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Amanda Peterson

Amanda Peterson’s screen career began early and moved quickly across stage, television and film. Born in Greeley, Colorado, on July 8, 1971, she made her stage debut at seven as Gretl von Trapp in a University of Northern Colorado production of The Sound of Music. At 11, she appeared as a dancing extra in Annie, followed by guest spots on Father Murphy and Silver Spoons and work in more than 50 television commercials. Initially credited as Mandy Peterson—the name used by friends and family—she later adopted Amanda Peterson professionally. Her first sustained television role came as Squirt Sawyer on NBC’s Boone, which aired from 1983 to 1984. In 1985, she landed her first major film part as Lori Swenson in Joe Dante’s Explorers. The science-fiction fantasy performed modestly at the box office but later found a cult following. Peterson then played Sunny Sisk in the miniseries A Year in the Life and its subsequent NBC series. Her performance earned her a Young Artist Award, adding another dimension to a career already split between youthful adventure stories and family drama. The role most closely associated with Peterson arrived in Can’t Buy Me Love. Cast at 15 as Cindy Mancini, she helped turn the romantic comedy—originally titled Boy Rents Girl—into a sleeper hit in the summer of 1987. The New York Times called her portrayal appealing and highlighted her chemistry with co-star Patrick Dempsey. The film also brought Peterson teen-idol status, though her later choices did not simply repeat its formula. She moved into the post-apocalyptic adventure The Lawless Land, the ensemble drama Listen to Me and the thriller Fatal Charm. After returning to Greeley to graduate from University High School, she enrolled at Middlebury College, appeared in a stage production of Masterpieces and guest-starred on Doogie Howser, M.D. A recurring role on Jack’s Place followed in 1993. Her final screen appearance was a supporting part in the 1994 fantasy WindRunner, filmed when she was 22.