Jamie Lee Curtis announces death of sister Kelly Curtis at 69

Hollywood actress Jamie Lee Curtis is mourning the loss of her older sister, actress and filmmaker Kelly Curtis, who died Saturday at the age of 69.

Curtis shared the news in a deeply personal social media tribute, revealing that her sister died peacefully at home.

“A warm aloha to my older sister, Kelly Lee Curtis. She passed away this morning. In her home. In nature. At peace,” Jamie Lee Curtis wrote. “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 grew up in one of Hollywood’s most recognizable families. She was the eldest daughter of actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh and the older sister of Jamie Lee Curtis.

Her first appearance on screen came as a child in the 1958 adventure film The Vikings, which starred both of her parents. Years later, she returned to acting and built a career that included film, television, and documentary work.

Many movie fans remember Kelly Curtis from the 1983 comedy Trading Places, where she appeared alongside her younger sister. Her acting credits also included Magic Sticks, The Devil’s Daughter, The Equalizer, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Judging Amy, and The Sentinel.

Jamie Lee Curtis used her tribute to describe the interests and routines that defined her sister away from cameras and film sets.

“She played a mean game of hearts, collected turtles, loved her family, nature, music, thrifting, travel, Facebook, and Pokémon Go,” she wrote. “She was proud of her Danish roots and Hungarian Jewish ancestry and was a devoted American patriot.”

The actress said Kelly would be remembered for her generosity, curiosity, strong opinions, and distinctive personality. Family members knew her by another nickname as well.

“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.”

In a separate reflection shared after her sister’s death, Jamie Lee Curtis spoke about the complicated relationship the two experienced growing up after their parents divorced. She wrote that they drifted apart for years before reconnecting around the time of her 1984 wedding to actor Christopher Guest.

“But she came back to be with me at my wedding and never really left again,” Curtis wrote.

Kelly later became a close part of Jamie Lee Curtis’ household and professional life, working alongside her on projects including Freaky Friday and Christmas with the Kranks.

Away from acting, Kelly Curtis directed documentaries including Marby Jets Are Go and Curling in Stanley, projects that reflected her interest in everyday people and communities.

No cause of death has been publicly announced.

Jamie Lee Curtis ended her tribute with a farewell that had become her sister’s signature sign off.

According to Curtis, Kelly often closed messages with the Hungarian phrase “Isten Veled,” meaning “God is with you.”

“Isten Veled to my sister of the sun and the moon, my Tai. I’ll see you on down the line.”