1941

WENDIE JO SPERBER
Sept. 15, 1958 - Nov. 29, 2005

Film and television actress Wendie Jo Sperber, who starred opposite Tom Hanks on TV's "Bosom Buddies" and appeared in dozens of movies including the "Back to the Future" series, achieved her most enduring role through her real-life ... more battle with cancer. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, Sperber emerged as a highly visible advocate for cancer care, founding the weSPARK Cancer Support Center, offering free support, information and social activities for patients and their families. In the process she became "a walking inspiration," in Hanks' words. The Los Angeles native's careeer emphasized comedy, ranging from Steven Spielberg's "1941" and Robert Zemeckis' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" to numerous sitcoms including "Murphy Brown" and "Will & Grace."