Actress Annie Wersching, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, who starred in the television series “24,” died on Sunday morning after a private battle with cancer. She was 45 years old.
Wersching’s publicist confirmed the news to Deadline on Sunday; her husband, actor and comedian Stephen Full (“Cold Case”), released a statement that was published by the entertainment site.
“There is a cavernous hole in the soul of this family today. But she left us the tools to fill it,” he wrote. “She found wonder in the simplest moment. She didn’t require music to dance. She taught us not to wait for adventure to find you. ‘Go find it. It’s everywhere.’ And find it we shall.”
“As I drove our boys, the true loves of her life, down the winding driveway and street, she would yell BYE! until we were out of earshot and into the world. I can still hear it ringing. Bye my Buddie. ‘I love you little family,'” he concluded.
The actress, who was first diagnosed in 2020, leaves behind three young boys: Freddie, Ozzie, and Archie. Her publicist did not confirm what type of cancer she had.
Wersching’s first onscreen appearance was on an episode of “Star Trek: Enterprise,” but she truly got her start on “General Hospital.” She went on to play roles in “24,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Timeless,” “Runaways,” “The Rookie,” and “Bosch” — and her final role took her back to the USS Enterprise in “Star Trek: Picard.”
Soon after the news of her death was reported, Wersching’s colleagues and friends flooded social media with tributes and anecdotes about the actress.
Her “24” co-star Kiefer Sutherland was among those sharing their thoughts about her passing: “The world lost a light today @Wersching was one of the greatest actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and my friend. My heart breaks for her young family. May she be remembered for the beautiful person that she was.”
The world lost a light today @Wersching was one of the greatest actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and my friend. My heart breaks for her young family. May she be remembered for the beautiful person that she was.
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) January 30, 2023
Actor Anthony Rapp recalled a friendly rivalry with Wersching over the Chicago Cubs (his team) and the St. Louis Cardinals (hers) in his tribute.
“I only had the pleasure of meeting @Wersching a couple of times, but she was a delight, & I’ll always affectionately remember our spirited Cubs/Cardinals fandom rivalry. I’m saddened to hear of her passing, & I send my best to her family. RIP Annie,” he tweeted, sharing a photo of the two of them together.
I only had the pleasure of meeting @Wersching a couple of times, but she was a delight, & I’ll always affectionately remember our spirited Cubs/Cardinals fandom rivalry. I’m saddened to hear of her passing, & I send my best to her family. RIP Annie. https://t.co/lTwMKHOO6X
— Anthony Rapp on Mastodon @[email protected] (@albinokid) January 30, 2023
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Annie Wersching. She was a wonderful and talented person I was lucky enough to know. Please consider contributing to the Gofundme page set up in her name,” actor Paul Wesley said of Wersching, who played his mother Lily Salvatore on “The Vampire Diaries.”