Sally Kirkland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sally Kirkland
Kirkland in Carthay Circle, Los Angeles, March 2014
Born	(1941-10-31)October 31, 1941 New York City, U.S.
Died	November 11, 2025(2025-11-11) (aged 84) Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Actors Studio American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Occupation	Actress, producer
Years active	1962–2025
Spouse(s)	Michael R. Jarrett ​ ​ (m. 1974; div. 1975)​
Parent(s)	Sally Kirkland (mother)
Awards	Awards

Sally Kirkland Jr. (born October 31, 1941, died November 11, 2025) was a talented American actress and producer. She had a long career, appearing in over 250 movies and TV shows. Sally Kirkland was also known for her work in unique theater performances in New York during the 1960s. Her mother, also named Sally Kirkland, was a famous fashion editor for magazines like Life and Vogue.

She received many awards and praise for her role in the movie Anna (1987). For this film, she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and was nominated for an 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 amazing work in Anna.

Sally Kirkland was also recognized with a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film nomination for her role in the TV movie The Haunted (1991). Some of her other well-known movies include Cold Feet (1989), Best of the Best (1989), JFK (1991), and Bruce Almighty (2003).

Growing Up and Early Training

Sally Kirkland was born in New York City on October 31, 1941. She was named after her mother, who was a fashion editor for famous magazines like Vogue and Life. Sally grew up in Oklahoma. Before becoming an actress, she worked as a model for Vogue magazine. She then went on to study acting at the prestigious Actors Studio with famous teachers like Lee Strasberg and Uta Hagen. She also graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles in 1961, which helped her prepare for her acting career.

Career Highlights

Early Acting Roles

Sally Kirkland started her acting career Off-Broadway in 1963. She was part of Andy Warhol's famous art studio, The Factory, and was involved in the unique art and theater scene in New York City during the 1960s. After facing some personal challenges, she focused on improving her life through activities like yoga and painting. She returned to movies in 1968, appearing in the western Blue and starring in the film Coming Apart (1969).

Kirkland at the 79th Annual Academy Awards Children Uniting Nations/Billboard afterparty, February 2007.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Sally Kirkland took on many supporting roles in movies. Some of these films included Going Home (1971), The Way We Were (1973), The Sting (1973), and A Star Is Born (1976). She also had a main role in the 1984 film Fatal Games. On television, she made guest appearances in popular shows like Hawaii Five-O, Three's Company, Kojak, and Charlie's Angels.

Award-Winning Performances

In 1987, Sally Kirkland earned a lot of praise for her leading role in the movie Anna. Critics called her performance "superb" and one of the best of the decade. For this role, she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, which is a very high honor. After Anna, she appeared in movies like Cold Feet (1989) and Paint It Black (1989).

During the 1990s, Sally Kirkland continued to act in many films and TV shows. She starred in the action comedy Bullseye! (1990) with Michael Caine. She also had supporting roles in movies like JFK (1991), The Player (1992), and Excess Baggage (1997). On television, she played important roles in several TV movies. She also starred in the TV series Valley of the Dolls in 1994. Her role in the TV film The Haunted (1991) earned her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award. She also made guest appearances on popular shows such as Roseanne, Murder, She Wrote, and The Nanny. Towards the end of the 1990s, she had recurring roles in Felicity and Days of Our Lives.

Later Career

In the 2000s, Sally Kirkland continued her acting work. She appeared in supporting roles in movies like Bruce Almighty (2003), Adam & Steve (2005), and Big Stan (2007). She also hosted a radio show called HealthyLife Radio Network. In recent years, she starred in the film Cuck (2019) and had a main role in Hope For The Holidays (2020) on Amazon Prime Video.

Other Activities and Advocacy

Beyond acting, Sally Kirkland was also a health advocate. She worked to support people with certain health concerns. She also founded an institute in 1998 to help people with specific health conditions. Sally was also an ordained minister in the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness.

Sally Kirkland was also a talented painter. She was a respected acting teacher, and some of her students became very famous. These included Sandra Bullock, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, and Roseanne Barr.

Later Life and Passing

In her later years, Sally Kirkland faced health challenges. She passed away in Palm Springs, California, on November 11, 2025, at the age of 84. She had entered hospice care two days before her passing.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Sally Kirkland para niños