How did Jessica Campbell die? 'Freaks and Geeks' exec producer Judd Apatow donates $5K on GoFundMe for funeral
The ‘Election’ star Jessica Campbell’s family has revealed that the actress died “suddenly” and “unexpectedly” on December 29 in Portland. While the results of the autopsy are awaited, her cousin Sarah Wessling said Campbell had a pretty normal day at work seeing her patients, and later returned home to see her mother and aunt. The actress-turned naturopathic physician had her own practice.
Sarah told TMZ that Campbell went to the bathroom and never came out, and when her aunt went to check on her, she found her collapsed on the floor. Reportedly, neither the aunt nor the EMTs could revive her. Furthermore, the family revealed that she had complained of congestion and “felt like she was getting a cold”, but they didn’t think it could be Covid-19.
Her role in the ‘Election’ was heaped with praise and earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Debut Performance. She starred alongside Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick and Chris Klein in the movie directed by Alexander Payne.
Her accomplishments ‘never went to her head’
Remembering the actress for her impeccable performing skills, Payne told Rolling Stone, “Her instincts for the character were always spot on and her discipline was exemplary. If she was ever nervous, she never showed it. Her mother was with us, too, an ER doctor — and Jessica later became a doctor as well. Jessica went on to act a lot, too, but it never went to her head.”
He added, “She was very smart, very grounded, very funny and kind, and you could see those qualities in her mother as well. Really good people. I can’t tell you how sad this recent, out-of-the-blue news made me, as I’m sure it does all who knew her.”
Campbell’s other notable role was on the television series ‘Freaks and Geeks’ as Amy Andrews. Praising her work on the show’s executive producer Judd Apatow said, “Jessica’s work on Freaks and Geeks was so heartfelt, vulnerable, and really sweet and funny. We all knew we were collaborating with a very special person. Several of the key scenes were improvised with Seth Rogen, and they were magic together. She created a character with strength and grace.”
Funds raised for her funeral and 10-year-old son
Sarah has started a campaign on GoFundMe to raise funds for Campbell’s funeral expenses and to support the actress’ 10-year-old son, Oliver. Apatow has made a donation of $5,000 and the page had managed to raise over $29,000.
The message in the petition reads, “While coping with this unexpected and tragic turn of events and planning for Oliver’s future, the family is also faced with unexpected cremation, memorial, and probate expenses. All funds collected will go towards meeting expenses and providing for Oliver.”
Giving a glimpse of the kind of person Campbell was, it further reads, “A true adventurer in every sense of the word, Jessica packed a staggering amount of experiences into her tragically short lifetime”.