Hollywood Legend Enters Hospice Care
Acclaimed actor Sally Kirkland, an Oscar nominee famed for her role in the indie drama Anna, has been moved into hospice care. The 84-year-old screen icon is facing a significant health crisis, having suffered multiple serious falls and two life-threatening infections over the past year, all while living with dementia.
A Devastating Series of Health Setbacks
Her representative, Michael Greene, confirmed to TMZ that Kirkland is receiving hospice care at a hospital in Palm Springs, California. The actor's health has severely declined following a series of accidents. She fractured four bones in her neck, her right wrist, and her left hip in various falls. During her recovery, she then developed two separate, dangerous infections.
This combination of injuries and illness required extensive hospitalisation and rehabilitation, far exceeding the 100 days of coverage provided by her insurance. The financial strain has been immense, leading her friends to launch a GoFundMe campaign last November to help with her accumulating medical bills.
Financial Strain and Industry Insurance Changes
The fundraising page highlights a critical issue affecting many older actors. It states that in 2021, the actors' union SAG-AFTRA cancelled the supplement insurance for members over 65, which acted as their Medigap coverage. The transition to a new policy was described as chaotic and confusing, leaving Kirkland with extensive out-of-pocket costs that have now exceeded her savings and monthly pension income.
An update from the GoFundMe organiser on 7 November shared that Kirkland is now in hospice and "is resting comfortably." The message added, "Thank you for all your love and support. Sally is grateful for your kindness and love. Please hold and send the light for Sally."
Kirkland's career spans over six decades and includes more than 250 film and television roles. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and won a Golden Globe for her leading role in 1987's Anna. Her other notable works include The Sting, Bruce Almighty, and the series Valley of the Dolls. She was also a notable figure in the New York art scene as a former member of Andy Warhol's The Factory.
