Amanda Peterson’s Family Says Actress’ Behavior Changed after Incident She Kept Secret

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Amanda Peterson’s mother, Sylvia, recalls how the behavior of the “Can’t Buy Me Love” star changed soon after she moved to Hollywood when she was just 15 and acknowledges that there were warning signs that the actress needed help.
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[@magnumss]

The beautiful Amanda Peterson gone entirely too soon. Rest in paradise Amanda you will never be forgotten

[@6incomefigure]

Her family seems so nice. What a terrible thing she had to go through. I hope she's resting in peace now

[@theamericantsdestroyingusa5656]

A friend of mine went to high school with her and said she was a wonderfully nice girl. So sad....

[@lushkitty734]

That's sweet. I only knew of her in "Can't Buy Me Love" and I've watched it tens of thousands of times since I saw it on opening weekend at my local cinema. *Side note: It was mainly becos of the adorableness of Patrick Dempsey. RIP Amanda.

[@prettyvacant3383]

I had no idea she passed away. I’m 44 years old grew up watching Annie and Can’t By Me Love. I recently watched the movies again and wondered what happened to Cindy Mancini. Very sad to learn she passed early in life.

[@mrs.z4370]

Did you ever see her in.... "A year in the life", 1986 mini series? She was amazing. My fav episode was the one where she was losing her virginity and U2 was playing in the background.

[@captainscentsible1811]

Sometimes death can be better then heroin addiction. Sad to say.but maybe she wanted to die. Could not see the light outside drug use. I lost 5 child hood friends in 1 year from drugs. It was a true eye opener.

[@lovinglifehealth]

@@mrs.z4370 Wow that scene left such an impression on me to this day. The sheer vulnerability and innocence lost must have transcended through her character.

[@Soxcus]

The abuser is still walking around unpunished!

[@woofbark4475]

Repentance and forgiveness is available... otherwise an eternal judgement in hell awaits. So don't worry nobody will get away with anything and justice will be done.

[@mskatonic1]

She was such a natural beauty. Always came across as the beautiful girl who was intelligent and a little tough. RIP beautiful. ❤

[@lysas781]

I wish they would expose who did this to her. Otherwise there’s no justice for all her suffering. Me too.

[@seafoodcharlie3710]

I have been digging online trying to guess who could've been the perpetrator. Only clue is "27 years old". I don't believe it was an executive because the likelihood of a Hollywood exec in the 80s being so young would be remote. Next would be the film crew from camera operators to carpenters to accountants and hairdressers. Anyone in this group could be 27 but then the theory she was being paid hush money to keep it a secret to protect someone loses some strength. Why pay hush money on a low level stage hand? Leaves us with one remaining group: the actors. The age test is met and so is possibly the motive. There were a lot of actors in this movie just starting out and it's possible that if one of them raped Amanda, then there's motive to keep her quiet. Of all the male actors (starring and supporting) in the movie, I was unable to find the age of one particular one. And he was a student in the film. Find the actor who is 27, find a suspect.

[@martinaguirre2263]

@@seafoodcharlie3710 Cort McCown?

[@lovelight6973]

Me too.

[@excstasymode]

@@seafoodcharlie3710 my researches say a man in his 40´s...after beeing raped, she got in to another movie, and series ."a year in the life",.. thats the people that are involved in that movie/serie: producers, executives that should be checked..because she wi an award for it.not that she didnt deserved it, but we all know what unfortunatly they had to be exposed to win... im pretty sure that someone has to know..

[@80sCrazyCatDadNGunAddiction]

She wasn't willing to open up about it, let alone devulge who did it. That secret went with her to her grave.

[@shayekisitu]

This poor thing. I always adored her in “Can’t Buy Me Love.” She was so beautiful. Yet again.....Hollywood’s movie making factory used up another talent, spit her out and destroyed her. I feel so sorry for her family. RIP my dear . 🕊🌹💙

[@Goremeister100]

Why do people have to state the obvious? We know she was beautiful ffs. We aren't blind. Would it matter less if she wasn't?

