NEW YORK (AP) — Actress Sally Kirkland, known for her roles on stage, in films, and on TV, and remembered for her work with Paul Newman and Robert Redford in “The Sting,” as well as her Oscar-nominated performance in “Anna” (1987), has passed away at the age of 84.
Her representative, Michael Greene, confirmed that Kirkland died Tuesday morning at a hospice in Palm Springs.
Earlier this year, friends organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist with her medical expenses after she suffered several fractures. These injuries, along with subsequent infections, required hospital care and rehabilitation.
Kirkland’s career spanned decades, with roles in movies like “The Way We Were,” starring Barbra Streisand, “Revenge” with Kevin Costner, “Cold Feet” featuring Keith Carradine and Tom Waits, Ron Howard’s “EDtv,” Oliver Stone’s “JFK,” and “Bruce Almighty” with Jim Carrey. She also appeared in the TV movie “The Haunted,” and even had a brief appearance in Mel Brooks’ “Blazing Saddles.”
Her portrayal of a Czech movie star rebuilding her life in the United States while mentoring a younger actress in 1987’s “Anna” was her most acclaimed role. This performance earned her a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award nomination, placing her alongside fellow nominees Cher, Glenn Close, Holly Hunter, and Meryl Streep.
One critic at the time noted that Kirkland’s talent had been recognized within the acting community for years, but “Anna” brought her to wider public attention.
Beyond film, Kirkland also appeared on TV shows like “Criminal Minds,” “Roseanne,” and “Charlie’s Angels.”
Born in New York City, Kirkland’s mother, a fashion editor at Vogue and Life magazine, encouraged her to pursue modeling from a young age. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and learned from Philip Burton and Lee Strasberg. Early in her career, she was featured in Andy Warhol’s “13 Most Beautiful Women” in 1964. She embraced challenging roles, including one as a rape victim in Terrence McNally’s “Sweet Eros.”
Kirkland also performed in Shakespeare plays, taking on roles like Helena in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Miranda in “The Tempest.”
She once said that working with Shakespeare gives any actor a strong foundation, and it shows in their future performances.
Kirkland was known for her unconventional roles and willingness to push boundaries in her career. While this might not always align with traditional values, she always sought to bring depth and emotion to her characters.
Throughout her life, Kirkland was involved in charitable work. She volunteered to help people with AIDS, cancer, and heart disease, provided food to the homeless, and advocated for prisoners, especially young people.
Kirkland’s life demonstrates the values of hard work, dedication, and pursuing one’s passion. Though her artistic choices sometimes diverged from mainstream tastes, she remained committed to her craft and to helping those in need.
