Esta TerBlanche, 1973 – 2024

South African actress Esta TerBlanche, 51, was found dead in her North Hollywood home on July 18. No cause of death has yet been ascertained. TerBlanche grew up on a farm, but they couldn’t keep her down on the farm after she was crowned Miss Teen South Africa in 1991. She got a featured role on the soap opera Egoli: Place of Gold (from 1992-95). Tiring of the soap, TerBlanche walked out on her contract and moved to L.A., where she got another soap featured role, as a troublesome princess on All My Children (from 1997-2001). She also appeared in Spin City, The Syndicate, and Three Thieves and a Wedding, also working as presenter on South Africa’s environmental TV program 50/50, and playing leading roles in such shows as The Glass Menagerie and Pygmalion. TerBlanche pretty much gave up show business (or vice-versa) by 2013.