American actress and former model, Sally Kirkland, known for her work in stage, television, and film, has passed away at the age of 84. Her publicist, Michael Greene, confirmed her death at a hospice in Palm Springs, California.
Kirkland’s friends had set up a fundraising campaign earlier this year to support her medical expenses following multiple injuries, including fractures in her neck, wrist, and hip, along with subsequent infections that required hospitalization and rehabilitation.
Throughout her career, Kirkland appeared in various notable films such as “The Sting” alongside Paul Newman and Robert Redford, “Anna” for which she received an Oscar nomination, “The Way We Were” with Barbra Streisand, “Revenge” with Kevin Costner, and “Cold Feet” with Keith Carradine and Tom Waits. She also had roles in “EDtv,” “JFK,” “Heatwave,” “High Stakes,” “Bruce Almighty,” and the 1991 TV movie “The Haunted.”
Additionally, Kirkland made a cameo in Mel Brooks’s “Blazing Saddles” and her most significant role was in “Anna,” where she portrayed a Czech actress rebuilding her life in the U.S. and mentoring a young actor, played by Paulina Porizkova. This performance earned her a Golden Globe award and an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
On television, Kirkland appeared in popular shows like “Criminal Minds,” “Roseanne,” “Head Case,” “Valley of the Dolls,” and “Charlie’s Angels.”
Born in New York City, Kirkland’s mother, a fashion editor, encouraged her to start modeling at a young age. Kirkland later pursued acting, graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and studying under renowned mentors such as Philip Burton and Lee Strasberg.
Apart from her acting career, Kirkland was involved in various volunteer activities, including efforts with the Red Cross. She also participated in New Age groups, taught seminars, and was a longtime member of the Church of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness.
Despite some unconventional roles in her early career, such as appearing nude in the film “Futz,” Kirkland was known for her advocacy work for various causes, including AIDS, cancer, and homelessness, earning her the title of “the latter-day Isadora Duncan of nudothespianism.”