Sally Kirkland

For her mother and the magazine editor, see Sally Kirkland (editor).

Sally Kirkland
Kirkland in 2014
Born(1941-10-31)October 31, 1941
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 11, 2025(2025-11-11) (aged 84)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
Years active1962–2025
Spouse(s)
Michael R. Jarrett
​
​
(m. 1974; div. 1975)​

Mark Hebert
​
​
(m. 1985, divorced)​
[1]
MotherSally Kirkland
AwardsAwards

Sally Kirkland Jr. (October 31, 1941 – November 11, 2025) was an American actress and producer.[2][3] A one-time member of Andy Warhol's The Factory, she was a part of 1960s New York avant-garde theater. She appeared in more than 250 film and television productions during a 60-year career. Kirkland was the daughter of Sally Kirkland, fashion editor of Life and Vogue.

Kirkland garnered widespread critical acclaim for her eponymous performance as a former popular actress in the independent comedy-drama Anna (1987), which earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She also won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film.[4][5]

Kirkland was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film for her performance in the horror film The Haunted (1991). She was also known for her roles in Best of the Best (1989),[6] JFK (1991),[7] and Bruce Almighty (2003).[8]

Early life

Kirkland was born in New York City on October 31, 1941,[9] to Sally (née Phinney), an Oklahoma-born fashion editor for Vogue and Life magazines, and Frederic McMichael Kirkland, a scrap metals merchant from Philadelphia.[10]

Standing at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall, Kirkland began her career as a model.[10] She also worked as a go-go dancer at the Peppermint Lounge in Los Angeles before studying acting at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen. Notably, Robert De Niro dated one of her roommates.[11][9] Kirkland graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles in 1961.[12]

Career

1962–1986: Initial work

Kirkland began acting Off-Broadway in 1963.[13] She joined Andy Warhol's The Factory and appeared nude while tied to a chair for 45 minutes in The 13 Most Beautiful Women., a 1964 drama film.[10] By 1964, she was deeply involved in New York City's avant-garde movement. During that time, she was an active drug user until an attempted suicide frightened her into improving her life via yoga and painting.[9] She returned to film in 1968, appearing in the western Blue[14] and starred in the underground film Coming Apart (1969).

For the 1970s and most of the 1980s Kirkland had secondary roles in such films as Going Home (1971), The Young Nurses (1973), The Way We Were (1973), The Sting (1973), Big Bad Mama (1974), Crazy Mama (1975), Breakheart Pass (1975), Griffin and Phoenix: A Love Story (1976; U.S. made-for-television movie which was also released theatrically overseas), A Star Is Born (1976), and Private Benjamin (1980). She played a leading role in the 1984 horror film Fatal Games. Her television credits include guest-starring roles on Hawaii Five-O, Police Story, The Rookies, Three's Company, Kojak, Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and Falcon Crest.[15]

1987–1999: Critical acclaim and awards success

In 1987, Kirkland received widespread critical acclaim for her eponymous performance as a former popular actress in the independent comedy-drama Anna.[16] The Washington Post deemed her performance "superb"[17] and the Los Angeles Times rated her as one of the best actresses of the decade.[18] She won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.[4][5][16][19] In 1989, she appeared in the sports drama Best of the Best.[20]

In 1990s, Kirkland starred in the action-comedy Bullseye! (1990) opposite Michael Caine, and played supporting roles in Revenge (1990), JFK (1991), Gunmen (1994), Excess Baggage (1997), and EDtv (1999). Kirkland also co-starred in the 1989/1990 genre films including Paint It Black, Cold Feet, High Stakes, and Two Evil Eyes, as well as starred in the 1992 erotic thrillers In the Heat of Passion and Double Threat, which were successful as home video releases.[21] Her career shifted to the small screen during this time, appearing in lead roles in several made-for-television movies, and starring in the syndicated soap opera Valley of the Dolls in 1994. In 1990, she also played Truvy Jones in the television adaptation of Steel Magnolias. For her performance in the television film The Haunted (1991), Kirkland received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film. She was a guest star on Roseanne, Murder, She Wrote, and The Nanny. In 1999, she had recurring roles in Felicity and Days of Our Lives.

