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Actress Kelly Curtis, sister of Jamie Lee Curtis, has passed away at the age of 69. Jamie Lee Curtis shared the news on Saturday, May 30, revealing that Kelly died peacefully at her home in Bellevue, Idaho. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Kelly Curtis, daughter of Hollywood legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, followed in her parents’ footsteps with a steady acting career spanning several decades. She appeared alongside Jamie Lee in the 1983 film Trading Places and took on roles in various TV shows and films, including a recurring part in the 1996 series The Sentinel and appearances in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Judging Amy.
In addition to acting, Kelly directed the 2018 documentary Marby Jets Are Go, which focused on an Australian high school track team. She also assisted Jamie Lee on several of her films such as Freaky Friday (2003) and Christmas With the Kranks (2004).
Jamie Lee Curtis honored her sister with a heartfelt Instagram tribute, describing Kelly as her “first friend and lifelong confidant,” and highlighting her many passions-from collecting turtles and playing hearts to her love of nature, music, and travel. She fondly recalled Kelly’s unique style and generosity, as well as her famous holiday cookies that earned her the nickname “Auntie Cookie.” Jamie Lee closed her message with a Hungarian blessing, reflecting Kelly’s pride in her heritage.
Born in Santa Monica in 1956, Kelly began her screen career as a child, appearing alongside her famous parents in The Vikings (1958). She later earned a business degree before returning to her passion for acting, studying at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and joining The Actors Studio. Kelly also had notable roles in international films, including the 1987 German comedy Magic Sticks and the 1991 Italian horror movie The Devil’s Daughter.
Kelly is survived by her husband, John Marsh, a filmmaker and professor, as well as her sister Jamie Lee, brother-in-law Christopher Guest, and half-siblings Alexandra, Allegra, Ben, and the late Nicholas Curtis.
The Curtis family has long been a fixture in Hollywood history. Tony Curtis, an Oscar-nominated actor known for classics like Some Like It Hot, passed away in 2010.
Janet Leigh, famed for her iconic role in Psycho, died in 2004. Jamie Lee Curtis continues to carry the family legacy, having recently won an Oscar for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).
Kelly and her father also shared a philanthropic side, notably working together to restore the historic Dohàny Street Synagogue in Budapest through the Emanuel Foundation, honoring Tony Curtis’s father.
The Curtis family and fans alike mourn the loss of Kelly Curtis, remembering her not only for her contributions to film and television but for her warmth, creativity, and enduring spirit.