Hollywood matchmaker Amber Kelleher-Andrews has passed away following a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer. She was 56.
The relationship broker, who worked as a model and actress before becoming a professional matchmaker, was best known for working with actress Eva Longoria, 50, on the short-lived NBC reality series “Ready for Love” in 2013.
She also appeared as an expert relationship consultant on shows like “Good Morning America, “Today” and “20/20.”
Some of Kelleher-Andrews’ most famous clients include former “Today” host Hoda Kotb, singer Paula Abdul, comedian David Spade and former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens.
Kelleher-Andrews passed away on April 13, per a statement from her family. She will be laid to rest 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 celebrity matchmaker’s cousin, Morgan Kelleher, told 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 statement continued.
“She was larger than life and had an infectious laugh as a little girl,” Kelleher-Andrews’ cousin added.
Morgan also revealed that his late cousin was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2017. But although the cancer 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 said. “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 International, which is one of the largest matchmaking firms in the US. She joined the company, which was founded by her mother, Jill Kelleher-Andrews, in 1997.
She also served on the board of Virgin Unite, the charity company founded by Virgin Group billionaire Richard Branson.
Branson, 74, paid tribute to Kelleher-Andrews upon the news 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 acting credits include the 1990s films “Bloodsport III,” “Mind Rage” and “Lying Eyes.” Kelleher-Andrews also appeared in small roles on shows like “Baywatch,” “Melrose Place” and “Nash Bridges.” She used the stage name 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.”
