Jamie Lee Curtis confirms devastating family death, as Sharon Stone and Katherine LaNasa pay tribute

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Jamie Lee Curtis‘s older sister, Kelly, has died at the age of 69. Jamie shared the heartbreaking news with fans, revealing Kelly had passed away at her home “in nature, at peace” on the morning of May 30.

“A warm aloha to my older sister, Kelly Lee Curtis. She passed away this morning. In her home. In nature. At peace,” wrote Jamie alongside a stunning black and white picture of a young Kelly sitting in a hair salon.

© Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie called Kelly (pictured) her lifelong confidante

“She was my first friend and lifelong confidant. She was jaw-droppingly beautiful, and a talented actress,” Jamie continued, sharing that Kelly, “played a mean game of hearts, collected turtles, loved her family, nature, music, thrifting, travel, Facebook, and PokĂ©mon Go“.

Kelly was “proud of her Danish roots and Hungarian Jewish ancestry and was a devoted American patriot,” Jamie revealed, sharing that her beloved sister would 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”.

Jamie Lee Curtis (L) and sister Kelly Lee Curtis attend the 5th annual Women of Distinction luncheon at Beverly Hills Hotel on May 3, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.  © FilmMagic
Jamie (L) and sister Kelly in 2012

“Kelly always signed off any message or fare thee well with a Hungarian blessing
  Isten Veled, God is with you. Isten Veled to my sister of the sun and the moon, my Tai. I’ll see you on down the line,” Jamie concluded.

Born on June 17 1956, Kelly was the oldest child of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, the iconic Hollywood actors who also welcomed Jamie.

Kelly made her first onscreen appearance at the age of two in The Vikings, starring her parents but went on to college and graduated with a degree in business, before briefly working as a stockbroker.

American actor Tony Curtis (1925 - 2010), his wife Janet Leigh (1927 - 2004) and their baby daughter Kelly arriving at Southampton for a visit to England, May 25th 1957© Getty Images
Tony, Janet, and their baby daughter Kelly arriving in England, May 25th 1957

She most notably appeared in 1987’s Magic Sticks and 1991’s The Devil’s Daughter, and has also worked with younger sister Jamie as a production assistant on Freaky Friday (2003) and Christmas with the Kranks (2004). She has been married to Scott Morfee since 1989.

Jamie’s friends were quick to share their own prayers with the actress, with The Pitt ‘s Katherine LaNasa, Sharon Stone , Ariana DeBose, and Kenan Thompson sending their love.

“Big big hugs. Love you, Jamie. Nothing beats a sister,” added Uzo Aduba, and Rosenna Arquette writing: This is very sad news. Im so sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family.”

Janet Leigh and Kelly Curtis during A Special Screening og MGM's "It Runs In The Family Premiere" - Arrivals at Mann Bruin Theatre in Westwood, CA, United States© FilmMagic
Kelly with mom Janet

Kelly and Jamie are also sisters to half-siblings Alexandra, Allegra, Benjamin and Nicholas. Alexandra and Allegra are Tony’s daughters with second wife, actress and businesswoman Christine Kauffman. Benjamin is the younger of Tony’s two sons with third wife Leslie Allen, but unlike his older sisters, he didn’t enter the film industry.

Nicholas was the older of Tony and Leslie’s sons, born in 1970, but tragically passed away at the age of 23 in 1994 after an overdose.

“He was clean and sober, and he went out and used one time and died from an overdose,” Jamie shared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. “He is one of millions and millions of people whose lives have been extinguished because of addiction.” Benjamin named his oldest son after his late older brother.

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