The tragic, early death of actress Annie Wersching (45)

The death of a young person is always painful. But in the case of Annie Wersching, it is particularly cruel that, right when the new series 'The Last Of Us' (HBO) is having great success, one of the actresses intimately connected to it will not be able to enjoy it.

Annie Wersching, who gave voice and gestures to Tess in the famous video game 'The Last of Us,' died at the age of 45.

Although Anna Torv has landed the role of Tess in the television version, Annie Wersching was highly acclaimed for everything she brought to the character of one of the best video games in history.

The actress died from cancer that had been diagnosed in 2020. For two years, she had treatments to try and stay alive.

Stephen Full (photo), Annie Wersching's husband and also an actor, confirmed his wife's death through a painful statement to the media.

"There is a cavernous hole in the soul of this family today. But she left us the tools to fill it," the statement begins.

According to Stephen Full, Annie Wersching was capable of "[finding] wonder in the simplest moment. She didn’t require music to dance. She taught us not to wait for adventure to find you. 'Go find it. It’s everywhere.' And find it we shall," he continues. In the photo, Wersching appears together with Jenna Fischer from 'The Office'.

The statement ends with a surprising "Bye my Buddie. ‘I love you little family." It is an expression that obviously has a special meaning for Stephen Full and Annie Wersching.

The actress, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, began her career in 2002 with a small role in 'Star Trek: Enterprise,' Deadline recalls.

Curiously, one of her last roles would be in the same universe, as she played the Borg Queen in 'Star Trek: Picard.'

After going through well-known and recognizable series such as 'Frasier', 'Angel', 'Supernatural', 'Charmed', and 'Cold Case,' she would get her first important role in 2007.

During 80 episodes, Annie Wersching played Amelia Joffe in the well-known soap opera 'General Hospital'.

In 2009, she made the leap to prime time as Renee Walker, the FBI special agent who worked with Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland, pictured) in seasons 7 and 8 of '24'.

Also remarkable was the role of Lily Salvatore in 'The Vampire Diaries,' the mother of Stefan and Damon. She played the role for 18 episodes.

In recent years, Annie Wersching played Julia Brasher in 'Bosch' (13 episodes) and Leslie Dean, the mother of one of the young protagonists, in 'Runaways' (32 episodes).

Even though cancer was diagnosed, Annie Wersching continued working, both in 'Star Trek: Picard', and in 'The Rookie', the series starring Nathan Fillion. For the latter, she played the part of Rosalind Dyer, a convict who escaped from prison, for six episodes.

While she had an enviable career as a television actress, the fans of 'The Last Of Us' are the ones that have mourned the death of Annie Wersching most on social media. Her Tess will always be part of the history of video games.