Wendy Joe Sperber, best known as the bubbly sister Linda McFly in *Back to the Future*, died at her Los Angeles home on November 29th, 2005 at the age of 47 after a long battle with breast cancer that had metastasized by 2002. Before her death, she channeled her fight into helping others, founding a cancer support center that continues to operate today. . Sperber was born on September uth, 1958 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and grew up in a Jewish family with parents Burton and Charlene and three siblings.
She caught the acting bug early and pursued performing arts straight out of high school, training at the Teenage Drama Workshop at California State University, Northridgebefore breaking into film the age of 19. . Her film debut camein 1978’s *Corvette Summer* alongside Mark Hamill,. That same year, she starred as an over-the-top Beatles fanatic in *I Want to Hold Your Hand*, earning critical praise for her manic, high-energy performance..
She also appeared uncredited as a dancer in *Grease* and as Maxine in Steven Spielberg’s *1941* in 1979.. Her biggest television breakthrough came in 1980, when she landed the role of Amy Cassidy, the quirky co-worker who discovered their cross-dressing secret on the sitcom *Bosom Buddies*. The show, which ran until 1982, paired her with rising stars Tom Hanks and Peter Scalari,and became a cult favorite.. She followed that with a stint on *Private Benjamin* from 1982 to 1983,reprising her chemistry with Hanks in the 1984 film *Bachelor Party*.
In 1985, she appeared in *Moving Violations* and landed what may be her most memorable role: Linda McFly, Marty McFly’s sister,in the blockbuster *Back to the Future*. She later reprised the role in *Back to the Future Part III* in 1990. Her other film credits included *Stewardess School* in 1986, *The Image* in 1990, *Desperate But Not Serious* in 1999,and *Sorority Boys* in 2002.. Her television career continued with a lead role as Charlene Gilbert on the sitcom *Babes* from 1990 toactors-to 1991,and a key part as Mavis on *Hearts Afire* from 1992 to-1993.
She also guest-starred on *Will & Grace*, *Home Improvement*,and, posthumously, on *American Dad! * in 2006. Offscreen, Sperber married producer Richard Velasquez in 1983. The couple had two children, son Preston in 1986 and daughter Pearlin 1990.
Before divorcing in 1994, she remained devoted to her children while maintaining her busy Hollywood career.. In 1997,at age 39,Sperber was diagnosed with breast cancer.. She initially went into remission,but the cancer returned and metastasized by 2002. Despite undergoing experimental treatments including brain radiation in 2004,she continued working and turned her experience into advocacy..
She founded the Wespark Cancer Support Center in Sherman Oaks,California,a facility offering free emotional support, information,and activities for cancer patients and their families.. She served on its board and wrote its newsletter, emphasizing peer support and, as she said in a 2004 interview, helping others feel less alone.. She is buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery. Her legacy continues through Wespark,which still serves thousands,and through the joy she brought to screens over a 25-year career.
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