Legendary actress Sally Kirkland has passed away at the age of 84.
Her representative, Michael Greene, confirmed to TMZ that Kirkland died early Tuesday morning at 1:50 a.m. PT.
Greene said in a statement that Kirkland “will be deeply missed.”
Sally Kirkland was an acclaimed American actress whose career spanned more than six decades across film, television, and theater. Born on October 31, 1941, in New York City, she became known for her fearless performances and dedication to her craft.
Kirkland earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in the 1987 independent film Anna, a performance that also won her a Golden Globe. Throughout her prolific career, she appeared in more than 200 film and television projects, including The Sting, JFK, The Player, and Days of Our Lives.
Beyond acting, Kirkland was known for her work as an acting teacher and mentor, helping to inspire generations of young performers. She was also outspoken about spirituality, healing, and humanitarian causes.
Her distinctive presence, emotional depth, and passion for storytelling made her one of Hollywood’s most memorable and enduring figures.
Sally Kirkland was photographed attending the 1999 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, a testament to her long-standing presence in Hollywood’s awards circuit.
The Post has reached out to Kirkland’s representative for comment.
In the months leading up to her passing, Kirkland had entered hospice care in Palm Springs, California, as she battled dementia. Her representative, Michael Greene, shared that the actress was surrounded by loved ones, including her close friend and former student, Cody Galloway, who remained by her side.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched in November 2024 to help the Oscar-nominated actress manage her “significant health crisis” and cover mounting medical expenses.
“Sally is on hospice now and is resting comfortably. Please hold and send the light for Sally,” read a message posted to the fundraiser on November 7.
Sally Kirkland and Paulina Porizkova starred together in the 1987 drama Anna, a film that became one of the defining moments of Kirkland’s career.
Kirkland played the title role of Anna, a Czech actress struggling to rebuild her life and career in New York City after fleeing her homeland. Porizkova portrayed Krystyna, a young and naive immigrant who looks up to Anna as both a mentor and a mother figure.
Their powerful on-screen chemistry anchored the film’s emotional core, exploring themes of identity, sacrifice, and the resilience of women in the face of change.
Kirkland’s performance earned her widespread acclaim, including a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards and a Golden Globe win, cementing her status as one of Hollywood’s most fearless and respected performers.
Sally Kirkland attended the 18th Annual International Beverly Hills Film Festival Opening Night Gala in 2018, radiating her trademark elegance and warmth.
A beloved fixture on the Hollywood scene, Kirkland continued to support independent cinema and emerging filmmakers well into her later years. Her appearance at the event reflected her enduring passion for the craft of filmmaking and her commitment to celebrating the next generation of storytellers.
Sally Kirkland attended the DPA Golden Globes Gift Suite on January 16, 2010, continuing to showcase her enduring grace and love for the entertainment industry.
Organizers of the GoFundMe page later revealed details about the health challenges the Oscar-nominated actress faced in her final years.
“This past year, Sally fractured four bones in her neck, her right wrist, and her left hip,” they wrote. “While recovering, she developed two separate life-threatening infections.”
The update highlighted the immense physical toll Kirkland endured, as well as the resilience she maintained throughout her long and storied life.
Sally Kirkland appeared in the ABC television movie The Kansas City Massacre, showcasing her versatility and commanding screen presence.
The 1975 crime drama, a sequel to Melvin Purvis: G-Man, was inspired by real-life events surrounding the infamous 1933 Kansas City Massacre. Kirkland starred alongside Dale Robertson and Bo Hopkins, contributing a memorable performance that added emotional depth to the gritty, action-driven narrative.
Her role in the film demonstrated Kirkland’s ability to bring humanity and nuance to even the toughest of characters — a hallmark of her decades-long career in film and television.
Sally Kirkland was photographed attending the Annual Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, a celebration that honored her acclaimed performance in Anna and her place among Hollywood’s most respected talents.
In later years, updates from the organizers of her GoFundMe page revealed the severity of her ongoing health challenges.
“The combination of these injuries and infections have required extensive hospitalizations and rehab beyond the 100 days insurance will cover,” one message explained.
On October 2, they shared that Kirkland had endured “a challenging few months as her health continues to struggle.”
“She had a fall in the shower, when she was left unattended; injuring her ribs, foot, along with cuts and bruises,” the post read, noting that she was “receiving 24/7 care in a specialized facility that is providing wonderful safety and care.”
The updates painted a poignant picture of Kirkland’s final chapter — one marked by courage, dignity, and the enduring support of those who loved her.
Sally Kirkland was seen in Los Angeles on January 4, 2020, continuing to embody the grace and poise that defined her long career.
A New York native, Kirkland appeared in over 250 film and television projects during her six-decade career. She began her training with legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg and honed her craft in off-Broadway productions, which eventually led her to join Andy Warhol’s Factory. She appeared in Warhol’s The 13 Most Beautiful Women in 1964 and went on to star in films such as the Western Blue and the psychological drama Coming Apart.
Kirkland is perhaps best remembered for her Academy Award–nominated performance in the 1987 comedy-drama Anna. In the film, she played the titular character, a once-famous actress navigating life in New York City. The story follows an aspiring actress and Czech immigrant, played by Paulina Porizkova, who travels to NYC to meet her idol, Anna, creating a poignant exploration of ambition, identity, and resilience.
Sally Kirkland and Paulina Porizkova starred together in the 1987 film Anna, a performance that would become the defining moment of Kirkland’s career.
Her portrayal of the titular character earned her an Academy Award nomination, as well as wins at the Golden Globe Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards.
In a 2012 interview with The Huffington Post, Kirkland reflected on her experience running a grassroots Oscar campaign and being nominated alongside legends like Cher, Glenn Close, Holly Hunter, and Meryl Streep.
“At the Oscars, there were all these movie stars emerging from their limos, and then there was me. I felt like Cinderella,” she recalled. “The greatest part was the feeling to be in the same Oscar category of these women that I was a huge fan of — Meryl, Glenn, Holly Hunter and Cher, who I used to rollerskate with in the ’70s.”
She added, “If you’re in independent films, and worked hard for years, and you don’t happen to be part of the mega-billion dollar system, and you’ve got the chutzpah to stand up and say this is who I am, it takes all the humanity out of Hollywood not to appreciate that.”
Kirkland’s candid reflections highlighted both her determination and her passion for independent cinema, cementing her legacy as a fearless and devoted artist.
Sally Kirkland and Paulina Porizkova starred together in the 1987 film Anna, a landmark role in Kirkland’s career.
Kirkland played the titular character, a once-famous Czech actress navigating life in New York City, while Porizkova portrayed a young immigrant aspiring to follow in Anna’s footsteps. Their on-screen dynamic captured themes of mentorship, ambition, and resilience, bringing emotional depth to the story.
Kirkland’s performance earned her critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination, a Golden Globe win, and an Independent Spirit Award, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s most fearless and versatile performers.
Sally Kirkland appeared in the ABC television movie Willow B: Women in Prison, showcasing her talent across a variety of roles in both TV and film.
Her extensive career included appearances in notable films such as Bruce Almighty, Cold Feet, Best of the Best, and JFK, as well as popular television series including Charlie’s Angels, Roseanne, Murder, She Wrote, The Nanny, Felicity, and Days of Our Lives.
Kirkland was married twice, first to Michael R. Jarrett and later to actor Mark Hebert; both marriages ended in divorce. Reflecting on her personal life in a 1988 interview with People, she remarked, “It’s hard to find a man who can handle my intensity.”
Her candor, combined with her fearless approach to acting, left a lasting impression on Hollywood and audiences alike.
