Tanya Roberts alive: Rep who claimed actress died now says he was wrong

LOS ANGELES — Tanya Roberts, who captivated James Bond in “A View to a Kill” and later played Midge Pinciotti in the sitcom “That ’70s Show,” has been hospitalized after falling at her home. The actor had mistakenly been reported dead by her publicist early Monday.

Roberts’ publicist Mike Pingel later told The Associated Press Monday afternoon that Roberts, 65, was still alive (as of noon Chicago time) but was in a poor condition. He had said earlier Monday that Roberts collapsed in her home on Dec. 24 and was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was believed to have died on Sunday. Pingel said Robert’s partner, Lance O’Brien, told him that he held her and she “seemed for him to slip away.”

TMZ was first to report the actress was still alive.

O’Brien received the news about Roberts’ status by phone during an interview Monday afternoon on “Inside Edition.” An overwhelmed O’Brien identifies the call as coming from the hospital ICU.

The publicist said he is awaiting further updates on Roberts’ condition.

Multiple media outlets, including the AP, reported Roberts’ death. The AP removed its obituary and sent an advisory noting that the actor was still alive.

One of Roberts highest profile roles was playing geologist Stacey Sutton opposite Roger Moore in 1985′s “A View to a Kill.”

Roberts also appeared in such fantasy adventure films as “The Beastmaster” and “Hearts and Armour.” She replaced Shelly Hack in “Charlie’s Angels,” joining Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd as third Angel Julie. She also played comic book heroine Sheena — a female version of the Tarzan story — in a 1984 film.

A new generation of fans saw her on “That ’70s Show,” playing Midge, mother to Laura Prepon’s character Donna.

NOTE: The Sun-Times has removed its earlier story which reported Roberts had died.