Actress Kelly Curtis Dies at 69

Actress Kelly Curtis, known for roles in film and television and the older sister of actress Jamie Lee Curtis, has died at the age of 69. Multiple sources reported her death on Saturday. Jamie Lee Curtis announced her sister's death via social media posts on Facebook and Instagram. No cause of death was provided.

Background and Early Life

Kelly Lee Curtis was born on June 17, 1956, in Santa Monica, California. She was the eldest child of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. She studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and graduated from Skidmore College in 1978 with a degree in business, after which she briefly worked as a stockbroker.

Her onscreen debut occurred as a child in the 1958 film The Vikings, which starred her parents.

Career

Curtis appeared in a small role alongside her sister Jamie Lee in the 1983 comedy Trading Places. Her other film credits include Magic Sticks (1987), The Devil's Daughter (1991), Mixed Blessings (1998), and the television movie Thanksgiving Day (1990). She also worked as an assistant on the films Freaky Friday, Christmas With the Kranks, and You Again.

Curtis played Lieutenant Carolyn Plummer in the first season of UPN's The Sentinel (1996-1999). She also guest-starred in a number of television series, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Equalizer (also reported as The Equaliser), Hunter, Kojak, Silk Stalkings, LateLine, and Judging Amy.

Curtis directed the documentaries Marby Jets Are Go (2018) and Curling in Stanley (2019).

Survivors

Reports on survivors are conflicting. Some sources state she is survived by her husband, playwright Scott Morfee. Other sources list her survivors as her husband John Marsh, brother-in-law Christopher Guest, and half-siblings Alexandra, Allegra, Ben, and Nicholas.