In 1982, her first album, Branigan was released, the first single All Night With Me made a mild ripple on the charts peaking at #69. Her following single Gloria tore up the charts peaking at #2 and staying in the top 10 for an amazing 22 weeks.
Throughout the 1980's, the hits kept coming, and the actress in her started to come out too. With guest starring roles in the T.V. shows CHiPs (1983), AutoMan (1984) and Monsters (1991), and the movies Mugsy's Girls (1985) and her lead role in Backstage (1988).
In the 1990's Laura continued to record, but not at the pace she did. Her final full studio album, Over My Heart was released in 1993.
In 1994 Her husband Larry Kruchek was diagnosed with colon cancer and was given 2 months to live. Laura refused to accept that and took a break from showbiz to take care of her husband. She put him on herbal treatments. In 1996, Larry succumbed to the cancer, 2½ years longer than what the doctors said.
In 2001, Laura was ready to get back to recording after 6 years, but before she could, she fell off a ladder while hanging Wisteria and broke both femurs and had to have steel rods put in her legs. She went through 6 months of physical therapy. Laura went back to recording and performing.
Sadly, Laura died on 26 August 2004 of a Brain Aneurysm at age 47.