‘That ’70s Show’ Fans Are Calling Tanya Roberts’ Misreported Death ‘Such a Midge Thing’
Tanya Roberts, former Bond Girl and That ’70s Show alum, died Jan. 4, 2021, at the age of 65-years-old. After her death had been previously misreported and later confirmed, some fans related the situation to her iconic role as Midge Pinciotti on That ’70s Show.
Tanya Roberts’ publicist reported her dead, then not dead, then dead again
On Sunday, Jan.3, news of Roberts’ death spread rapidly amongst fans. Little was known about Roberts being sick. At the time, the public was only aware that she had fainted on Dec. 24 and was being hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
“They told me all of her bodily functions, her organs, are disintegrated and she could never come back to being the same — she’d be bedridden for the rest of her life,” Roberts’ domestic partner Lance O’Brien told Page Six.
Roberts’ publicist Mike Pingel shared news of her death with the world. But the following day, Pingel announced that she was still alive. Pingel revealed in a statement how he was misinformed by O’Brien that Roberts had died.
After a media whirlwind, news of Roberts’ official death was announced Monday night.
Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher celebrated Tanya Roberts not being dead
Early Monday, when Roberts was still technically alive, her younger co-stars from That ’70s Show, including lead Topher Grace and Danny Masterson, mourned her loss on social media.
“I was so sad to hear that Tanya Roberts has passed away,” Grace tweeted. “She was a Bond girl, one of Charlie’s Angels, and truly a delightful person to work with. I had never acted before and, to be honest, a little nervous around her. But she couldn’t have been kinder. We’ll miss you Midge.”
Funny guy Ashton Kutcher broke the news to Grace that Roberts was still alive at the time.
“Yo bro she’s not dead,” Kutcher replied. The two celebrated the good news with a few That ’70s Show GIFs. Unfortunately, their celebrations didn’t last long. A few hours later, the official word of Roberts’ death came out.
Don Stark, Debra Jo Rupp, and Kurtwood Smith mourn Tanya Roberts
After the news became official, Roberts’ That ’70s Show husband Don Stark tweeted:
I’m so sad to hear of Tanya’s passing away. She was a sweet and very funny person. I loved working with her on That 70’s Show. She will be missed. I send my thoughts and prayers to Tanya, her family and friends and all of her fans. RIP
Roberts’ other co-stars Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp also shared their memories of working with her.
“So sorry to hear of #TanyaRoberts passing,” Smith said in a tweet. “She was a real character on #That70sShow set. I did a #USO tour with her and she made me laugh for two weeks straight, on the elevator, in the SUV, in the helicopter, on stage. The soldiers loved her. We all loved her.”
Fans think Tanya Roberts’ death is an accurate tribute to her role as Midge Pinciotti
On That ’70s Show, Roberts played the loveably dim-witted mother of Donna (Laura Prepon). Despite her lack of intelligence, many fans enjoyed Midge’s “down with the patriarchy” attitude and her willingness to be her authentic self. After the frenzy surrounding Roberts’ death, fans made a connection back to one of Roberts’ most hilarious roles.
“This whole rollercoaster was such a Midge thing to happen,” a fan said on Reddit. “Rest in Peace, Tanya.”
“This poor woman died twice this year and we aren’t even a week into 2021,” another fan commented. “We’ll miss you, Tanya.”
That ’70s Show fans will miss Roberts dearly.
