Biography for
Sally Kirkland (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

31 October 1941, New York City, New York, USA

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

Feisty, hard-working, famously liberal, with the trademark peroxide blonde hair, actress Sally Kirkland has certainly made an indelible mark on Hollywood history. Born in New York City, her mother was the fashion editor at Vogue magazine. Sally began her career on the off-Broadway circuit and trained under 'Lee Strasberg (I)' in the 1960s. It was not long before she made her transition into Hollywood movies, gaining more recognizable roles as the decade progressed. Sally's first role in a high profile film came in The Sting (1973), playing the role of Crystal. Throughout the 1970s, Sally remained very busy in a variety of roles in movies such as the made for television The Kansas City Massacre (1975) (TV), Breakheart Pass (1975) and Private Benjamin (1980).

Her work in the 1980s was mainly seen in the form of B class exploitation movies including the low-budget slasher movies Fatal Games (1984), Paint It Black (1989) and High Stakes (1989) opposite Kathy Bates. Sally appeared in the martial arts drama Best of the Best (1989) opposite Eric Roberts and James Earl Jones. There were also roles in TV soap opera, "General Hospital" (1963) in 1982, and "Falcon Crest" (1981) in 1983. Amidst all of this, Sally managed to garner critical & commercial acclaim and an Oscar nomination for her role as a struggling Czech has-been actress in Anna (1987). The New York set drama proved an exceptional vehicle for Sally's talent. Although she did not win the Academy Award, the role is often remembered as Sally's best and most challenging role to date.

In the 1990s, Sally appeared in many films. She spent more time on television in TV movies or guest appearances, and appeared in many feature films as well. The Haunted (1991) (TV) is worth mentioning for featuring Sally in a central role based on actual events. She appeared opposite Jeffrey DeMunn and Cassie Yates in the film chronicling a decade of a family's terror at the hands of poltergeists. She also surprised many with her role in the erotic thriller In the Heat of Passion (1992) playing a wealthy housewife who strips down for some passionate scenes with Jsu Garcia . In the same vein, Sally teamed up with erotic thriller connoisseur Andrew Stevens for Double Threat (1993) playing a washed-up actress involved with a double crossing younger husband. Sally also appeared in a small role in the major feature JFK (1991). Her television guest appearances include _"Murder, She Wrote" (1984)_ in 1995, "The Nanny" (1993) in 1996 and "Felicity" (1998) in 1999. She appeared in the hallmark soap opera "Days of Our Lives" (1965) for a few months in 1999. Roles in more high profile films included Excess Baggage (1997), Edtv (1999) and opposite Peter Gallager in a TV adaptation of Aldous Huxley 's _Brave New World (TV)(1998)_ playing a scatty aging mother with an addictive personality.

From 2000 onward, Sally's roles in film changed noticeably. She became involved in many independent movies on the film festival circuit. Notable films include the short movie Audit (2001), The Rose Technique (2002), Mango Kiss (2004) and Coffee Date (2006). Many of her appearances highlighted her liberal attitude towards contemporary social issues. Notably, Sally appeared opposite the late Robert Urich in his last movie Night of the Wolf (2002) (TV). Her deep involvement with the Church of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness has been highlighted in the movie Spiritual Warriors (2007), and as an ordained minister for this church, she joined the late Shelley Winters (her godmother) with her long time partner in marriage before her death in early 2006.

With more films on the horizon, Sally's involvement with independent cinema is only at the beginning. On general release soon will be Off the Black (2006), Sally's latest independent offering. Also an artist, she has her own gallery in Los Angeles displaying her unique work. She resides in Los Angeles with her beloved dog Shiva. Looking great for a woman now in her 60s, Sally still sports her trademark blonde hair, and after over 120 film appearances, shows no sign of letting up.

IMDb Mini Biography By: anonymous

Trivia

Goddaughter of Shelley Winters.

She was the first actress to appear nude in a legitimate stage play, in the 1968 Off-Broadway premiere of Sweet Eros by Terrence McNally.

Daughter and namesake of fashion editor Sally Kirkland. Her mother was fashion editor at first Vogue and later Life magazines. She was the only fashion editor at Life Magazine during its history (1944 - 1969). She is legendary for putting Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Faye Dunaway and Jacqueline Kennedy on the magazine's cover, making them fashion icons.

In a TV interview, she reported that she used money from her role in Edtv (1999) to have her breast implants removed.

Began her career off-Broadway circa 1962.

Has received humanitarian awards including Blue Cross and the Crippled Children's Society.

An ordained minister in the Church of The Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, she teaches classes that combine drama, yoga and meditation.

Lifetime member of The Actor's Studio.

Measurements: 33-24-34 (as a starlet in 1969), 36DD-26-35 (after implants in 1986), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Famously appeared fully nude, whilst riding bareback astride a large hog to illustrate Tom O'Horgan's 1969 film Futz! (1969) on the cover of Al Goldstein's Screw magazine.

Friend of actress Lana Clarkson.

Turned down the role of Helen Buckman in Ron Howard 's film Parenthood (1989). 'Diane Wiest' was cast in the role and received an Academy Award nomination for her work in the film.

Personal Quotes

"I grew up in a house on 89th Street that was always full of these gorgeous models: Verushka, Ali MacGraw, Lauren Hutton, no matter what I did, I would be the ugly duckling. As a little girl I figured I'd have to be the most famous actress in the world..."

Salary

Edtv (1999)	$450,000.00
The Haunted (1991) (TV)	$250,000.00
The Sting (1973)	$80,000

Where Are They Now

(July 2008) Teaching Acting in West Hollywood, California and writing her memoirs.

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