Former child star, actress Amanda Peterson has died. Peterson was best known for her role in the film Can’t Buy Me Love, which co-starred Patrick Dempsey from Grey’s Anatomy fame. Peterson was 43.

According to her father, she had been suffering from some recent illnesses. She was found dead on July 5 after her family had grown concern that they had not heard from her. An official cause of death has not yet been determined.

Peterson began her career in the early 1980’s and appeared in countless TV roles, including Doogie Howser, M.D,. Silver Spoons, Boone, A Year in the Life and in the movie musical Annie and Explorers (with Ethan Hawke). She continued acting into the early 1990’s. According to her IMDB page, her last film role was in 1994, in the film Windrunner.

Peterson would have celebrated her 44th birthday on July 8. She is survived by her husband David Hartley and their daughter.

Story courtesy of US Magazine.

*As reported by CNN.com today, Peterson’s mother said her daughter died on July 3 due to medical problems with her heart; however, autopsy results are still pending at this time.