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!
Melania Trump sparks wild ‘body double’ conspiracy theory with sunglasses on Election Day
Donald Trump is once again moving into the White House. As of Wednesday morning, networks such as CNN and Fox, as well as news agencies such as the Associated Press, have all called the election for the controversial politician, who held his victory speech late Tuesday with his wife, Melania Trump, by his side.
The build-up to the election has been quite different for the husband and wife duo when compared with 2016 and 2020. Melania was barely seen with her husband for the entirety of this presidential campaign, instead remaining in New York City.
Just what will happen moving forward regarding her moving back into the White House again or not, only time will tell. Interestingly, a debate about whether Melania Trump was really at her husband’s side when Donald cast his vote for the 2024 election has taken the internet by storm. Was it a body double? Well, some say there’s one detail that proves so.
Late Tuesday evening, many television networks and newspapers began projecting President-elect Donald Trump as America’s 47th president. Now it’s done.
He becomes only the second-ever President to win two nonconsecutive terms, and in January will return to the White House once more. Early Wednesday, Trump addressed his supporters from Florida, thanking them for their support.
Donald Trump praised wife Melania Trump during victory speech
“We have a country that needs help, and it needs help very badly. We’re going to fix our borders, and we’re going to fix everything about our country,” Trump said. He added a promise to the American people that “every single day I will be fighting for you,” continuing to claim it would be the “golden age of America.”
Trump was surrounded by his close family, including his wife, Melania Trump, and his children. He and Melania’s son, Barron Trump, just turned 18 and voted for the first time in the election. In his speech early Wednesday, Trump praised Melania, calling her memoir the top-selling book in the country.
“She works very hard to help people. So, I just wanted to thank her,” Trump said.
Melania was at her husband’s side during his past presidential campaigns, but in 2024, it was a whole different story. The former POTUS released her memoir earlier this year, and in its pages openly disagreed with her husband’s stance on abortion, stating that she supported women’s reproductive rights.
“It is imperative to guarantee that women have autonomy in deciding their preference of having children, based on their own convictions, free from any intervention or pressure from the government,” Melania wrote in her memoir Melania.
Why Melania Trump has been absent from Donald Trump’s presidential campaign
“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she added. “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”
After her husband lost to President Joe Biden in the 2020 race, Melania largely retreated from the public eye. She has remained absent from Donald Trump’s public endeavors, including most of his most recent presidential campaign.
What she’s been up to instead was on many people’s minds, not least Trump voters. During a town hall meeting in February, Fox News Host Laura Ingraham asked Donald if Melania would join him at his rallies. Trump explained that Melania’s dedication lay with their son, Barron.
“They love her, I’ll tell you,” Trump responded. “And you know her. She’s a very brilliant person. She speaks many languages, the whole thing.”
“Her life revolves around that boy, [he’s] so important to her. At the same time, it also revolves around our country and the success of our country. She’s raised a lot of money for charity.”
Barron Trump began his first year at New York University in September. That is reportedly why Melania hasn’t been with her husband on the campaign trail; instead, she has focused on supporting her son.
Melania Trump “not likely” to use White House as primary residence, source says
The former and future First Lady has barely spoken about her husband and his presidential campaign, and many have wondered whether she will accompany him to the White House.
People Magazine spoke to sources “in Melania’s orbit” about it.
“If Melania becomes first lady again, of course people expect her to move into the White House and perform appropriate duties,” a source close to the Trump family said, adding that Melania isn’t keen on relocating to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
“She will have her private living apartment there, and she has her home in New York, and her home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. She will spend time in all of these places,” the source added, concluding that it’s “not likely” that the White House will be her primary residence.
In the end, on election day, Melania Trump finally appeared by her husband’s side when they went to cast their vote at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida.
Social media users were quick to comment on Melania’s lack of enthusiasm for being back in the spotlight, with one claiming that she even looked as if she was “attending a funeral.”
Body language expert says Melania Trump looked “solemn”
It wasn’t only social media users on X that had a say about Melania. Body language expert Judi James told the Mirror that Melania’s election day look was very different from her past styles.
“By Melania’s normal standards this is a very subdued, down-played look as she accompanies her rather low-energy-looking husband with his slumped shoulders and face partly-covered by a baseball cap to cast their votes,” Judi told the Mirror. “Her smile seems almost compensatory here as Trump’s facial expression is rather solemn and he graciously and gallantly motions for her to walk in first.”
The body language expert continued: “Melania’s FLOTUS looks tended to be high-vis numbers that became increasingly tailored, high-status power-suits towards the end of their term, so this casual shirt dress with her hair softly flowing to the side has no echoes of that previous stint. The Trump’s mood here might have been self-described as ‘confident’ but that sentiment is not reflected in their body language in these photos.”
So, Melania might not have looked enthusiastic about being back in the spotlight. But according to a new theory, she wasn’t even there at all. The internet went wild over a quite absurd theory that claimed it was, in fact, a body double.
‘Fake Melania Trump’ theory floods social media
Melania Trump wore a chic Christian Dior black-and-white polka dot dress, the same she wore for her Fox News interview in September to promote her memoir. However, as Medias Touch editor Ron Filipkowski shared a clip with Melania stating that she had “been wearing sunglasses inside all day today,” the conspiracy theories began spreading,
Some claimed she had been swapped with a body double for the cameras. “This is absolutely, categorically not Melania,” one X user wrote, as per Daily Mail. “This imposter’s been wearing sunglasses indoors all day.”
A second said: ‘How is a man who walks around with a fake wife even a contender for president?’ Another X user claimed: “The check didn’t clear in time for the real Melania to make an appearance, so they had to bring the doppelganger off the bench.”
As reported by the Daily Beast, another user stated that several details ‘proved’ it was a “fake Melania.”
“Rings missing, wrong nail style & length, no smile lines in the jawline [or] lower cheek, bust is half the size it should be,” one stated, while another said that the woman in the video looked “20 years younger” than Melania Trump.
What do you think about Donald Trump returning to the White House? Please share this article on Facebook and give us your opinion!
Leave a Reply