2000–2025: Later career

In 2000s, she played supporting roles in films including Bruce Almighty (2003), Adam & Steve (2005), and Big Stan (2007). She hosted a weekly program on the syndicated HealthyLife Radio Network.[22] In 2019, she starred in the film Cuck.[23][24] In 2020, she had a leading role in Hope For The Holidays on Amazon Prime Video with Robert Lasardo, Doug Hutchison, Alex Cubis, and George Stults.[25]

In 2024, Kirkland starred as herself in the independent comedy film, Sallywood, a parody about a longtime fan of the actress who becomes her assistant and helps her in her quest to return to red-carpet glory.[26]

Other work and activism

Kirkland was a health activist whose work included advocacy for women harmed by breast implants. She founded the Kirkland Institute for Implant Survival Syndrome in August 1998.[27] She was an ordained minister in the church of Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness.[28]

She was a painter[29] and a noted acting teacher whose students included Sandra Bullock, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Dwight Yoakam, and Roseanne Barr, among others.[30][31]

Illness and death

Kirkland later suffered from dementia. According to a fund raiser for her medical care, she had suffered a fall in October 2025 which resulted in injuries to her ribs and foot. She died in hospice care in Palm Springs, California, the following month, on November 11, 2025, aged 84.[32][33][34]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1964 The 13 Most Beautiful Women Beautiful Woman [10]
1968 Blue Sara Lambert [35]
1969 Coming Apart Joann [36]
Futz Merry Lee [35]
1970 Brand X Patient/President's Wife [35]
1971 Jump [35]
Going Home Ann Graham [35]
1973 Cinderella Liberty Fleet Chick [35]
The Sting Crystal [35]
The Way We Were Pony Dunbar [35]
The Young Nurses Woman at clinic [35]
1974 Big Bad Mama Barney's woman
Blazing Saddles Cashier [35]
Candy Stripe Nurses Wife in clinic [35]
1975 Bite the Bullet Honey [35]
Crazy Mama Ella Mae [35]
Breakheart Pass Jane Marie [35]
The Noah Friday Anne Voice role
1976 Pipe Dreams Two Street Betty [35]
A Star Is Born Photographer [35]
1977 Flush Janet
1979 Hometown U.S.A. Gwen [35]
1980 Private Benjamin Helga [35]
The Georgia Peaches Vivian Stark
1981 The Incredible Shrinking Woman Store cashier [35]
1982 Human Highway Kathryn
1984 Love Letters Sally [35]
Fatal Games Diane Paine
1987 Anna Anna [35]
1989 White Hot Harriet
Paint It Black Maria Easton
Cold Feet Maureen [35]
Best of the Best Kathryn Wade [35]
High Stakes Bambi / Melanie Rose
1990 Two Evil Eyes Eleonora Segment: "The Black Cat"
Revenge The Rock Star [35]
Bullseye! Willie
1991 JFK Rose Cheramie [35]
1992 In the Heat of Passion Lee Adams [35]
The Player Herself [35]
Forever Angelica
Hit the Dutchman Emma Flegenheimer
Primary Motive Helen Poulas
Double Threat Monica Martel [35]
Stringer Joan
1993 Paper Hearts Jenny Stevenson Alternate title: Cheatin' Hearts [35]
Eye of the Stranger Lori [35]
1994 Gunmen Bennett
1995 Guns and Lipstick Danielle Roberts
1997 Amnesia Charlene Hunt
Excess Baggage Louise Doucette
Get a Clue Sydelle Pulaski
1998 Wilbur Falls Roberta Devereaux [35]
Paranoia Dr. Kurtzwell
The Island Marilyn Monroe
1999 EDtv Jeanette [35]
Starry Night Det. Brook Murphy
2000 Norma Jean, Jack, and Me Norma Jean [35]
2001 Thank You, Good Night Doreen
Out of the Black Elizabeth Malby
A Month of Sundays Katherine St. Croix
Wish You Were Dead Penelope Wilson
2002 The Rose Technique Helen [35]
2003 Bruce Almighty Anita Mann
2004 Mango Kiss Emilia
Bloodlines Joyce
2005 Neo Ned Shelly Nelson [35]
Adam & Steve Mary
What's Up, Scarlet? Ruth Zabrinski [35]
Chandler Hall Sally
2006 Off the Black Marianne Reynolds [35]
A-List Olga
Fingerprints Mary
Coffee Date Mrs. Muller [35]
2007 Big Stan Jury Madam Foreman
Resurrection Mary Lois
Blind Spot Penelope Denmore Short
2008 Richard III Queen Margaret
Mollie & Friends Elizabeth St. James
Oak Hill Elizabeth St. James
Bald Mrs. Elise Stern
2010 House Under Siege Pat Mazur
Lights Out Rose
2011 The Last Gamble Sally
The Wayshower Jeena
The Wishmakers Mary
Division III: Football's Finest Crystal Vice
2012 Archaeology of a Woman Margaret
Broken Roads Mrs. Wallace [35]
Posey Posey Short film
2013 Awakened Harriet Bendi
The Visitor from Planet Omicron Jen
