Kelly Lee Curtis, the older sister of actor Jamie Lee Curtis, has died at the age of 69. The news was confirmed by Jamie Lee Curtis, who announced the death in an Instagram tribute.
According to the announcement, Kelly Lee Curtis died peacefully “in her home” on Saturday, though no specific cause of death was provided. She was a Santa Monica-born actor and director.
The late actress was the eldest daughter of Hollywood icons Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Her acting career began as an infant with a debut in the 1958 film “The Vikings,” which starred both of her parents. She went on to study business at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, but returned to the screen as an adult.
She secured roles on several television series, including “The Sentinel,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “The Equalizer,” “Hunter,” “Silk Stalkings,” “LateLine,” and “Judging Amy.” In addition to her television roles, Kelly Lee Curtis appeared in the 1983 comedy “Trading Places” and later worked as Jamie Lee Curtis’ assistant on the feature films “Freaky Friday,” “Christmas With the Kranks,” and “You Again.”
Her credits also extended behind the camera, where she directed the 2018 documentary “Marby Jets Are Go,” which focused on an Australian high school track team, and “The Night She Came Home,” an hourlong documentary featured on the “Halloween” DVD that chronicled her sister’s appearance at a horror convention in Indianapolis.
Following her death, Jamie Lee Curtis reflected on how their sibling dynamic changed as adults, pointing to her 1984 wedding as the major turning point. “My sister and I were close as children but also had that sibling competition for divorced parent’s attention and love,” she stated. “We were wildly different and lived apart for many years, but she came back to be with me at my wedding and never really left again.”
Recounting the night of December 17, 1984, the day before the ceremony, she shared: “In 1984 on December 17, in the evening before my wedding, my sister, Kelly, who was my maid of honor, came to my apartment and slept over. Our friend, Suzanne Tenner came and made a portrait of the sisters before I got married. She sent me this contact sheet today in condolence for the loss of my beautiful sister.”
In her tribute, Jamie Lee Curtis referred to Kelly Lee Curtis as her “first friend and lifelong confidant” who became an “integral part” of her “family structure.” “I miss her today but am buoyed by the knowledge that she is at peace,” she added. “She was jaw-droppingly beautiful and a talented actress … She will be remembered for her loving generosity, fierce opinions, endless curiosity, unique style, and her powdered, almond, crescent cookies at Christmas, hence her name, Auntie Cookie.”
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, and websites.
