Actress Annie Wersching, best known for spots on TV shows such as Timeless and 24, has died following a nearly three-year battle with cancer.
Taking to social media Saturday, the star’s friends and family confirmed Ms Wersching’s death, which came after a cancer diagnosis received in the summer of 2020.
A consummate professional, Ms Wersching continued to shoot for roles in the popular series Star Trek: Picard and The Rookie despite the crushing prognosis.
Tributes have since flooded in for the actress, who was just 45.
Actress Annie Wersching has died following a three-year battle cancer. She was 45
Ms Wersching was best known for her roles on several TV shows such as The Rookie (pictured), which she continued to film even after her 2020 cancer diagnosis
Ms Wersching’s husband, Stephen Full, confirmed the star’s death on Sunday in a statement to social media, in which he revealed the star had lost her bout with the debilitating disease.
‘There is a cavernous hole in the soul of this family today,’ wrote Full, who is also an actor and had three sons with the actress.
‘But she left us the tools to fill it,’ he added. ‘She found wonder in the simplest moment.’
The widower went on to tout his wife’s legacy, as well as her uplifting personality.
‘She didn’t require music to dance,’ Full, 53, wrote. ‘She taught us not to wait for adventure to find you. Go find it. It’s everywhere. And find it we shall.’
Ms Wersching seen opposite 24 co-star Kiefer Sutherland during her time on the Fox drama series
As Emma on the hit NBC series Timeless, one of her most recognizable roles
Jon Cassar, who served as Ms Wersching’s director during her time on the hit Fox drama series 24, also took to Twitter to remember her, and said she had already ‘left her mark.’
‘My heart is broken in more pieces than I can count,’ wrote 64-year-old Cassar, who worked as both a director and producer on the show’s first seven seasons.
‘Annie came into my world with an open heart and a contagious smile,’ he continued. ‘Brandishing such talent, she took my breath away.
‘Annie became more than a workmate, she became a real friend to me, my family and every cast and crew member that worked with her.
Ms Wersching in Bosch, where she held a role as a recurring character Julia Brasher since 2013
‘She’ll be truly missed by them and the fans she always found time to interact with. Annie you’ll be missed, you left your mark, and we’re all the better for it.’
Beginning her acting career more than two decades ago at the age of 24, Ms Wersching quickly made a name for herself with appearances in small but standout roles in shows such as General Hospital and Supernatural.
Eventually in 2009, the actress got her big break playing Renee Walker in Cassar’s long-running series 24, propelling her to TV stardom.
She would go on to star in several other prominent programmes – including CSI, Blue Bloods, and 2013’s Dallas remake – with guest spots, before taking on more long-term roles in shows such as Castle and The Vampire Diaries.
Then, in 2013, Ms Wersching would be cast in yet another iconic role that saw her gain cult status – lending her voice to the character Tess in the hit video game The Last of Us. The game has since been adapted into a TV show starring Pedro Pascal.
In 2013, Ms Wersching gained cult status after lending her voice to the character Tess (center) in the video game The Last of Us. It has since been adapted into a show starring Pedro Pascal
Prior to her husband’s post, Ms Wersching’s death was confirmed through a fundraiser posted by Full and other family members asking for financial support in the wake of the actress’s death.
The GoFundMe campaign has since been shared by Alexi Hawley, showrunner of The Rookie, as well as The Last of Us creative director Neil Druckmann.
‘We just lost a beautiful artist and human being,’ Druckmann wrote in his tribute post. ‘My heart is shattered.’
After offering her voice to Druckmann’s crowning work – which has been likened to many films due to its impressive cut-scenes and convincing voice acting – Ms Wersching took on more roles, appearing in The Vampire Diaries, Runaways, Bosch, and, of course, Timeless.
Most recently, she assumed important roles in Paramount Plus’s Star Trek spinoff Picard
Most recently, she took on important roles in Paramount Plus’s Star Trek spinoff Picard, and the LA cop drama The Rookie.
She leaves behind her husband and children Freddie, 12; Ozzie, 9; and Archie, 4.