[@Scratchingforcash]

@@Goremeister100

[@johncap7201]

Not hollywood, not Amanda's drug dealer, not Amanda herself. The guy who rapped her caused this. I so relate to this. I had a similar situation happen to me. It was as horrifying as rape but my life was completely ruined and destroyed. I worked a job that was politically run. A Judge had my career destroyed. Which then caused me to lose everything. Then as a person spirals out of control everyone tells them its their fault. I am not saying if something bad happens to you it gives you a free pass to go out do drugs. But when you go that far and see the people responsible walk away scot-free with real happy life while you suffer and spiral out of control, it takes a lot to just turn around and come back. Many do not like poor Amanda. May she rest in peace.

[@YouCantHoldOnTooLong]

@@johncap7201 The guy who "rapped" her? You mean some guy who was into rap music during the filming of Can't Buy Me Love walked up to her and started rapping in front of her was responsible for her trauma and eventual death? Supposedly the assailant was 27 years old. Therefore, the closest renowned rapper I can think of would have been Ice-T. He was born February 16 1958, so if he was the one who "rapped" her, he would have been more like either 28 or 29 at the time. Maybe he rapped an early demo of the controversial song "Cop Killer" to her and it traumatized her from its disturbing nature. In that case, maybe Ice-T is the Hollywood rapper who is responsible. ~Dutch

[@bobnunyabiznz4917]

@@johncap7201 You are so full of yourself. You know NOTHING about rape & you can’t compare a Judge not liking you to the horrors of sexual assault. Just shut up.

[@jesslynne83]

i will always miss you Amanda Peterson, May you rest in peace!

[@liltomahawk6054]

Always gonna love that poor girl. RIP sweetheart

[@daveyamericanpridegodbless9842]

SHE DESERVED SO MUCH BETTER, SO MUCH MORE! MAY SHE REST PEACEFULLY IN GOD'S HEAVEN ALONG WITH ALL OUR RELATIVES ALL LOOKING AFTER ONE ANOTHER✌❤🇺🇸💪🙏

[@Pamelina1111]

This is almost 3rd degree murder. Abusing someone is a life sentence.

[@Faltor895]

Like when Scott Weiland was raped by a high schooler a few years older. I think that basically derailed his life. I hope he and Amanda were able to find Jesus before they died.

[@1986SSMONTECARLO]

As long as I live, She will always be Cindy Mancini, The pretty cheerleader from Tucson High

[@Goremeister100]

She wasn't Cindy Mancini. She was a real human being with flaws. She wasn't perfect.

[@honkytonk4465]

Nope

[@1986SSMONTECARLO]

@@Goremeister100 Ya THINK!!!

[@angeldelgado5206]

I had a friend who was a cheerleader look jus like her AND HER NAME WAS CINDY❣️two years before this movie came out ALWAYS WILL B CINDY M.❣️❣️😥

[@Scratchingforcash]

She was so darn beautiful and talented. Prayers to her family and children.

[@Iworkwithnitwits]

Amanda Peterson internalize d her pain of her rape instead of reaching out for help. The drugs were just the way she chose to escape from her pain. May she rest in peace.

[@polyverse1]

Unfortunately, she chose to suffer in silence. Typically when a person is sexually assaulted and they don’t speaks up it’s usually because it someone close to them that did it. Whoever betrayed her trust and stole her essence. I hope they rot in hell.

[@feebee7621]

I always loved her and wanted to look just like her when I was a teenager. Beautiful, talented, smart and gone way too soon.

[@dwade6322]

Ive dated people who were addicted to various things. Had addicts in my family,and perhaps was one for a period of time (depending on your definition) ..All i can say is no matter how someone falls into addiction,they deserve kindness..With out it they wont be able to recover. Such a pretty girl. RIP

[@kelleylmiller]

Great response!

[@travisrenaud2384]

HOLLYWOOD TAKES ANOTHER BEAUITFUL SOUL SO SICK SO SAD.

[@SuperWarriour]

Hollywood and drugs ...so many lives lost

[@thatmelanin5639]

Right 💔🕊

[@himaureen]

Rape, so many lives lost 😞

[@rhettsawyer1033]

I remember the first time I saw "Can't By Me Love" and I was in awe of how beautiful "Cindy Mancini" was and such an incredible smile. My heart was saddened when I heard of her passing. RIP Amanda.

[@robertleach3335]

Have to be honest, she was my dream date back in the 80's. It is so sad how life played out for her and I hope she has now found the peace she didn't in this world. We all fight these demons here and ultimately we all lose.

