Hollywood matchmaker Amber Kelleher-Andrews has handed away following a prolonged battle with ovarian most cancers. She was 56.
The connection dealer, who labored as a mannequin and actress earlier than changing into an expert matchmaker, was greatest identified for working with actress Eva Longoria, 50, on the short-lived NBC actuality collection “Ready for Love” in 2013.
She additionally appeared as an knowledgeable relationship advisor on exhibits like “Good Morning America, “Today” and “20/20.”
A few of Kelleher-Andrews’ most well-known purchasers embody former “Today” host Hoda Kotb, singer Paula Abdul, comic David Spade and former NFL vast receiver Terrell Owens.
Kelleher-Andrews handed away on April 13, per an announcement from her household. She will probably be laid to relaxation in Hanalei, Hawaii.
“Our family suffered a huge loss last week with the passing of my cousin Amber, who was born five days after me in 1969,” the movie star matchmaker’s cousin, Morgan Kelleher, informed DailyMail.com on Friday.
“She left behind three beautiful children, ages 19, 21 and 23 as well as her loving husband of 25 years, her mother Jill, her brother Flynn, who she helped raise, her aunts, cousins, and uncle, and the hundreds of friends that she made during her time with us,” the assertion continued.
“She was larger than life and had an infectious laugh as a little girl,” Kelleher-Andrews’ cousin added.
Morgan additionally revealed that his late cousin was identified with Stage 4 ovarian most cancers in 2017. However though the most cancers went into remission “within three months,” it later “returned even stronger than the first time.”
“The horrible thing about ovarian cancer is that it often returns even stronger than the first time,” he stated. “She fought for over four months this year, and never complained about the pain but found every opportunity to crack a joke, or make someone laugh.”
Kelleher-Andrews was the CEO of Kelleher Worldwide, which is among the largest matchmaking companies within the US. She joined the corporate, which was based by her mom, Jill Kelleher-Andrews, in 1997.
She additionally served on the board of Virgin Unite, the charity firm based by Virgin Group billionaire Richard Branson.
Branson, 74, paid tribute to Kelleher-Andrews upon the information of her heartbreaking passing.
“Amber was a treasure – radiating joy, love, and purpose wherever she went,” he wrote in a touching message posted to X on Wednesday. “I feel so lucky to have called her a friend. Her legacy lives on in the millions of lives she touched.”
The late matchmaker’s performing credit embody the Nineties movies “Bloodsport III,” “Mind Rage” and “Lying Eyes.” Kelleher-Andrews additionally appeared in small roles on exhibits like “Baywatch,” “Melrose Place” and “Nash Bridges.” She used the stage identify Amber Van Lent.
“Most importantly,” Kelleher-Andrews’s cousin concluded his touching tribute, “Amber would want to be remembered as a fun mom, that loved to swim, dance and sing while embracing every sunset, randomly calling friends and family to join on trips, or share a laugh.”
