Kelly Curtis dies at 69 — Jamie Lee Curtis mourns sister

Kelly Curtis died on Saturday morning, as Jamie Lee Curtis stated in a statement. The actress and producer was the older daughter of Hollywood legend Tony Curtis and psychologist Christine Kaufmann.

In her statement of mourning, Jamie Lee Curtis honored her sister as "a wonderful woman" and shared personal memories. Stern reports that Kelly Curtis pursued a career as an actress and producer and participated in various film and television projects, including the series "The Sentinel".

Decades in Hollywood's background

Kelly Curtis was not only active as an actress, but also worked behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. Rolling Stone documents that she moved through Hollywood for decades and supported multiple productions. Her career spanned various areas of show business.

The Curtis family has largely kept out of the public eye in the past, although Jamie Lee Curtis became one of the most successful actresses of her generation. Variety reports that Kelly Curtis, despite her family connections to Tony Curtis and Jamie Lee Curtis, led a relatively private life.

The exact cause of death was not initially disclosed. Jamie Lee Curtis' statement focused on the personal significance of her sister to the family and her love for her.