Kelly Curtis, Actress and Sister of Jamie Lee Curtis, Dies at 69
Kelly Curtis, an actress and daughter of Hollywood icons Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, died Saturday at her home in Bellevue, Idaho, at age 69. She was the older sister of Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis. The news was announced by Jamie Lee Curtis through a social media tribute, where she described Kelly as her first friend and lifelong confidant. Curtis appeared in the 1983 film Trading Places alongside her sister, played Lieutenant Carolyn Plummer in the action series The Sentinel, and had guest roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Equalizer, and other shows. She also worked as a production assistant on several of her sister's films and directed two documentaries, including Marby Jets Are Go in 2018. Her film credits included Magic Sticks and The Devil's Daughter. No cause of death has been announced. Curtis is survived by her sister, her second husband filmmaker John Marsh, and other family members.
Key facts
- Kelly Curtis died on May 30, 2026, at age 69 at her home in Bellevue, Idaho
- She was the elder sister of Jamie Lee Curtis and daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh
- Curtis played Lieutenant Carolyn Plummer on UPN's The Sentinel
- She appeared in the 1983 film Trading Places alongside her sister Jamie Lee Curtis
- Curtis worked as a production assistant on Freaky Friday, Christmas With the Kranks, and You Again
- She directed the 2018 documentary Marby Jets Are Go about an Australian high school track team
- Curtis appeared in guest roles on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Equalizer, Hunter, and Judging Amy
- She graduated from Skidmore College with a business degree in 1972 and later studied acting at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute
- No cause of death has been revealed
- Curtis is survived by her second husband John Marsh, a filmmaker and professor emeritus at College of Southern Nevada
Limits of this briefing
Cause of death was not revealed by family or media sources. Coverage is primarily entertainment-focused; limited information about Kelly Curtis's personal life beyond her professional accomplishments and her sister's tribute.
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter: Kelly Curtis, Actress and Sister of Jamie Lee Curtis, Dies at 69 Centre
- Variety: Kelly Curtis, 'The Sentinel' Actress and Sister of Jamie Lee Curtis, Dies at 69 Centre
- Rolling Stone: Kelly Curtis, Actress and Sister of Jamie Lee Curtis, Dead at 69 Centre
- FOX Local (FOX 11 Los Angeles): Kelly Curtis, actress and Jamie Lee Curtis' sister, dies at 69 Centre
- Deadline: Kelly Curtis Dies: Jamie Lee Curtis Mourns Actress Sister's Death At 69 Centre