Jessica Campbell, best known for her roles in the 1999 film “Election” and the classic cult series “Freaks and Geeks”, died at age 38.
Campbell’s family announced that the actor died on December 29 in Portland, Oregon. Campbell stopped acting to become a naturopathic doctor and passed out after seeing patients in her office. It could not be revived and its cause of death has not yet been determined.
Campbell first appeared in the 1992 TV movie “In the Best Interest of Children,” starring Sarah Jessica Parker. His next major role in cinema was in the comedy satire “Election”, with Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon.
She played the anguished sister of the school athlete Paul (Chris Klein), whose girlfriend dumped her and left her for Paul. Wanting revenge, she runs against him for class president. The performance earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for best debut performance.
The actor also appeared on “Freaks and Geeks” as Amy Andrews, a tuba player in the McKinley High martial band. She briefly goes out with Ken (Seth Rogen) and then reveals to him that she was born intersex.
Campbell also starred in the drama “The Safety of Objects”, alongside Glenn Close and Dermot Mulroney, as well as “Junk” and “Dad’s Day” from 2002.
Cambell’s cousin Sarah Wessling set up a GoFundMe campaign to pay for the funeral costs and support Oliver, Campbell’s 10-year-old son. “A true adventurer in every sense of the word, Jessica has put together an impressive amount of experiences in her tragically short life,” wrote Wessling on the GoFundMe page.
“She could always be considered the instigator, or at least a voluntary accomplice in various forms of mischief and mischief. To know her is to have an exaggerated history involving her. To know her is to have known a true friendship. “
Witherspoon also expressed his condolences in a tweet: “So heartbroken to hear that. Working with Jessica on ‘Election’ was a great pleasure. I am sending all my love to Jessica’s family and loved ones. “
Campbell also leaves her husband Daniel, his mother and an aunt, among other relatives. A memorial service is being planned.