Christy Knowings’ death certificate has provided new medical details about what happened before the former All That star died at 46 in August.
The document, obtained by PEOPLE, lists cardiac arrest as Knowings’ immediate cause of death. Acute hypoxic respiratory failure and status asthmaticus are listed as conditions leading to her death, while asthma is identified as the underlying cause.
Knowings died August 11, four days after she was hospitalized following a severe asthma attack. A family member previously told TMZ that the attack caused brain damage and that Knowings was placed on life support.
The certificate adds formal medical findings to the account her family provided after her death. Former castmates and colleagues from All That and Sesame Street have spent the weeks since remembering her comedy and the characters she created.
The Death Certificate Adds Detail to Her Final Days
Knowings was hospitalized in the Los Angeles area on August 7 after suffering an asthma attack. A family member told TMZ that she was placed on life support after the attack caused brain damage.
She remained on life support until August 11, when her family made the decision to remove it. Knowings died later that day.
Her father, Charles Dunn, subsequently confirmed his daughter’s death to ABC News. Her manager, Al Hill, remembered Knowings as someone who continually moved between acting, singing and dancing.
The newly reported death certificate lists cardiac arrest first, followed by acute hypoxic respiratory failure and status asthmaticus, with asthma recorded as the underlying cause.
‘All That’ Gave Knowings Some of Her Most Memorable Characters
Knowings joined All That in 1997 and appeared in 32 episodes across three seasons. Her recurring characters included Penny Lane, newscaster Brenda Stone and Jessica in the “Whateverrr!!!” sketches with Amanda Bynes.
Gloria Bankhead, an exaggerated Martha Stewart inspired homemaking personality, remained her personal favorite. In a 2019 Bustle interview, Knowings recalled staying in character even after filming stopped because the cast and crew enjoyed Gloria so much.
Knowings also said the show’s diverse cast allowed performers to bring details from their own backgrounds into the sketches. A Bronx native, she described herself as Native American Afro Latina and said those cultural nuances were celebrated on the show.
Kenan Thompson Said Her Death ‘Hit Hard’
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Kenan Thompson was among the former All That cast members who publicly remembered Knowings after her death.
“Man this one hit hard!!!” Thompson wrote in his August 13 tribute. He called Knowings “a real one” and “one of the funniest people out here,” adding that he was going to miss his former castmate.
Kel Mitchell also remembered Knowings as naturally funny, talented and fearless with comedy. He praised her ability to create memorable characters and thanked her for the joy she brought to the people around her.
‘Sesame Street’ Remembered Her Work With Twin Brother Chris
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Knowings later appeared on Sesame Street alongside her twin brother, Chris Knowings, who has been a longtime performer on the children’s series.
After her death, the official Sesame Street account shared footage of the siblings together and offered condolences to Chris and the rest of the Knowings family.
Knowings continued working creatively outside children’s television as well. She pursued music and released the folk single “To the World” in 2020, reflecting the range of interests Hill highlighted while remembering her after her death.