Back in 1998, Fans of the Teen Sitcom, That ’70s Show were delighted to receive the news that the all-famous Bond Girl, Tanya Roberts, would be joining the show. Unfortunately, this was short-lived happiness, as Tanya decided to quit the show after a few seasons.
Born in New York City, Tanya had always dreamt of being in the Hollywood Industry. The name given to her at Birth was Victoria Leigh Blum. From an Irish-Jewish family, Tanya had the most striking of features, with light blue eyes and perfect features. Once she starred alongside Roger Moore in A View To A Kill, her career took off.
From advertisements and series to movies, This actress had been a part of it all. She was often used to fill up spaces left by other actors, for example, in the series Charlie’s Angels, where she replaced Shelley Hack. When asked how she felt about it, Tanya would simply admit that that’s how things were in Hollywood.
With a loving Husband she met when young, Tanya made a home in Hollywood Hills and lived there until the death of her husband. When she joined That ’70s Show, Roberts was in her late 40s.
Tanya Roberts: About The “Bond Girl”
Victoria Leigh Blum took a keen interest in celebrity life and had always wanted to be seen on the big screen. Although she started small, through advertisements, she grew her career and image at a steady pace. Brands like Ultra Brite and Clairol are an example of the brands she has advertised for.
The first-ever film she starred in was The Last Victim, which premiered in 1975. Once started, her roles began to grow, with subsequent performances in Fingers and Tourist Trap.
She met her first husband, Barry Roberts, soon after, and the duo grew closer. Barry was a psychologist who was interested in cinema as well. He started working as a screenwriter soon after meeting Victoria. She changed her name to Tanya Roberts after she married Barry. The couple stayed at Hollywood Hills.
Tanya was then cast to play Julie Rogers in the show Charlie’s Angels. Although the show had been quite popular in its golden days, these times were long gone, and it had a declining rating when Tanya started working on it. One of the reasons behind her casting is also the fact that the producers hoped she would attract more viewers. Sadly did not happen, and Charlie’s Angels continued to have a tough time.
A year later, the show ended, leaving Tanya room to focus on something else. This is the time when she became a part of the movies The Beastmaster, Hearts and Armour, and Sheena: Queen Of The Jungle. All of these movies were huge hits, with Beastmaster even gaining a strong Cult following.
In 1985, Tanya was cast as the main lead in the 14th James Bond movie, A View To A Kill. This is where her fan base grew much larger, and people started appreciating her efforts. She then became a part of the movies Night Eyes, Body Slam, and many others.
She joined the Teen sitcom in 1998, as a mother to one of the main characters, Donna Pinciotti. Playing the role of Midge Pinciotti, Tanya was a part of this series from 1998 to 2004.
Also Read: That 70s Show Spinoff – That 90s Show Is Confirmed By Netflix With Cast From The Original Sitcom
Why Did Tanya Roberts Leave That ’70s Show?
The character she played on the show could be defined as a Ditzy mom who was also the best-looking in town. The Boys of the show would often admire her and wish to grow up and be with someone like her. Her character grew from just for looks to actual personality development.
Tanya had received much appreciation for her work in this series, but fans were left confused when she decided to step down from the role. The reason for this was that the only person she loved, her husband Barry, had been diagnosed with a Terminal Illness. His condition was deteriorating, and that’s when Tanya left Television to take care of her husband.
She retired from acting (2005) and continued to be by his side until he passed away a year later. Tanya was featured on That ’70s Show once in a while and came back for a few significant scenes.
Tanya Roberts: Where Is The Actor Now?
After she developed a UTI, Tanya was put on bed rest. She had a history of Hepatitis, and the infection led to her having multiple organ failures in 2020. Roberts stayed on life support until 2021.
Her partner at that time, Lance O’Brien, stayed with her until she passed away on January 4th, 2021. They had more of an amicable relationship than a romantic one, and despite this, she left most of her things for him in her will. Tanya Roberts left behind a lasting impression on those who witnessed her beauty and acting in any movie or television series she starred in.
Also, Read “Why Did Topher Grace Leave That 70s Show? Reason Behind Eric Forman’s Recasting Plan“
