Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland Dies At 84 After Entering Hospice

Hollywood veteran Sally Kirkland has taken her final breath after a long battle to raise funds for her medical bills.

The entertainer's illustrious career spanned over five decades, starting off as a model before finding fame as an actress. Unfortunately, her dementia diagnosis brought her achievements to a halt before her medical bills became too much for her finances to bear.

Fans became aware of Sally Kirkland's dire situation after her pals launched a GoFundMe page, seeking donations to help save the actress's life. They had nearly reached their $65,000 target when news of Kirkland's death broke.

According to new reports, Kirkland recently took her final breath at 84, just days after entering hospice care at a hospital in Palm Springs. She was placed in hospice over the weekend, an update that came a year after her rep, Michael Greene, confirmed she had dementia.

TMZ broke the news of Kirkland's death, reporting that she was survived by her godson, filmmaker Coty Galloway (Baily), three cousins, Brookie, Katherine, and Tina Kirkland, and several close friends.

Some of these close pals launched a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Kirkland's medical bills before her passing. Paige Dylan, Coty Galloway, and Mel England penned a touching statement about their love for Kirkland and why they needed to raise $65,000 for her medical bills.

"Every donation, no matter the size, will help bring her one step closer to recovery and, we hope, back to doing what she loves most—acting," they wrote.

On October 2, the GoFundMe organizers updated fans about Kirkland's health, revealing her situation had taken a turn for the worse after she suffered a fall in the shower. They explained that the accident occurred when the TV personality was left unattended, resulting in severe injuries.

Kirkland reportedly injured her ribs and foot, along with cuts and bruises. Her close pals noted that she was "receiving 24/7 care in a specialized facility that is providing wonderful safety and care." They added that they would continue to raise money to cover her medical bills and thanked fans for their support.

On November 9, Kirkland's close pals confirmed that she was placed in hospice and "resting comfortably." Once again, they thanked fans for their love and support, imploring them to pray for Kirkland, whose health struggles were challenging to say the least.

The Blast covered more on Kirkland's health struggles, recently reporting that her representative, Greene, claimed her condition had worsened and he was rushing to be at her side. "She will not go until I'm holding her hand," he said.

In his absence, Greene noted that Kirkland was surrounded by loved ones, including her godson. The rep's words about the entertainer's struggles matched the statement Kirkland's close pals penned on her GoFundMe page, revealing the severity of her medical condition.

"This past year, Sally fractured four bones in her neck, right wrist, and her left hip," the actress's pals claimed. They added that her situation worsened due to a lack of proper medical care as she "developed two separate life-threatening infections" amid her recovery from the fractures.

Kirkland's friends implored fans for donations to cover her medical expenses because her extensive hospitalizations and rehabilitation fees could not be covered beyond the 100 days stipulated in her insurance plan.

Additionally, Kirkland was affected by the 2021 cancellation of SAG-AFTRA's supplement insurance for members over the age of 65. The Medigap policy change left Kirkland with extensive out-of-pocket costs that exceeded her savings and monthly pension income.

The GoFundMe page also claimed that Kirkland's fortune was significantly impacted by bad advice from a financial advisor-business manager in 2007. She reportedly lost the bulk of her investments and the money she made during the peak of her career between 1988 and 1998.

Kirkland rose to fame as a model thanks to her mother, also named Sally Kirkland, who was formerly the fashion editor of Life magazine and Vogue. The TV personality once reflected on her modelling career, noting she became a model because of her mom rather than her passion.

“I had this whole socialite modeling career with my mother, not because I really wanted to, because I was painfully shy, but she just kept putting me in these situations where I was in front of the camera,” Kirkland revealed in an interview, per Soap Central.

The late entertainer finally discovered the right path for her when she became an actress. Kirkland credited Shelley Winters for taking her under her wing and grooming her into becoming a star. She also confessed that her love for Marilyn Monroe and Bob Dylan inspired her acting career. 

Rest in peace, Sally Kirkland.