Hollywood is mourning the loss of Kelly Curtis, the accomplished actress and sister of Jamie Lee Curtis. She passed away on May 30 at age 69, with Rolling Stone first reporting the news.
Jamie Lee Curtis confirmed her sister's death with an Instagram tribute on Saturday morning, revealing that Kelly "passed away this morning. In her home. In nature. At peace."
Jamie celebrated her older sister's legacy. "She was my first friend and lifelong confidant," Jamie wrote. "She was jaw droppingly beautiful, and a talented actress."
Kelly had eclectic interests. "She played a mean game of hearts, collected turtles, loved her family, nature, music, thrifting, travel, Facebook, and Pokémon Go," Jamie added.
Born June 17, 1956, in Santa Monica, Kelly was the daughter of Oscar-nominees Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. She made her uncredited onscreen debut in 1958's The Vikings, which featured both her parents. She graduated from Skidmore College with a business degree in 1972 and initially worked as a stockbroker before studying at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.
In the 1980s, Kelly became an actress. She appeared alongside her sister in 1983's Trading Places and landed recurring roles on TV series including The Sentinel, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Hunter. She also starred in the 1991 Italian horror film The Devil's Daughter, co-written and produced by director Dario Argento.
Jamie concluded her tribute with a particularly sweet detail: Kelly 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."
A cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Kelly is survived by her family, including her sister Jamie Lee Curtis.