2014 Ron and Laura Take Back America Sally
The Bride From Vegas Suzy 'The Salt Shaker'
Suburban Gothic Virginia
Tom in America Betty Short film
2015 Buddy Hutchins Bertha
2016 The Code of Cain Elisabeth
Courting Des Moines Maxine Jackson
Trash Fire Florence
Buddy Solitaire Hanna
2017 Making a Killing Dolores
The Most Hated Woman in America Lena Christina [37]
Price for Freedom Francine Wayne
Gnaw (Apartment 212) Claudette
2018 Get Married or Die Margaret
The Second Coming of Christ Stella
Los Angeles Overnight Mrs. Chantilly
Sarah Q Helena
Wally Got Wasted Marilyn Tuttlebaum
2019 Cuck Mother
Paint It Red Adele
2020 Hell Hole Dr. Parker
Hope for the Holidays Georgia [38]
Invincible Dr. Quade
2021 The Trouble Ms. Greyson
The Legend of Resurrection Mary Lois
2022 Bobcat Moretti Helene Moretti
2023 When It Rings Lesley Judd [39]
Altered Perceptions Theresa Morgan
80 for Brady Ida
2024 Skeltons in the Closet Madam Futura
Sallywood Sally Kirkland [40]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1965 New York Television Theatre Barbara Fiers Episode: "The Drapes Come"
1973 Hawaii Five-O Betty Rowan Episode: "Murder Is a Taxing Affair"
1974 Toma Rita Episode: "The Big Dealers"
1974‍–‍78 Kojak Gloria/Shirley 2 episodes
1975 The Kansas City Massacre Wilma Floyd TV film
Death Scream Mary
Bronk Policewoman Haley / Billie 2 episodes
Petrocelli Joan Arnold Episode: "Too Many Alibis"
1976 Baretta Rita Episode: "The Left Hand of the Devil"
The Rookies Carol Brenner Episode: "From Out of the Darkness"
Griffin and Phoenix Jody TV film
Captains and the Kings Aggie Episode: "Chapter VIII"
1977 Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model? Della Bianco TV film
Three's Company Sally Episode: "Jack Looks for a Job"
1978 Starsky & Hutch Greta Wren / Dora Pruitt Episode: "Photo Finish"
The Incredible Hulk Margaret Hollinger Episode: "A Child in Need"
Lou Grant Dr. Eilene Peterson Episode: "Slaughter"
1979 Visions Yvette "Ladies in Waiting"
Supertrain Katherine Sully "A Very Formal Heist"
1979‍–‍1981 Charlie's Angels Lonnie/Laurie Archer 2 episodes
1980 Willow B: Women in Prison Kate Stewart TV film
The Georgia Peaches Vivian Stark
1982 Lou Grant Vicky Doppler Episode: "Law"
Insight Ruth Episode: "So Little Time"
1983 Falcon Crest Ella 2 episodes
1989 Trying Times Agripina Gravanescu-Smith Episode: "Death and Taxes"
1990 Heat Wave Mrs. Canfield TV film
Steel Magnolias Truvy Jones
Largo Desolato Suzana
1991 The Haunted Janet Smurl
1992 The Ray Bradbury Theater Mary Morris Episode: "Zero Hour"
Raven Flori Episode: "Flori and Dori"
Double Jeopardy Det. Phyllis Camden TV film
1992‍–‍93 Roseanne Barbara Healy 2 episodes
1993 The Woman Who Loved Elvis Sandee Sloop TV film
Jack's Place Peg Episode: "Play It Again, Jack"
Double Deception Anita Cortez TV film
1994 Valley of the Dolls Helen Lawson Main role
1995 Picture Windows Blossom Episode: "Song of Songs"
Murder, She Wrote Evelyn Colby Episode: "The Scent of Murder"
1996 High Tide Matilda Episode: "The Curse of the High Tide"
Goode Behavior Molly Episode: "Goode Golly, Miss Molly"
The Nanny Tattoo Lady Episode: "Tattoo"
1997 Women: Stories of Passion Annie Episode: "Hotel Magic"
The Hunger Mrs. Garington Episode: "Bridal Suite"
Get a Clue Sydelle Pulaski TV film
1998 Brave New World Linda
1999 Days of Our Lives Tracey Simpson Supporting role (22 episodes)
Chicken Soup for the Soul Wanda Episode: "Simple Wooden Boxes"
Felicity Prof. Annie Sherman Guest role (season 2)
2000 Another Woman's Husband Roxie TV film
2001 Strong Medicine Stella Riggs Episode: "Donors"
Resurrection Blvd. Mrs. De La Vega Episode: "El Que Necesita"
2002 Night of the Wolf Rose Handy TV film
Another Pretty Face Sylvie Tucker
2005 Wanted Sheila Beckwith Episode: "The Promise of Darkness"
2007 The Simple Life: Goes to Camp Herself
2010 The Agency Max TV series
Criminal Minds May Walden Episode: "Reflection of Desire"
2011 Paul Cruz: Latin Actor (A Mockuseries) Sally Kirkland 3 episodes
2013 Bennington Gothique Grand Wentworth (voice) TV series
2014 Theatre Fantastique Louisa Mae Episode: "The Happy Home of the Murderous Mahones"
All I Want for Christmas Gwen TV film
2015 40's and Failing Flora TV series
2017 Conversations in L.A. Evelyn James Episode: "First Step"
Good Samaritans Olivia De Mills Episode: "What Do You Say We Get You a Puppy?"

