Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland Hospitalized

After decades in Hollywood, the actress and producer faces a quiet, vulnerable moment, surrounded by loved ones and navigating a time of fragility and care.

Golden Globe-winning actress Sally Kirkland, now 83, is receiving care in a Palm Springs hospital, surrounded by loved ones. By her side is Cody Galloway, her longtime friend and former student.

Her representative, Michael Greene, on November 9, 2025, shared that he was traveling from New York to be with her amid serious health concerns.

The representative confirmed that Kirkland has been living with dementia for the past year, and her condition recently required more advanced medical care.

Multiple Injuries and Life-Threatening Infections

Friends of Kirkland — Paige Dylan, Coty Galloway, and Mel England — organized a GoFundMe campaign on November 18, 2024, to raise funds and provide updates on her health challenges. So far, the campaign has raised $59,466. In recent months, the actress suffered fractures to her neck, wrist, and hip, along with two life-threatening infections during her recovery.

The latest update from the campaign reads, “Thank you for all your love and support. Sally is grateful for your kindness and love. Sally is on hospice now and is resting comfortably. Please hold and send the light for Sally.”

According to the campaign, these challenges have led to extensive hospitalizations and rehabilitation beyond the 100 days insurance will cover. The fundraising appeal also noted a significant setback in her insurance coverage.

The organizers explained that when SAG-AFTRA discontinued supplemental insurance for members over 65 in 2021, Kirkland was left shouldering medical expenses far beyond what her savings and monthly pension could cover.

A Career Full of Triumph and Tragedy

Kirkland's friends described her as a "limitless source of generosity, kindness, and unwavering spirit," while revealing the toll financial missteps have taken on her well-being:

"While Sally has had a successful career as a working actor, due to bad advice from a financial advisor-business manager in 2007 during the market crash Sally lost the bulk of her investments and the money she made during the peak of her career."

Despite the severe challenges she now faces, her inner circle remains hopeful. "With the right medical support, we know she has a strong chance of overcoming this setback and returning to the work she loves," her friends wrote.

A Life of Contrasts and Accomplishments

Born into a mainline Philadelphia family, Kirkland's life has been a study in contrasts. She became a sex symbol, nearly pursued a spiritual path as a swami, and performed Shakespeare and nude scenes off Broadway.

She has also challenged herself to survive in modest circumstances, living in a $68-a-month apartment next to a sanitation department despite her earlier life of privilege.

Despite modest living conditions, she has built a career that commands respect and admiration.

As a lifelong member of the Actors Studio, Kirkland's name is etched across Hollywood history. Over the course of her career, she brought to life more than 300 characters on stage and screen, from classics like "The Sting" and "JFK" to comedies and dramas including "Private Benjamin," "EDtv," "Bruce Almighty," "Revenge," and "Best of the Best."

Her portrayal in "Anna" earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe, and an Independent Spirit Award in 1988, cementing her place among Hollywood's most respected performers.

Champion of Art and the LGBTQ+ Community

Kirkland's legacy extends far beyond the screen. In a 2024 interview with Contrast Magazine, she reflected on her longstanding ties to the LGBTQ+ community. She said:

"I've always felt very protected by the gay community. I used to live in Santa Monica, and [one night] I woke up and a guy was in bed with me, it was horrifying – I thought he was going to rape or kill me. My manager at the time, Carl Parsons [who was gay], said 'you're getting out of here within 24 hours.'"

The actress added that she has married many gay couples, both in real life and on screen.

On a site associated with her name, her lifelong dedication to the arts and teaching is highlighted. Beyond her screen work, she has cultivated a life as a painter, a yoga instructor, and an ordained minister within the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness. She blends artistry and spirituality in her daily practice.

She has taught acting and emotional recall workshops nationwide and has coached major stars, including Robert Redford, Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand, and Sandra Bullock.

Even in her later years, Kirkland's creative drive remained boundless. She once expressed her dream of having a studio large enough to fully immerse herself in her art, imagining a space where she could throw paint at the walls and watch it form new creations.

When artist Pasqual Bettio offered her a slightly smaller space in Park La Brea, she eagerly accepted the opportunity. Reflecting on her spiritual beliefs, she once said, "Laughter is the quickest way to God. My addiction is to God."

Even as she battles health challenges in her 80s, Kirkland's remarkable spirit continues to shine through. Surrounded by friends and loved ones, the Golden Globe winner is facing this chapter with the same courage and grace that have defined her decades in the entertainment industry.