[@fredcurrier5912]

You weren't the only one. Can't Buy Me Love is still my favorite movie.

[@womanaftergodsownheartilov5829]

No, that’s not true! The Lord is fighting for me, some of us WIN! God NEVER loses a battle, EVER! In Jesus Holy Name, Amen!

[@Scratchingforcash]

I’m watching this movie right now and I can’t help but feel so bad that she passed. I just feel she could’ve been so much more!!

[@anniesmolkin7685]

It’s my favorite movie of all time how did you like it

[@kenpokarate4187]

@@anniesmolkin7685 LOVE IT!

[@danaernst922]

When you dont talk about an issue that happens to you any issue, you can develop mental health disorders like ptsd, bipolar, depression, and anxiety sometimes you self medicate, it's so sad, encourage anyone and everyone you know to at least talk to someone anyone it helps, r.i.p.

[@kung-fuhustle5755]

Damm, didn’t know about this until today after watching the African ant eater ritual and saw a comment, stating R.I.P. This a real shame. She was an awesome actress, and will be dearly missed

[@annetteslife]

I am glad Corey Feldman called out these Hollywood bastards who ruined many of these kids lives including his. Rest in peace Amanda

[@w5winston]

She was great on "Year In The Life". RIP

[@sevensolaris]

I loved that show.

[@TimothyOBrien1958]

I used to be friends with Seth Green. We talked about her. I couldn't believe when I heard she'd passed. Such a bright light. So sad.

[@flyfish2562]

She was so beautiful! It is so sad this happened to her.

[@Jackjohnjay]

They said bipolar but did she ever have trauma therapy? So many diagnoses are made for people who just have unresolved trauma. Thank goodness new and effective treatments are emerging.

[@Katwoman4318]

I loved Amanda in; “Can’t Buy Me Love”.

[@t-bo2734]

This is an awful way to present this story. Quick edits, soundbites, going from color to black and white, images of needles. None of the humanity of the person being discussed is showcased here. All style, zero substance.

[@ericproll1787]

tabloid editing like hard copy

[@peanutthepoodle]

I had to keep pausing just to look at the pics of her for more than 1/2 a second so just gave up and went to google.

[@josephringling769]

God rest her soul. This is yet another example of how addiction doesn't discriminate. Anyone can fall into that nightmare. Very sad story. Can't buy me love is a movie I can still watch today after seeing it a million times. I believe Hollywood at it's core is evil and the pressure it places on the actors and actresses is insane. There's always someone younger, more talented, has a bigger following etc. Drugs are an easy escape and unfortunately very easy to come by and then one day it's like boom you're out of control and feel helpless. Such a tragedy

[@kellyballard8399]

Poor baby girl! May God rest her tortured soul! I sure hope the person that did that to her gets exposed. It's just not fair what happened to this sweet girl! I hate seeing such wonderful amazing people get destroyed by predators!

[@BobCat623923]

I think it should be "persons" that did this to her...because I don't believe that it was just one time or one incident as her family presents here....very sad, tragic situation.

[@JustNodIfYouCanHearMe77]

She is still my favorite part of Annie. Clicking her heel on the staircase and then singing, "Rover. Why not think it over" still gives me chills. What a star

[@lovelight6973]

I forgot she was in Annie.

[@BreadLoeuf]

She had such a beautiful talent in Annie. Shame it went to waste.

[@Jeff-uq7iu]

She was in show biz from a young age and did quite a bit of work at Disney as a child people have stated she was abused like most child stars

[@richardwaddell6037]

God Bless her. Such a beautiful person. RIP Amanda!!!

[@SummerofKittyLove]

Her brother spoke the language of Truth and Light. Rip 😢

[@Faltor895]

Yes, I hope Amanda was saved despite the strongholds she had.

[@deachristiancatlady5435]

Shirley Temple Black spoke out FOR YEARS and no one paid attention!

[@rddss8311]

She was a very beautiful soul ,God is taking care of her!

[@tonymontana8164]

Maybe

[@Faltor895]

If she accepted Jesus as her Savior and repented of her sins. Otherwise she is in hell.

[@winnieford540]

I am so so sorry this happened to her she seemed to have such a great personality and I enjoyed her movies, very much praying for her soul, and praying for her family thanks for sharing this

[@MrPositive3D]

This is so crushing. Such a beauty and talent. I'm heartbroken over it. Can't buy me Love changed my life for the better and she's a big reason for that.

