Sally Kirkland, the effervescent actress best known for her Oscar-nominated role in the 1987 independent film 'Anna,' has died at age 84. Her representative confirmed she passed away early Tuesday morning in Palm Springs, California, after being placed on hospice care due to injuries from a recent fall and underlying health issues. Kirkland's career spanned decades, including notable roles in films like 'The Way We Were' and TV series such as 'Felicity' and 'Roseanne.'
Career Highlights
Kirkland earned a best actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a Czech actress mentoring a younger performer, played by Paulina Porizkova, in the modest comedy 'Anna.' Her grassroots campaign, which included writing letters to critics and leveraging connections like Andy Warhol, also secured her a Golden Globe and L.A. Film Critics award. Reflecting on the experience, Kirkland told the Huffington Post in 2012: "At the Oscars, there were all these movie stars emerging from their limos, and then there was me. I felt like Cinderella." 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."
Born in New York City, Kirkland trained with Lee Strasberg and began in off-Broadway and avant-garde theater, joining Andy Warhol’s Factory. Her screen debut was in Warhol’s 1964 short 'The 13 Most Beautiful Women.' In the 1970s, she appeared in guest spots on shows like 'Kojak' and 'Three’s Company,' and small roles in major films including 'The Way We Were' (1973), 'Cinderella Liberty' (1973), 'The Sting' (1973), and 'A Star Is Born' (1976). Her first lead came in the 1984 horror film 'Fatal Games.' Post-'Anna,' she continued in projects like 'JFK' (1991), 'Bruce Almighty' (2003), and 'Hope for the Holidays' (2006). On television, she had recurring roles in 'Felicity,' 'Roseanne,' 'Valley of the Dolls,' and 'Days of Our Lives.' In 2024, she starred as herself in the indie film 'Sallywood,' based on director Xaque Gruber's real experiences as her assistant.
Health and Passing
Kirkland suffered a fall in the shower in October, injuring her ribs and foot, leading to hospice care last week. She had been diagnosed with a bone infection that spread to her bloodstream, as well as dementia. She is survived by godson Coty Galloway (Bailey); close friends Paige Dylan, Mel England, Leigh Taylor Young, Xaque Gruber, and Maggie Wagner; manager Valerie McCaffery; agent Michael Greene; and cousins Brookie, Katherine, and Tina Kirkland.