Awards and nominations

Award/association Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Academy Awards 1988 Best Actress Anna Nominated [41]
California Independent Film Festival 1997 Best Actress Blind Spot Won [42]
DVD Exclusive Awards 2003 Best Supporting Actress Wish You Were Dead Nominated
Fort Myers Beach Film Festival 2013 Best Actress Posey Won [43]
Golden Globe Awards 1988 Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Anna Won [44]
1992 Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film The Haunted Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards 1988 Best Female Lead Anna Won [45]
La Femme International Film Festival 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award Honored [46]
Long Island International Film Expo 2015 Best Actress Tom in America Won [47]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association 1988 Best Actress (shared with Holly Hunter for Broadcast News) Anna Won [48]
Madrid International LGBT Film Festival 2015 Special Mention (shared with Burt Young) Tom in America Won
Maverick Movie Awards 2015 Best Actress: Short Nominated
Online Film & Television Association 1999 Best Supporting Actress in a Daytime Serial Days of Our Lives Won
Queens World Film Festival 2016 Best Actress in a Short Tom in America Nominated
Studio City Film Festival 2013 Best Actress: Short Film Posey Won
Wild Rose Independent Film Festival 2013 Best Actress – Short Film Won

See also

References

  1. ^ Edel, Victoria; McRady, Rachel (November 11, 2025). "Sally Kirkland, Veteran Actress and Oscar Nominee, Dies at 84". People. Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  2. ^ "Sally Kirkland". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2016. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
  3. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (September 11, 2014). "A Weakness for Cops, a Crime to Solve 'Archaeology of a Woman,' Starring Sally Kirkland". The New York Times.
  4. ^ a b "Awards for 1987 – LAFCA". www.lafca.net. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Other Critics, Other Choices for the best in film fare". The Philadelphia Inquirer. February 21, 1988. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  6. ^ "Best of The Best". Los Angeles Times. November 19, 1989. p. 151. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  7. ^ Canby, Vincent (December 20, 1991). "Review/Film: J.F.K.; When Everything Amounts to Nothing (Published 1991)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  8. ^ Thomas, Kevin (May 23, 2003). "Not quite divine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c "Sally Kirkland | Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos". AllMovie.
  10. ^ a b c d Williams, Alex (November 12, 2025). "Sally Kirkland, Scene-Stealing Actress, Dies at 84". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2025.
  11. ^ Straight to the Heart of Hollywood Moxie: A Candid Interview with Sally Kirkland Moxie Magazine. 2000.
  12. ^ "American Academy of Dramatic Arts – Notable Alumni". Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  13. ^ "The Love Nest". lortel.org. Lucille Lortel Foundation. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  14. ^ "List of books in Sally Kirkland's bathroom, Fall 1969". Other scenes. Wisconsin Historical Society Online Collections. GI Press Collection, 1964–1977. p. 9. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  15. ^ "Charlie's Angels". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Gruber, Xaque (February 22, 2012). "25 Years After Anna, Sally Kirkland Reflects on the Oscar Race for Best Actress". The Huffington Post.
  17. ^ Kempley, Rita (February 26, 1987). "Anna". Washington Post. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  18. ^ "Picking the Decade's Best Directors, Performances". Los Angeles Times. December 29, 1989. p. 97. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  19. ^ Maslin, Janet (October 2, 1987). "Anna (1987)". The New York Times.
