Can't Buy Me Love actress Amanda Peterson dead at 43

Amanda Peterson (centre) in a scene from the film Can't Buy Me Love.

Amanda Peterson has died at the age of 43.

The actress - who is best known for her role as Cindy Mancini in the 1987 comedy film Can't Buy Me Love opposite Patrick Dempsey - passed away at her home in Colorado.

Amanda's father told TMZ her family became worried when they didn't hear from her for two days and her body was discovered.

While the cause of death has not been released, her father told the website: "She had some illness and a sleep apnea problem that may have contributed."

He added that she had other illnesses "including pneumonia and sinusitis [a common condition in which the lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed]".

Romantic comedy Can't Buy Me Love tells the story of nerdy high-school student Ronald Miller, who pays a cheerleader (Amanda) to pretend to be his girlfriend for a month.
The film was directed by Steve Rash and named after the Beatles song.

Amanda's last movie was the 1994 fantasy/family film Windrunner and Amanda quit acting the same year before moving to Colorado.

- Bang! Showbiz