Hollywood Mourns as Sally Kirkland Enters Hospice Amid Dementia Battle

Veteran actress Sally Kirkland, a beloved figure of stage and screen for more than six decades, has entered hospice care as she continues her battle with dementia.

Kirkland, 84, was moved to a hospital in Palm Springs, California, where she is now receiving end-of-life care, her longtime representative Michael Greene confirmed to TMZ and Variety on Sunday.

The Oscar-nominated star is reportedly surrounded by close friends and loved ones, including her devoted former acting student Cody Galloway, who remains by her side. “She’s resting comfortably and feeling the love from everyone who has supported her throughout this journey,” Greene shared.

A message posted Friday on Kirkland’s official GoFundMe page — originally launched in November 2024 to help with mounting medical expenses — confirmed the news:

“Sally is on hospice now and is resting comfortably. Thank you for all your love and support. Please hold and send the light for Sally.”

As of Monday morning, the campaign had raised more than $58,900 of its $65,000 goal, reflecting the deep affection and admiration that Kirkland’s fans and peers continue to feel for her (People).

---

A Hollywood Survivor

Kirkland’s path through Hollywood has been nothing short of extraordinary. Born in New York City in 1941, she began her career as a model before transitioning into acting during the 1960s, quickly becoming a familiar face in New York’s vibrant Off-Broadway scene.

She was part of Andy Warhol’s Factory circle, appearing in several avant-garde projects before carving out her own identity as a fiercely independent artist. Her fearlessness and vulnerability both on and off screen made her a standout performer during an era defined by experimentation and rebellion.

Kirkland went on to appear in more than 250 film and television roles, ranging from Hollywood blockbusters like Bruce Almighty (2003) to cult favorites such as Best of the Best (1989) and Oliver Stone’s JFK (1991).

However, it was her career-defining performance in the 1987 indie drama Anna that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, along with a Golden Globe win and an Independent Spirit Award. The film, in which she played a Czech actress struggling to survive in New York after fleeing her homeland, remains one of the decade’s most powerful portrayals of artistic resilience.

Film critic Roger Ebert once described her performance as “unflinching and deeply human,” adding that Kirkland “gave the kind of performance that defines a lifetime in cinema” (Chicago Sun-Times).

---

Struggles Behind the Spotlight

Despite her remarkable career, Kirkland faced numerous personal challenges in recent years. According to her GoFundMe page, she suffered a series of severe injuries over the past year — including four fractured neck bones, a broken wrist, and a shattered hip — followed by two life-threatening infections that required long-term hospitalization.

While recovering in 2024, Kirkland reportedly suffered another fall that resulted in broken ribs and multiple bruises, leaving her in need of 24-hour professional care. “Sally has been incredibly brave,” organizers of the fundraiser wrote. “Her health continues to struggle, but her spirit remains strong.”

The actress’s declining condition was further complicated by her battle with dementia, which has progressively affected her memory and independence. Still, friends say her sense of humor and love for connection never faded.

“She still greets people with warmth and wit,” one close friend told The Hollywood Reporter. “Even when words are difficult, you can feel the spark that made her such a powerful actress.”

---

A Lasting Legacy

Kirkland’s influence reaches far beyond her award nominations. As an acting teacher and mentor, she inspired generations of performers through her Los Angeles-based acting workshops, encouraging authenticity and emotional truth above all else.

“She always told her students to live their truth — both in art and in life,” said Galloway, her friend and former student. “That’s how she lived hers.”

Over the years, Kirkland became a fixture at Hollywood events, often recognized for her flamboyant style and unapologetic candor. She remained an outspoken advocate for women’s empowerment and mental health awareness, causes close to her heart.

In 2018, she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Los Angeles Film Awards, celebrating her contributions to independent cinema and her pioneering spirit.

Today, as tributes pour in across social media, fans and colleagues alike are sharing memories of a woman who embodied both grace and grit.

As The Guardian once noted in a retrospective on her career, “Sally Kirkland was never afraid to break the rules — and Hollywood was better for it.”

---

Sources: Variety, People, The Hollywood Reporter, The Guardian, Chicago Sun-Times, TMZ