[@brandonwestgaard8819]

So sad. I was a 12 year old boy when I saw Can’t buy me love and I was sooooo in love with Amanda Peterson.

[@jasonmccullar2770]

😔😔😢 Didn’t know she passed and had been dealing with addiction.

[@davidlucero763]

I found out yeterday too. What a trip

[@jasonbertalotto2355]

Rip Amanda Peterson

[@SamIam-jm2vr]

Just watched “Can’t buy me love” a few weeks ago ❤️ Bless her heart

[@fomoco1454]

My God she was a beautiful young lady at 1:17 -1:19.

[@sunflowerheather7019]

Unaddressed trauma can kill you.

[@libby6049]

So, she was allowed to move to LA/Hollywood when she was a teenager???

[@TahtahmesDiary]

This is why our society needs to take rape and sexual abuse VERY SERIOUSLY! So many artists in the world that could have done great things if someone hadn't broken them. Humanity suffers, not just the victim.

[@lisaangelos3184]

So sad!! I love Can’t by me love. I had no idea she had passed away. Prayers to her family.

[@tamrynbauer8640]

she was so beautiful and seemed so sweet.

[@ericproll1787]

She was so beautiful and every line she delivered was on point, too bad we didnt see her full bloom on the screen more.

[@THEWOLFE-007]

She had a Gorgeous personality. And Hollyweird doesn't Respect that. I met her and she treated me like a red-blooded American man. I Thanked GOD for her courteousness to me. She was so self-less when we met. She just confirmed that I was the Man and I loved her for that. Amanda is Home from what I know from her Brother Jim....and I couldn't be Happier to t know this. She was a real Beauty, and she didn't owe me anything, but she insisted on being a beautiful respectful woman to me. I was Blown Away!!!!

She was a fine actress. RIP

[@lizzypooh3536]

Omg... I loved her as a teen! 😥😥😥

[@ra639]

I know this if off topic but her older sister is beautiful

[@SleeplessinOC]

Oh man ..,,her poor family . I knew Hollywood was evil but I don’t think I realized just how deep the evil was . RIP Amanda

[@66Bunn]

Hollywood doesn't have anything to do with it. Addiction is a disease that hits everywhere - not just in Hollywood

[@kerryalfaro9437]

THIS is a prime example of"DON'T BLAME THE DRUGS"!!! Her mental health WAS the contributing factor in HER tragic and untimely death

[@JOHNHENRYHOLLIDAY-rl5mi]

lies

[@whosaidthat4299]

I hate when familys say " let them bottom out" not cool.

[@Wareaglegirl9960]

If you have never been there then don’t judge! No matter what you do sometimes they don’t care, treat you like shit and you can’t force them into rehab or therapy because they’re grown. So why don’t you tell me what it is that you would do since you wanna judge

[@Mmch2112]

So sad to hear she passed. Rip girl.

[@TampaJohn]

To this day, she is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Such a natural beauty. What a shame. What a waste.

[@antkowiak666]

That's so sad. I actually was in Tucson this past weekend and went by the house they used for her in Can't Buy Me Love. Such a great movie and she was amazing in it.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

Such a doll.... natural beauty

[@Roosh72]

That is truly devastating 😭🙏🌹

[@jurzyjohner432]

God Bless her soul, i will always remember her as Cindy Mansini, hope i spelled it right.

[@dovecameron4403]

I am really sorry for Amanda, I loved her at Annie so much, I tought she was better than all the other girls. And later he was incredible. R.I.P.

[@jamesplaster2965]

She's in heaven let her rest. LET HER REST ... 💖

[@Broly187]

she was so goergues wow rest in heaven Lil princess

[@alfonsogutierrez1392]

Listen to me was another movie she was in...she was very inspiring

[@slowdiver5732]

Sadly that’s what happens to bright, beautiful, innocent angels who go to the evil hellhole that is Hollywood. It’s a town of vipers that prey on people like her. I hope this is becoming so clear to people now that no one goes to Hollywood anymore to try and “make it” and especially not send their precious babies. Rest In Peace and love beautiful Angel.

