doing comedy,” Pingel told USA Today.
Roberts left the show in 2001 to care for her ill husband.