Legendary actress Sally Kirkland, 84, has been placed in hospice at a Palm Springs hospital after a year-long struggle with dementia, her representative confirmed on Nov. 9, 2025. The announcement, published at 2:04 PM PST, says longtime friend and former student Cody Galloway is at her bedside while her representative Michael Greene is flying from JFK to join them. Friends running a GoFundMe reported life-threatening infections and a recent fall that injured her ribs and foot. A biographical film, “Sallywood,” is scheduled to debut on Amazon Prime on Nov. 10, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Sally Kirkland, age 84, is receiving hospice care at a hospital in Palm Springs after a year-long battle with dementia, confirmed Nov. 9, 2025.
- Her representative, Michael Greene, said he is traveling from JFK to be with Kirkland; friend and former student Cody Galloway is currently by her side.
- A GoFundMe created by friends cited life-threatening infections and a fall that caused rib and foot injuries along with cuts and bruises.
- Kirkland won a Golden Globe and was an Academy Award nominee for her lead role in the 1987 film Anna; other credits include JFK and Bruce Almighty.
- She was associated with Andy Warhol’s Factory and appeared in the film The 13 Most Beautiful Women and New York avant-garde theater in the 1960s.
- A documentary/biopic titled “Sallywood” is set to release on Amazon Prime on Nov. 10, 2025, according to her representative.
Background
Sally Kirkland rose from New York’s avant-garde theater scene in the 1960s to become a recognisable character actress in film and television. Her performance in the 1987 film Anna earned her a Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination, cementing her reputation in Hollywood. Across decades she appeared in notable films including JFK and Bruce Almighty and was linked historically to Andy Warhol’s Factory and its milieu.
In recent years friends and associates had expressed concern about her health; a GoFundMe campaign established by friends described urgent medical needs after infections and an accidental fall. Hospice care marks a shift from active medical treatment toward comfort-focused care when recovery is not expected to return the patient to prior health.
Main Event
On Nov. 9, 2025, Kirkland’s representative Michael Greene confirmed she was in hospice at a Palm Springs hospital after living with dementia for roughly a year. Friends who manage a fundraising page reported that she had suffered life-threatening infections and a fall that resulted in rib and foot injuries as well as cuts and bruises. Greene told reporters he was on a flight from JFK to Palm Springs to be with her.
Cody Galloway, described by Greene as a dear friend and former student, is reported to be at Kirkland’s bedside. The GoFundMe text says the fall occurred in the shower when she was left unattended, an account that friends used to explain the recent spike in medical complications and to request financial support for urgent care.
The representative also said a new film about Kirkland, titled “Sallywood,” will be available on Amazon Prime the day after the hospice announcement. The release of a biographical film at this moment highlights the public interest in her life and career even as she receives end-of-life care.
Analysis & Implications
Kirkland’s move into hospice care underscores the practical and emotional challenges families and caregivers face when a public figure with a long career confronts advanced illness. Dementia often progresses over years and can be complicated by infections and accidental injuries, particularly falls; those complications frequently precipitate hospice decisions focused on comfort rather than curative treatment.
The timing of a film release about a subject who has entered hospice raises questions about how biographical media intersects with real-time health crises. For viewers, the release may provide renewed appreciation for her body of work, while for friends and family it can be a complex mix of recognition and private grief.
Financial appeals like the reported GoFundMe illustrate gaps in coverage and the high cost of urgent medical care, even for established performers. Crowdfunding for medical expenses has become common in the U.S., spotlighting broader policy debates about eldercare, long-term care insurance, and support systems for aging artists.
Comparison & Data
| Item | Year / Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Globe win | 1987 | For lead role in Anna |
| Academy Award nomination | 1987 | Nomination for Anna |
| Current age | 84 (2025) | Dementia diagnosed within last year per representative |
| Hospice placement | Nov. 9, 2025 | Hospital in Palm Springs |
The table summarizes the timeline and key milestones referenced in this report. Kirkland’s award recognition dates back to 1987, while the health developments and hospice placement are current to Nov. 9, 2025.
Reactions & Quotes
“She is in hospice at a hospital in Palm Springs,”
Michael Greene, representative
Greene’s brief confirmation framed the situation as a shift to comfort-focused care and noted his travel to be with Kirkland. That statement aligns with friends’ online fundraising updates describing acute medical complications.
“She had a fall in the shower, when she was left unattended; injuring her ribs, foot, along with cuts and bruises,”
Friends’ GoFundMe campaign
The GoFundMe excerpt provided the most detailed account of recent injuries and was used to explain the urgent medical needs that prompted public appeals for assistance.
Unconfirmed
- Exact medical prognosis and life expectancy have not been publicly disclosed by medical staff or the representative.
- Full details about the circumstances of the shower fall, including who was responsible for supervision, remain unclear and are based on the GoFundMe account rather than an independent report.
Bottom Line
Sally Kirkland’s placement in hospice on Nov. 9, 2025, marks a sober juncture for a performer whose career spanned avant-garde theater and mainstream film. The announcement follows reports of infections and a fall and comes as friends coordinate care and a public fundraising effort to cover urgent needs.
The release of a film about her life, scheduled for Nov. 10, 2025, will likely renew public attention to her achievements even as those close to her focus on comfort and end-of-life decisions. For observers, the case highlights broader issues around eldercare, medical financing and how public narratives are shaped when a cultural figure faces advanced illness.
Sources
- TMZ (entertainment news report confirming hospice placement and campaign details)
- GoFundMe (crowdfunding platform; campaign by friends cited for medical updates)
- Alzheimer’s Association (nonprofit/medical resource on dementia and care guidance)