[@fashiondiva6972]

“Hollywood” didn’t make her an addict. Trauma did. Blame her rapist. You’re being ignorant and missing the entire point of the video. People become addicted EVERYWHERE. Drugs are literally available in every podunk town in America. She was raped long before she ever went to LA. Like every addict, there was a root cause issue that led to drug abuse. Being around “bad influences” doesn’t create addicts in and of itself. You need to open your eyes and educate yourself, especially if you have kids. Because keeping them in Mayberry, USA won’t prevent addiction.

[@roxannespindler8286]

This is so sad! ♥️

[@jondstewart]

I absolutely adored her when I saw Explorers and Can’t Buy Me Love. In Explorers, Ethan Hawke is a typical socially awkward 14 year old and I loved the dream sequence at the end when they’re flying over a huge circuit board, hold hands, and kiss.

[@topgun779]

I felt so sad when i found out she had passed. She was sunshine even at nighttime. That smile and beauty would just brighten you up

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

Her being bipolar makes sense as it’s very common for people who live with bipolar to struggle with drug addiction. I tried to have a relationship with a younger woman I deeply dearly love who lives with bipolar. I’m not bipolar but I’ve struggled with a lot of similar things to her but I think I pushed too hard trying to fix her and she found another guy to have a relationship with and she cut off her relationship with me in January 2017. I think about her almost every day.

[@womanaftergodsownheartilov5829]

😌 She did you a favor. Shine, Sweet Freedom! ✨

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

@@womanaftergodsownheartilov5829 How is that? She married another guy in late 2020.

[@Cowgirlfrom_Hell]

Wow if you listen to the song Fallen Angel by Poison it kinda describes her situation to a T. Crazy.

[@olafsskulltank]

Wonder if it was old Harvey Weinstien?!?!?

[@eddiestovall7668]

I enjoyed her in cant buy me love she was so talented that was one of my favorite movies rip amanda

[@lailaplaysdbd4004]

Aww. I remember her in Annie. Rip. 🙁

[@peanutthepoodle]

I remember when she died, they said she died of sleep apnea. None of the arrests or drug issues were ever made known. Me, my sister, and all my friends wanted to be her so bad and watched Can’t Buy Me Love a million times on VHS.

[@jrmclane1]

We will miss you

[@haroldhart2688]

I noticed that in an interview that her Eyes went back and up into her head which could be a Bad Memory or some brain problem.

[@alucardlledroc]

So very sad..... =[ RIP Amanda

[@laramatthews2082]

Can't believe I never realized she was the blond girl w/amazing pipes in my fave 'Annie'! What a tragic ending even tho a common story coming out of Hollyweird.

[@eyes2seeears2hear28]

Hollywood breeds this behavior. I’m so sorry she was a teen favorite. They will pay. There will be justice for your pain!

[@elleret]

Poor sweet girl.

[@chrisroach8385]

Had a huge crush on here forever ! Sad she went out like that .

[@jamesretreat]

happy birthday mandy :)

[@rollotomassi6374]

One of the prettiest women to ever be on screen……she was a sweetheart…..RIP young beauty.

[@Cindymancini75]

Still my all time favorite movie!

[@jessicarobinson3883]

Like all these girls in Hollywood.. you’re nit seeing troubled teens, but traumatized children

[@ZLeZx]

Loveliest voice on Annie sings in the dog part when they name his sandy she sings rover..why not think it over

[@arcangelfilms]

Many don´t remember her in "Listen to me" wiht Kirk Cameron, she was great on that one as Donna Lumis. What a shame, God Bless her soul...

[@WillNelson73]

I had such a crush in her after 'Can't Buy Me Love'

[@lovelight6973]

I loved the movie when I was a growing up. I definitely loved her character and thought she was so cool. It really is heartbreaking to hear she was suffering so much. I wish they expose the bastard that did that to her. She seemed like she came from a wonderful family and loving. Its just not fair.

[@sunamethyst283]

Poor baby so sad rip

[@freshsox7052]

Wow 😮

[@bvg83]

And some people still think drugs are cool 😕

[@glxssyaesthetic1104]

in my town!!

[@michaelsix9684]

no one teaches you how to deal with fame in entertainment world, it can overwhelm you quickly

[@CarlosZelaya-sl7gw]

I love actriz Amanda peterson

[@mitchellseiff6928]

What a wasted talent of such a beautiful woman like her!

[@TornNalone]

I love her movies