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Hollywood is mourning the loss of actress Kelly Curtis, the older sister of Jamie Lee Curtis and the eldest daughter of screen legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. Kelly Curtis died peacefully on Saturday at the age of 69.
The heartbreaking news was shared by Jamie Lee Curtis in an emotional social media tribute that celebrated not only her sister’s career, but the deep bond they shared throughout their lives.
“A warm aloha to my older sister, Kelly Lee Curtis. She passed away this morning. In her home. In nature. At peace,” Jamie Lee wrote.
“She was my first friend and lifelong confidant. She was jaw droppingly beautiful, and a talented actress.”
Born in Santa Monica in 1956, Kelly Curtis was Hollywood royalty from the start. She made her screen debut as an infant in the 1958 epic The Vikings, starring her famous parents.
While her younger sister Jamie Lee would later become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, Kelly quietly built a career of her own in film, television, and later documentary filmmaking.
Many fans remember her role alongside Jamie Lee in the 1983 comedy Trading Places. She also appeared in projects including Magic Sticks, The Devil’s Daughter, False Arrest, and the television movie Thanksgiving Day. On the small screen, she guest-starred in series such as The Equalizer, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Hunter, Silk Stalkings, Judging Amy, and The Sentinel, where she played Lieutenant Carolyn Plummer.
But according to Jamie Lee, Kelly’s greatest legacy wasn’t found on a movie set.
“She played a mean game of hearts, collected turtles, loved her family, nature, music, thrifting, travel, Facebook, and Pokémon Go. She was proud of her Danish roots and Hungarian Jewish ancestry and was a devoted American patriot.”