Jamie Lee Curtis is mourning the death of her older sister, Kelly Lee Curtis.
Kelly, an actress and the eldest daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, died Saturday, May 30, at her California home. She was 69. Jamie Lee Curtis announced the news in an Instagram tribute, writing that her sister died “at peace” in her home and in nature.
A cause of death has not been publicly shared, according to PEOPLE.
Jamie Lee Curtis Called Kelly Her “First Friend”
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Curtis described Kelly as her “first friend and lifelong confidant” in the tribute. She remembered her sister as beautiful, talented, opinionated, curious, stylish, and generous.
TMZ reported that Curtis also shared personal details about Kelly’s life, including her love of turtles, music, nature, travel, thrifting, family, and card games.
Curtis also remembered Kelly’s Christmas cookies and the Hungarian blessing she used when signing off messages. The post ended with “Isten Veled,” which PEOPLE translated as “God is with you.”
Kelly Lee Curtis Had Her Own Acting Career
Kelly was part of one of Hollywood’s most recognizable families, but she also worked onscreen herself. PEOPLE noted that she appeared in The Vikings and Trading Places, the latter alongside Jamie Lee Curtis.
E! News reported that Kelly’s television credits included The Equalizer, Hunter, Silk Stalkings, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and The Sentinel.
She also worked behind the scenes as Jamie Lee Curtis’ assistant on several projects, according to PEOPLE.
She Was the Daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh
Kelly was the elder daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, two actors whose careers remain tied to classic Hollywood. Tony Curtis starred in films including Some Like It Hot, while Janet Leigh’s role in Psycho became one of the most famous performances in horror history.
Kelly was Jamie Lee Curtis’ only full sibling. PEOPLE reported that she is survived by her husband, Scott Morfee.
The tribute kept the focus on Kelly as a sister, wife, actress, and family member rather than only as part of a famous Hollywood lineage. Jamie Lee Curtis’ post described a private loss through the details of a life she knew closely.