by Doms Desk
Alissa Ann Smego was a talented actress who appeared in several national commercials and prime time television shows, including an episode of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. She was also a broadcast journalist, a yoga instructor, and a loving mother. However, behind her radiant smile and bubbling personality, she was struggling with a mental illness that eventually led her to take her own life in 2013. This is the tragic story of Alissa Ann Smego’s cause of death and how she touched the lives of many people.
Contents
- 1 Early Life and Career
- 2 Personal Life and Mental Illness
- 3 Legacy and Tribute
Early Life and Career
Alissa Ann Smego was born on April 6, 1975 in Livingston, New Jersey and raised in Darien, Connecticut. She graduated from Darien High School and attended Vanderbilt University and the University of Southern California, where she earned her BA in Political Science. She also pursued an acting career and appeared in several national commercials and prime time television shows, such as Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, and Saved by the Bell: The College Years. One of her most memorable roles was as Shawna, a friend of Kimberly (the Pink Ranger) in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers episode “Forever Friends” in 1995.
After graduating from USC, Alissa moved back to the East coast and settled in Boston, Massachusetts. She received her Masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University and worked as an intern for a local news show in Fargo, North Dakota as a beat reporter. She then became an editor and features producer at the New England Sports Network (NESN) nightly news show, Sports Desk. She also helped launch a unique live cooking show at the Rustic Kitchen, a local Boston restaurant, where she hosted In the Kitchen with Alissa Bigelow.
Personal Life and Mental Illness
Alissa married Edward “Ned” Bigelow IV in 2002 and gave birth to their daughter, Olivia Raymond Bigelow, in 2004. She also became an accomplished yoga instructor at Karma Yoga Studio in the Boston area. However, despite her successful career and happy family, Alissa was suffering from a mental illness that she kept hidden from most people. According to IMDb, she died by suicide on October 5, 2013 in Boston at the age of 38.
The exact nature of Alissa’s mental illness is not publicly known, but it is speculated that she may have had bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. According to Looper, her death came as a shock to many of her friends and fans, who remembered her as a vibrant and cheerful person. Her former co-star David Yost (the Blue Ranger) said that he was “heartbroken” by the news and that he had “always admired her strength.” Her former co-star Walter Emanuel Jones (the Black Ranger) said that he was “deeply saddened” by her passing and that he had “always enjoyed working with her.”
Legacy and Tribute
Alissa left behind her precious daughter Olivia, her parents Dr. Douglas R. and Mary Ann Smego, her sister Amy Ann Smego, her brother Raymond D. Smego and his wife Dr. Allison Smego, her former husband Ned Bigelow, and her special friend Johnny McDonough. She is also survived by many adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. A memorial funeral mass was held for her at the Cathedral of The Holy Cross in Boston on November 8, 2013. In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorials to be sent to The Chestnut Hill School or the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.
Alissa’s death also sparked some controversy among the Power Rangers fandom, as some fans blamed the show for exploiting her mental illness or causing it in the first place. However, these claims are unfounded and disrespectful to Alissa’s memory and legacy. Alissa was proud of her role as Shawna and enjoyed working on the show with her co-stars. She even attended a Power Morphicon convention in 2010 with other former Power Rangers actors. Her episode “Forever Friends” is still considered one of the best episodes of the series by many fans.
Alissa Ann Smego’s cause of death was a tragic loss for everyone who knew her and loved her. She was a talented actress, a dedicated journalist, a passionate yoga instructor, and a loving mother. She touched many lives with her great laugh and infectious smile. She will always be remembered as a beautiful person inside and out. Rest in peace, Alissa Ann Smego. You are forever our friend.