  20. ^ Holden, Stephen (November 11, 1989). "Best of Best". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  21. ^ "Double Threat". TVGuide.com.
  22. ^ "Sally Kirkland Show". healthylife.net. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  23. ^ Harvey, Dennis (October 3, 2019). "Film Review: 'Cuck'". Variety. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  24. ^ "'Cuck': Film Review". Hollywood Reporter. October 2, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  25. ^ "Sally Kirkland Stars In A New Must-See Movie, 'Hope For The Holidays'". Instinct Magazine. December 12, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  26. ^ "Sallywood movie review & film summary (2025) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com.
  27. ^ "K.I.I.S.S Kirkland Institute of Implant Survival Syndrome". Sallykirkland.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  28. ^ Stanley, John (May 5, 1991). "Who Ya Gonna Call? / Sally Kirkland vs. ghosts in "fact'-based "The Haunted'". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco, California. p. 48.
  29. ^ "The Sally Kirkland vu from the land of the silver screen". the-vu. August 1, 2000. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  30. ^ "Chatting with Sally Kirkland: Academy Award-nominated actress (Includes interview)". www.digitaljournal.com. October 6, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  31. ^ "A Woman of Meditation and a Million Words". Los Angeles Times. August 27, 2002. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  32. ^ Notice of death of Sally Kirkland, yahoo.com. Accessed November 14, 2025.
  33. ^ McGeorge, Alistair (November 11, 2025). "Hollywood icon Sally Kirkland dies aged 84 after dementia diagnosis". Metro. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  34. ^ McGrath, Rachel (November 11, 2025). "Sally Kirkland death: Oscar-nominated actor dies aged 84 days after entering hospice care". The Independent. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am "Sally Kirkland Filmography". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022.
  36. ^ "Coming Apart". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Archived from the original on May 13, 2024.
  37. ^ "The Most Hated Woman in America – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on November 17, 2025.
  38. ^ "Sally Kirkland Stars In A New Must-See Movie, 'Hope For The Holidays'". Instinct Magazine. December 12, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  39. ^ McNary, Dave (July 27, 2017). "Sally Kirkland, Mel Novak Starring in Thriller 'When It Rings' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  40. ^ Grobar, Matt (November 5, 2024). "Oscar Nominee Sally Kirkland & Tyler Steelman Talk 'Sallywood,' True Story Of Show Biz Friendship, & Navigating The Highs And Lows Of A Hollywood Career". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 17, 2025.
  41. ^ "The 60th Academy Awards". Academy Awards. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014.
  42. ^ "Past Awards". California Independent Film Festival. Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  43. ^ Robbins, Caryn (April 29, 2013). "Fort Myers Beach Film Festival Announces Award Winners". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  44. ^ "Sally Kirkland". Golden Globe Awards. Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  45. ^ "34 Years of Nominees and Winners" (PDF). Film Independent Spirit Awards. 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 30, 2025.
  46. ^ "Past Celebrity Honorees". La Femme International Film Festival. Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  47. ^ "2015 LIIFE Nominees and Winners". September 29, 2018. Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
  48. ^ "Awards for 1987". Los Angeles Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on November 16, 2025.
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