VETERAN STAR OF FILM AND TELEVISION REMEMBERED FOR FEARLESS ROLES AND DECADE-SPANNING CAREER
NEW YORK — November 11, 2025. Veteran actress Sally Kirkland, whose career spanned stage, film, and television and whose defining lead role came in the 1987 independent film Anna, has died at the age of 84. Her death was confirmed by her representative, Michael Greene.
Kirkland passed away while in hospice care in Palm Springs, California, following an extended period of ill health that included multiple fractures, infections, and dementia. She had recently been admitted to hospice care after a fall and significant decline in her condition.
Born in New York City in 1941, Kirkland began her career as a model and studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Actors Studio. She emerged in the 1960s art-scene around Andy Warhol’s Factory, and appeared in underground films and off-Broadway productions before gaining mainstream attention.
Her breakthrough came in the film Anna, for which she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and received an Academy Award nomination. Over her six-decade career, she amassed more than 250 film and television credits, including roles in JFK, Bruce Almighty, and guest appearances on series such as Charlie’s Angels and Roseanne.
Despite her acclaim, Kirkland’s later years were marked by health and financial hardship. A GoFundMe campaign launched by friends sought to cover her medical expenses after serious injuries and infections compounded by declining insurance coverage. Her resilience, however, remained a hallmark of her legacy, both on-screen and off.
Kirkland was also a mentor and teacher of acting, and continued to express her spiritual interests, including yoga and ordained ministry. Her life and career embodied an intersection of physical performance, artistry, and personal evolution.
Tributes from peers and admirers highlight a fearless performer who embraced unconventional roles and challenged limits of the craft. “She was never just playing a part — she was living it,” one tribute said.
She is survived by her legacy of bold performances and a community of artists she influenced. Private services will be held, and the family has asked for donations to medical-care charities in lieu of flowers.
