What was Sally Kirkland's cause of death? Oscar-nominated actor dies at 84
Sally Kirkland, Oscar-nominated actress known for her role in Anna, passes away at 84 after complications from falls and infections.
Hollywood star Sally Kirkland, who entered hospice care in Palm Springs following multiple significant falls and two life-threatening infections, died at 84. She was nominated for Best Actress at the 1988 Oscars for her lead role in the indie film Anna.

Michael Greene, her representative, informed TMZ that she died at 1:50 a.m. on Tuesday, and “will be deeply missed.” The announcement follows her hospitalization and hospice placement over the weekend.
Sally Kirkland dies: What was her cause of death?
Kirkland had been fighting dementia for the past year and she recently experienced a serious fall in the shower that left her with broken ribs and a foot injury, as per a GoFundMe page created by her friends and former students to help with Kirkland's care.
According to the page, she had been dealing with “life-threatening infections” and was “resting comfortably” after entering hospice care.
Who was Sally Kirkland? A look at her career
Originally from New York City, Kirkland started her acting career in the 1960s and eventually rose to prominence as one of Hollywood's most enduring actors.
Her breakthrough performance was in the 1987 film Anna, for which she won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, but Cher's Moonstruck performance won it.
She was seen in several movies in her six-decade career, including JFK, The Sting, Private Benjamin, and Bruce Almighty.
Kirkland’s IMDb page showcases five unpublished projects, including Sallywood, a semi-autobiographical film set for digital distribution this Friday.
Meanwhile, several tributes poured in for Kirkland, with one person writing on X: “Devastated to hear of Sally Kirkland's passing. She was an indelible character actor and red carpet icon who was never anything short of memorable. Her awards season campaign for ANNA, a powerhouse performance all should see, will always be the greatest.”
ABOUT THE AUTHORShweta KukretiShweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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