Kelly Curtis, Actress and Sister of Jamie Lee Curtis, Dies at 69

Kelly Curtis, an American actress known for her roles in Trading Places and the television series The Sentinel, has died at the age of 69. Her passing on May 30 was confirmed by her sister, Jamie Lee Curtis, who shared a heartfelt tribute to her sibling on social media.

“A warm aloha to my older sister, Kelly Lee Curtis,” Jamie wrote in her Instagram post. “She passed away this morning. In her home. In nature. At peace. She was my first friend and lifelong confidant. She was jaw-droppingly beautiful and a talented actress.”

Born on June 17, 1956, in Santa Monica, California, Kelly Curtis was the daughter of iconic actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. While she began her career as a child with an uncredited role in the 1958 film The Vikings, she initially pursued a different path, graduating from Skidmore College with a business degree in 1972 and working as a stockbroker before returning to her artistic roots at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Curtis built a steady career in film and television. She appeared alongside her sister in the 1983 classic Trading Places and took on lead roles in projects such as the Italian horror film The Devil’s Daughter. Her television credits included recurring work on The Sentinel and guest appearances on popular series like The Equalizer, Hunter, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

In her later years, Curtis shifted her focus behind the camera, working as a production assistant on several of her sister’s films, including Freaky Friday and You Again. She also explored documentary filmmaking, directing Marby Jets Are Go in 2018 and Curling in Stanley in 2019.

Jamie Lee Curtis remembered her sister not just for her professional contributions, but for her vibrant personality and diverse interests. “She 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,” Jamie added. “Isten Veled to my sister of the sun and the moon, my Tai. I’ll see you on down the line.”