Beloved Former Child Star Dies Suddenly

The cast of Nickelodeon’s beloved ’90s sketch comedy show “All That” is mourning one of their own after the sudden death of former star Christy Knowings.

Knowings died this week in California at just 46 years old, her father, Charles Dunn, confirmed to ABC News on Friday.

The actress and comedian became a familiar face to a generation of Nickelodeon viewers after joining “All That” in 1997. She remained on the hit series for three seasons through 2000, sharing the screen with future stars including Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Amanda Bynes, Lori Beth Denberg, Josh Server and Nick Cannon.

News of her death quickly prompted emotional tributes from her former castmates.

Thompson, who later became one of the longest-running stars of “Saturday Night Live,” said the loss hit him especially hard.

“Man this one hit hard!!! Rest well Christy!!! Never could have imagined this day!!” Thompson wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of Knowings.

He remembered her as “a real one” and “one of the funniest people out here,” while sending his love to her grieving family.

“Gonna miss you buddy!!!” he added.

Mitchell also shared an emotional tribute, calling Knowings “truly one of a kind.”

Alongside clips highlighting some of her funniest “All That” moments, Mitchell remembered his former co-star as naturally hilarious, talented and completely fearless when it came to comedy.

“She had a gift for creating characters that were big, memorable, and completely her own,” he wrote.

Mitchell said he would always treasure the laughs and memories they shared as members of the “All That” family.

“Christy, thank you for sharing your incredible gift with all of us,” he continued. “Your talent, your characters, and the joy you brought to so many will never be forgotten.”

Knowings’ manager, Al Hill, also remembered her as a woman whose creativity extended far beyond acting.

“Christy was a multi talented lady,” Hill told ABC News. “Whether it was singing, acting, dancing, she was always creating. Always professional and dedicated to her work.”

Knowings previously spoke fondly about her Nickelodeon years, revealing in a 2019 interview with Bustle that one of her favorite memories involved creating the outrageous character Gloria Bankhead during Season 6.

Knowings described the character as an over-the-top version of Martha Stewart and said she became so immersed in the role that she stayed in character throughout the day.

“Everybody loved it!” she recalled.

Knowings also believed the diverse cast of “All That” played a major role in the show’s popularity and lasting cultural impact.

A Bronx native who described herself as Native American and Afro-Latina, Knowings said she and her castmates were able to bring their own backgrounds and cultural touches into the comedy.

“We would bring cultural nuances and it was celebrated,” she said.

For Knowings, the show represented something bigger than laughs.

“‘All That’ showcased the unity that we all wanted, needed and still need in a very humorous way,” she said.

Now, more than two decades after her time on the Nickelodeon staple, the stars who grew up performing alongside Knowings are remembering the woman whose larger-than-life characters helped define an unforgettable era of kids’ television.