Amanda Peterson
Updated: 12/20/2025, 2:21:05 PM Wikipedia source
Phyllis Amanda Peterson (July 8, 1971 – July 3, 2015) was an American actress, most known for her roles as Cindy Mancini in the 1987 film Can't Buy Me Love and Sunny Sisk on the NBC drama series A Year in the Life (1987–1988). Peterson died at age 43 from an accidental drug overdose when she mixed a post-surgery drug prescribed to her with illegally obtained morphine.
Infobox
Born
Phyllis Amanda Peterson(1971-07-08)July 8, 1971Greeley, Colorado, U.S.
Died
July 3, 2015(2015-07-03) (aged 43)Greeley, Colorado, U.S.
Other names
Mandy Peterson
Alma mater
Middlebury CollegeUniversity of Northern ColoradoColorado State University
Occupation
Actress
Years active
1979–1994
Known for
Can't Buy Me Love
Spouses
mw- Joseph Robert Skutvik David Hartley
Children
2
Tables
· Filmography › Film
1994
WindRunner
Role(s)
Julie Moore
Notes
a.k.a. WindRunner: A Spirited Journey
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Annie | Dancer | Credited as Mandy Peterson |
| 1985 | Explorers | Lori Swenson | |
| 1987 | Can't Buy Me Love | Cindy Mancini | |
| 1988 | The Lawless Land | Diana | |
| 1989 | Listen to Me | Donna Lumis | |
| 1990 | Fatal Charm | Valerie | |
| 1994 | WindRunner | Julie Moore | WindRunner: A Spirited Journey |
· Filmography › Television
1982
1983–1984
Role(s)
Boone
Notes
Squirt Sawyer
1984
Best Kept Secrets
Role(s)
Gretchen
Notes
Television film
1985
And the Children Shall Lead
Role(s)
Jenny
Notes
Television film
1986
Carly Mills
Role(s)
Trisha Mills
Notes
Television film
1987–1988
Role(s)
A Year in the Life
Notes
Sunny Sisk
1989
Love and Betrayal
Role(s)
Stephanie
Notes
Television filma.k.a. Throw Away Wives
1991
Posing: Inspired by Three Real Stories
Role(s)
Abigail Baywood
Notes
Television filma.k.a. I Posed for Playboy
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Father Murphy | Elizabeth | Episode: "Matthew and Elizabeth" |
| 1982 | Silver Spoons | Sally Frumbel | Episode: "Takin' a Chance on Love" |
| 1983–1984 | Boone | Squirt Sawyer | Main cast |
| 1984 | Best Kept Secrets | Gretchen | Television film |
| 1985 | And the Children Shall Lead | Jenny | Television film |
| 1986 | A Year in the Life | Sunny Sisk | Miniseries, main cast |
| 1986 | Carly Mills | Trisha Mills | Television film |
| 1987–1988 | A Year in the Life | Sunny Sisk | Main cast |
| 1989 | Love and Betrayal | Stephanie | Television filma.k.a. Throw Away Wives |
| 1990 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Bernadette Callen | Episode: "Vinnie's Blind Date" |
| 1991 | Hell Hath No Fury | Michelle Ferguson | Television film |
| 1991 | Posing: Inspired by Three Real Stories | Abigail Baywood | Television filma.k.a. I Posed for Playboy |
| 1993 | Jack's Place | Elodie Rayburn | 4 episodes |
Awards · Awards and nominations
1985
Best Young Supporting Actress in a Daytime or Nighttime Drama
Role(s)
Nominated
1986
Best Starring Performance by a Young Actress – Motion Picture
Role(s)
Explorers
Notes
Nominated
1987
Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series
Role(s)
A Year in the Life
Notes
Won
1988
Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy
Role(s)
Can't Buy Me Love
Notes
Nominated
| Year | Award | Category | Title of work | Result |
| 1984 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Actress in a New Television Series | Boone | Nominated |
| 1985 | Best Young Supporting Actress in a Daytime or Nighttime Drama | Nominated | ||
| 1986 | Best Starring Performance by a Young Actress – Motion Picture | Explorers | Nominated | |
| 1987 | Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series | A Year in the Life | Won | |
| 1988 | Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy | Can't Buy Me Love | Nominated |
References
- people.comhttp://www.people.com/article/amanda-peterson-died-drug-overdose-cant-buy-me-love
- "Greeley-born actress Amanda Peterson found dead in her apartment"http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/17146101-113/greeley-born-actress-amanda-peterson-found-dead-in-her
