Kelly Curtis, an actress and documentarian and the older sister of Oscar-winning Jamie Lee Curtis, died Saturday, May 30, at age 69, at home in nature. Jamie Lee Curtis remembered her as a lifelong friend, devoted patriot, and a woman whose creativity and Hung
Kelly Curtis died at home on Saturday, May 30, and her sister Jamie Lee Curtis marked the loss with a warm, personal tribute that mixed grief with gratitude.
Jamie Lee Curtis. 67. shared the news on Instagram. writing that she was dedicating a “warm aloha to my older sister. ” who she said died “in nature. At peace.” In the post’s caption. Jamie described Kelly as her “first friend and lifelong confidant. ” adding that she was “jaw droppingly beautiful” and “a talented actress.” She recalled how Kelly “played a mean game of hearts. ” “collected turtles. ” and loved her family. nature. music. thrifting. travel. Facebook. and Pokémon Go.
Jamie Lee Curtis also framed Kelly as both family anchor and proud American identity. She called Kelly a “devoted American patriot. ” and said she was proud of Kelly’s Danish roots and Hungarian Jewish ancestry. Jamie wrote that Kelly would be remembered for “loving generosity. fierce opinions. endless curiosity. unique style. ” and her “powdered. almond. crescent cookies at Christmas. ” a tradition she said gave Kelly her name. “Auntie Cookie.”.
The tribute carried a signature ritual of affection and faith. Jamie said Kelly “always signed off any message or fare thee well with a Hungarian blessing. ” writing: “Isten Veled. God is with you.” Jamie added. “Isten Veled to my sister of the sun and the moon. my Tai. I’ll see you on down the line.”.
Kelly Curtis acted alongside Jamie early on, including in a 1983 film. Kelly Lee Curtis was born in Santa Monica. California. on June 17. 1956. the first daughter of “Spartacus” actor Tony Curtis and “Psycho” star Janet Leigh. In her first year of life, she made an on-screen debut in “The Vikings,” a 1956 action-adventure film starring her parents.
Her path took a practical turn before it led back to performance. In 1972. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. New York. and worked as a stockbroker before pursuing acting. She practiced at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute and later appeared in several movies.
Kelly had a small role in 1983’s comedy film “Trading Places,” where Jamie Lee co-starred. She also starred in the German comedy movie “Magic Sticks” in 1987 and appeared in the 1991 Italian horror film “The Devil’s Daughter.”
On television, she played Lt. Carolyn Plummer on the first season of the ’90s crime thriller series “The Sentinel.” Her TV credits also included guest roles on “Judging Amy,” “The Equalizer,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and “Silk Stalkings,” among others.
Later, Kelly moved behind the camera as a documentarian and assistant. She directed the 2018 documentary “Marby Jets Are Go,” chronicling an Australian high school track team. She also supported Jamie Lee Curtis on set as an assistant on several Jamie Lee movies. including 2003’s “Freaky Friday. ” 2004’s “Christmas With the Kranks. ” and 2010’s “You Again.”.
The family story behind the screen is part of Kelly’s history. Tony Curtis and Leigh married in 1951, welcomed Jamie Lee in 1958, and divorced in 1962. Leigh later married financier Robert Brandt and stayed with him until she died in 2004 at 77. Brandt died in 2009 at 82, and Tony Curtis died in 2010 at 85.
Now, after the Saturday announcement, the focus is on what Jamie Lee Curtis said best: that Kelly was more than a sister or performer—she was a constant presence, full of humor, curiosity, and a distinct way of ending messages that kept faith, family, and love close.
Kelly Curtis Jamie Lee Curtis actress documentarian Trading Places The Sentinel Marby Jets Are Go Tony Curtis Janet Leigh
That’s so sad. 69 is way too young.
I didn’t even know Jamie Lee Curtis had a sister named Kelly Curtis until today. “In nature” sounds like she passed peacefully, but also like one of those weird wording things they do in articles. Anyway RIP.
Wait so she died at home in nature?? Like did she live in the woods or something? I saw a clip on TikTok saying it was “at peace” but I assumed it was a medical thing, not like… outdoors? Either way, Jamie’s tribute is really sweet.
Every time I hear Jamie Lee Curtis I think of Oscar stuff and somehow this story got mixed with the aunt cookie thing?? Powdered almond crescent cookies at Christmas, that’s the part I remember from the headline. Also the Pokémon Go mention threw me off, like why is that in a death article but ok. RIP Kelly.