Freaks and Geeks Jessica Campbell-min
[Photo via MTV Films]

'Freaks and Geeks' and 'Election' star Jessica Campbell dies at 38

Former actress Jessica Campbell, who was best known for her roles in Freaks and Geeks and 1999’s Election, has died at the age of 38.

Her family confirmed Campbell died on Dec. 29 in Portland, Oregon.

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According to Variety, Campbell retired from acting to become a naturopathic physician. On Dec. 29, she collapsed after seeing patients at her practice and was unable to be revived. At this time, her cause of death is still unknown.

Campbell forged a career in acting in the 1990s. She first appeared alongside Sarah Jessica Parker in the 1992 TV movie In The Best Interest Of The Children. However, Campbell got her big break in 1999 when she starred in the satire film Election with Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick.

In the film, she played Tammy Metzler, the sister of school jock Paul whose girlfriend leaves her to start seeing Paul. To get revenge, Campbell’s character runs against him for class president. Her performance in the 1999 movie went on to earn her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for best debut performance.

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Campbell also starred alongside Seth Rogan and James Franco in Freaks and Geeks. She portrayed Amy Andrews, a tuba player in McKinley High’s marching band. Eventually, her character briefly dates Ken, played by Seth Rogan.

Following Freaks and Geeks, Campbell went on to star opposite Glenn Close in The Safety Of Objects. Campbell’s cousin Sarah Wessling has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for funeral costs and provide for Campbell’s son Oliver who is 10-years-old.

“A true adventurer in every sense of the word, Jessica packed a staggering amount of experiences into her tragically short lifetime,” Wessling says on the GoFundMe page. “She could always be counted on as the instigator of, or at the very least a willing accomplice to, various forms of mischief and hijinks. To know her is to have an over-the-top story involving her. To know her is to have known true friendship.”

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Former colleagues, friends and fans have taken to social media to pay tribute to Campbell. Campbell’s Election co-star Reese Witherspoon penned an emotional tweet honoring her.

“So heart broken to hear this. Working with Jessica on Election was such a pleasure. I’m sending all my love to Jessica‘s family and loved ones.”

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Our thoughts go out to Jessica Campbell’s family during this time.