Jamie Lee Curtis is mourning the loss of her older sister, Kelly Lee Curtis.
The Oscar-winning actress shared the heartbreaking news with fans in an emotional Instagram post on Saturday, May 30, revealing that Kelly died peacefully earlier that morning at age 69.
Jamie Lee’s Touching Tribute
“A warm aloha to my older sister, Kelly Lee Curtis. She passed away this morning. In her home. In nature. At peace,” Jamie Lee wrote alongside a series of photos honoring her sister’s life.
The actress, 67, went on to remember Kelly not only as family, but as one of the most important people in her life.
“She was my first friend and lifelong confidant,” Jamie Lee continued. “She was jaw droppingly beautiful, and a talented actress.”
The touching tribute painted a vivid picture of Kelly’s personality and passions, highlighting the many things that made her unique.
“She played a mean game of hearts, collected turtles, loved her family, nature, music, thrifting, travel, Facebook, and Pokémon Go,” Jamie Lee shared. “She was proud of her Danish roots and Hungarian Jewish ancestry and was a devoted American patriot.”
Jamie Lee also reflected on the small traditions and memories that defined their relationship, including Kelly’s beloved Christmas cookies — which earned her a special nickname within the family.
“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,” she wrote.
Ending the tribute with a heartfelt farewell, Jamie Lee referenced the blessing Kelly often used when signing off messages.
“Kelly always signed off any message or fare thee well with a Hungarian blessing…” she explained. “Isten Veled, God is with you.”
“Isten Veled to my sister of the sun and the moon, my Tai,” Jamie Lee concluded. “I’ll see you on down the line.”
Fans React to the Touching Post
Fans and friends quickly flooded the comments section with messages of love and condolences after the deeply personal post.
“May her memory always be a blessing,” one person wrote.
Another shared, “Sending love and prayers to your family.”
Others reflected on Kelly’s warmth and spirit, with one commenter recalling a personal memory from high school.
“I’m so terribly sad to see this and so sorry for your loss,” the person wrote. “She joined our high school class senior year, and it was as if she’d stepped off a meteorite. Walked in beauty, like the night. Quoted lyrics from Tumbleweed Connection on her senior page in our yearbook. Into our NYC world, she was the coolest breeze of fresh air ..and always to be remembered.”
Another supporter commented, “Oh no honey I am so sorry for your family’s loss beyond sending you love and light.”
Kelly Lee Curtis was also an actress and came from one of Hollywood’s most iconic families.
She was the daughter of legendary actors Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, and sister to Jamie Lee Curtis.
While Jamie Lee became a household name through films like “Halloween” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Kelly also built a career in entertainment.
She appeared alongside her younger sister in a small role in the 1983 comedy “Trading Places.”
Kelly later starred in the 1987 German comedy “Magic Sticks” and the 1991 Italian horror film “The Devil’s Daughter,” which was co-written and produced by filmmaker Dario Argento.
As Jamie Lee grieves the loss of her “first friend,” fans continue to rally around the actress with messages of support during the difficult time.
