At a Glance
- Former Nickelodeon child star Kianna Underwood, 33, was killed in a Brooklyn hit-and-run on Friday.
- She was first hit by a black Ford Explorer SUV, then struck again by a black-and-gray sedan while lying in the street.
- Both drivers fled the scene; police have not identified either vehicle or driver.
- Why it matters: The death of a beloved childhood performer highlights the dangers of hit-and-run crashes and leaves fans mourning a lost talent.
Kianna Underwood, who rose to fame on Nickelodeon’s sketch-comedy series All That and voiced Fuschia on Little Bill, died Friday morning after being struck by two vehicles in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York. She was 33.
The Crash
According to the New York Police Department, Underwood was crossing an intersection when a black Ford Explorer SUV hit her. While she lay in the roadway, a second vehicle – described as a black-and-gray sedan – struck her again. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
Both drivers left without stopping. Investigators have not released license-plate numbers or suspect descriptions, and no arrests have been announced.
Underwood’s death is classified as a double hit-and-run. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and appealing for witnesses.
From Child Star to Broadway
Underwood’s screen career began in 1999 when she started voicing Fuschia Glover on Little Bill, the animated preschool series created by Bill Cosby. She remained with the Nick Jr. show through 2004.
In 2005 she joined the cast of All That, Nickelodeon’s long-running sketch-comedy program that discovered stars including Kenan Thompson, Amanda Bynes and Nick Cannon. Underwood appeared in seven episodes during the show’s tenth season.
After television, Underwood transitioned to theater. She spent a year on the first national tour of the Tony-winning musical Hairspray, performing the role of Little Inez.
Her last credited screen role was All That. Friends say she had stepped back from performing to focus on family and community work in recent years.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have not determined which impact caused the fatal injuries. The medical examiner’s office will release cause-of-death findings once the autopsy is complete.
Traffic-safety advocates note that Brownsville has seen a rise in pedestrian injuries this year. City data show 12 pedestrians hit within a half-mile of Friday’s intersection in 2024, up from seven during the same period last year.
Anyone with information is asked to call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline. A reward is available for tips leading to an arrest.
Tributes Pour In
Former castmates remembered Underwood’s energy and humor. Social-media posts under the hashtag #RIPKianna recall her memorable All That characters and warm backstage presence.
“She could make the whole room laugh without trying,” one post reads. “Gone way too soon.”
Nickelodeon has not yet released an official statement.
Key Takeaways
- Kianna Underwood, 33, died after two vehicles struck her in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and both drivers fled.
- She starred in Little Bill for five seasons and All That for seven episodes, then toured with Hairspray.
- Police continue to search for the drivers; no suspects have been named.
- Fans and co-stars are honoring her legacy online as investigators seek witnesses.
