Annie Wersching, 24 Actor and Tess in The Last of Us Video Game, Dies at 45

Publish date: 0001-01-01

Annie Wersching, an actor best known for her roles in “24” and “Bosch” and for originating the role of Tess in the 2013 video game “The Last of Us,” has died following a two-year battle with cancer. She was 45.

Wersching’s death was confirmed through a GoFundMe campaign, shared to draw financial support for the actor’s family. The campaign has been shared by Alexi Hawley, showrunner of “The Rookie,” Julie Plec, the showrunner of “The Vampire Diaries,” as well as “The Last of Us” creative director Neil Druckmann.

Plec tweeted, “I became a fan from ‘24’ and was lucky to be able to have Annie play mama to two of the hottest vamps in town… RIP Annie, you wonderful soul.”

Related Stories

Photo collage that includes stills from the movie "Joker: Folie à Deux" as well as the TV show "The Penguin" VIP+

Despite ‘Joker’ Folly and ‘The Penguin’ Success, DC Studios Still Untested

Janet Jackson, Kamala Harris

Janet Jackson Believes U.S. Election Will End in 'Mayhem,' Falsely Claims Kamala Harris Is 'Not Black': 'I Was Told They Discovered Her Father Was White'

“We just lost a beautiful artist and human being. My heart is shattered,” Druckmann wrote.

Popular on Variety

Just found out my dear friend, Annie Wersching, passed away. We just lost a beautiful artist and human being. My heart is shattered. Thoughts are with her loved ones.

There’s a go fund me set up for her family: https://t.co/dhvk6uOvZV

— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) January 29, 2023

Born in St. Louis, Mo., Wersching’s first screen credit came at 24 years old, appearing in a 2002 episode of “Star Trek: Enterprise.” Wersching would go on to appear in a variety of series — including “Frasier,” “Supernatural” and “Charmed” — before landing recurring roles as Amelia Joffe in “General Hospital” and Renee Walker in “24.” Wersching would later join “Timeless,” “The Vampire Diaries” and “Extant” as recurring characters. Wersching also appear in “Runaways” and “The Rookie.”

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2020, Wersching continued acting throughout the following two years.

Wersching’s GoFundMe notes how much the actor adored her family. “Annie lived for her family. She loved her work and cherished her friends, but Steve and the boys were her absolute everything. It’s so Steve can have time to grieve without the pressure of needing to work. So he can be daddy to Freddie (12), Ozzie (9) and Archie (4) as they navigate the future without their mom, without sweet Annie.”

Wersching is survived by her husband, Stephen, and three sons, Eddie, Ozzie and Archie, aged 12, 9 and 4.

Read More About:

Jump to Comments

More from Variety

Most Popular

Must Read

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Variety Confidential

A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast

ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXN%2Fjq2taKeSnsG2rdGinKxloJq8sbjEZqWer6Nkrq%2B6yJ5ksJ2iqLCptc2gZJ2dkZl6tbTEZqOaq6RivKd51Kxka2xdZn90gZRpbHFqZWQ%3D