- "Amanda Peterson: The life and times of a Colorado teen star"http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_28470803/amanda-peterson-life-and-times-colorado-teen-star
- "Phyllis Amanda Peterson"https://web.archive.org/web/20150714182757/http://www.allnutt.com/obituaries/Phyllis-Peterson-2/#!/Obituary
- "Friends of Amanda Peterson remember her down-to-earth demeanor and kindness"http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/17156721-113/friends-of-amanda-peterson-remember-her-down-to-earth-demeanor
- The Pittsburgh Presshttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HN4cAAAAIBAJ&pg=6753,2230179
- Toledo Bladehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MkxPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5334,4131211
- Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010
- Nathan Rabin's Happy Placehttps://www.nathanrabin.com/happy-place/2023/1/30/the-1985-cult-classic-explorers-is-joe-dantes-pleasingly-prankish-take-on-et#google_vignette
- (Three or more parts.) TV Guide magazine, June 27–July 3, 1987, issue #1787. All figures are based on the Nielsen rating
- The Montreal Gazettehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19861217&id=ilkiAAAAIBAJ&pg=1215,3518058
- The Story of the Viewers for Quality Television: From Grassroots to Prime Time
- The Numbershttps://m.the-numbers.com/movie/Cant-Buy-Me-Love#tab=summary
- HelloGiggleshttps://hellogiggles.com/patrick-dempsey-amanda-peterson/
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/14/movies/film-can-t-buy-me-love.html#:~:text=Though%20eventually%20they're%20saddled,the%20way%20real%20people%20talk.
- The Bryan Timeshttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19890516&id=SXpPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6715,4638490
- Lakeland Ledgerhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19890417&id=JbpNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1147,1729865
- Star-Newshttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19900222&id=EpVQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7092,2596262
- "Amanda Peterson's Family Bids Farewell to Tragic Can't Buy Me Love Star with Emotional Tribute Video"http://www.people.com/article/amanda-peterson-dead-memorial-video-cant-buy-me-love
- "Inside Amanda Peterson's Final Photo Shoot: 'She Had the Greatest Smile,' Photographer Tells People"http://www.people.com/article/amanda-peterson-final-photoshoot-photographer-interview
- "Amanda Peterson, 'Can't Buy Me Love' Star, Dies at 43"https://variety.com/2015/film/news/amanda-peterson-cant-buy-me-love-dies-dead-1201534704/
- CBS Newshttp://www.cbsnews.com/news/patrick-dempsey-remembers-cant-buy-me-love-co-star-amanda-peterson/
- "Greeley actress Amanda Peterson had a criminal record, may have struggled with substance abuse"http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/17173777-113/greeley-actress-amanda-peterson-had-a-criminal-record
- people.comhttp://www.people.com/article/amanda-peterson-arrested-dui-narcotics
- "Amanda Peterson, star of Can't Buy Me Love, dies aged 43"https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/07/amanda-peterson-star-of-cant-buy-me-love-dies-aged-43
- TheWraphttps://www.thewrap.com/amanda-peterson-mourned-in-hollywood-sarah-michelle-gellar-scott-foley-lance-bass-react-to-actress-death/
- "'Can't Buy Me Love' star Amanda Peterson dies at 43"https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/05/07/amanda-peterson-obit/29802803/
- "Amanda Peterson's Mom Remembers Their Last Day Together: She Was in 'Very Good Spirits'"http://www.etonline.com/news/167472_amanda_peterson_mom_remembers_their_last_day_together_she_was_very_good_spirits/
- "Weld coroner: Amanda Peterson died from accidental morphine overdose"http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/17885531-113/weld-coroner-amanda-peterson-died-from-accidental-morphine
- Us Weeklyhttp://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/amanda-petersons-family-reveal-horrific-rape-secret-after-tragic-deat-2015159
- ABC Newshttps://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/amanda-petersons-family-raped-15/story?id=33777717