Christy Knowings, an actress who played absurdist characters on the ’90s sketch comedy show “All That,” died on Tuesday in a hospital in Long Beach, Calif. She was 46.
Her death was confirmed on Thursday by her father, Charles Dunn. She had gone into cardiac arrest after experiencing a severe asthma attack, he said.
“All That,” a Nickelodeon show, was a PG version of “Saturday Night Live” featuring a diverse cast and musical performances by hip-hop and R&B stars such as TLC, Aaliyah and Usher. Its joyful silliness made it a major children’s television hit.
“All That” aired for 10 seasons and helped launch the careers of Nick Cannon, Amanda Bynes and Kenan Thompson, the longest-tenured cast member on “S.N.L.”
Christy Lorraine Dunn was born on Feb. 25, 1980, in the Bronx. She attended the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan.
Ms. Knowings loved to sing and dance but it was not until high school that she realized a career in entertainment was possible, Mr. Dunn said.
When she was 17, a casting agent saw her act as an extra on “And Now This!” Mr. Dunn said, referring to a Nickelodeon show hosted by Rosie O’Donnell.
“Shortly after that, she was on a plane to Los Angeles,” Mr. Dunn said.
Ms. Knowings joined the cast of “All That” in 1997 and stayed for three seasons. She also appeared with her twin brother, Christopher Knowings, in episodes of “Sesame Street” and guest-starred in the ’90s police show “New York Undercover.”
Aside from her television roles, Ms. Knowings was a musician and a singer. She also did voice-over work for commercials and digital books, Mr. Dunn said.
In addition to her father, Ms. Knowings is survived by her mother, Rénee Knowings Dunn; and by her siblings Christopher Knowings, Charles Dunn Jr., Ashley Dunn Ledger, Yavonka Vega, Tamea Dunn and Lee Elder.
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