Actress Jamie Lee Curtis announced the death of her older sister Kelly Curtis on Saturday.. Kelly, 69, died at home surrounded by nature. the sisters were daughters of Hollywood legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, and both pursued acting careers.

The 'Auntie Cookie' Who Baked Almond Crescents and Signed Off with a Hungarian Blessing

In her Instagram tribute, Jamie Lee Curtis highlighted Kelly's cherished tradition of baking almond crescent cookies at Christmas, which earned her the nickname "Auntie Cookie." According to Jamie Lee's post, Kelly often ended messages with the Hungarian blessing "Isten Veled," meaning "God is with you." Jamie Lee signed her own farewell with the same phrase, writing to her sister "my sister of the sun and the moon, my Tai." The tribute celebrated Kelly's loving generosity, fierce opinions, endless curiiosity, and distinctive style.

From 'The Devil's Daughter' to Production Assistant on 'Freaky Friday': Kelly's Screen Career

Kelly Curtis appeared in films such as the 1991 Italian horror movie The Devil's Daughter, directed by Dario Argento . Beyond acting, she worked behind the scenes as a production assistant on several of Jamie Lee's projects,including Freaky Friday, Christmas with the Kranks, and You Again. The source notes that Kelly followed her parents into the entertainment industry, but her career was more varied and less public than her sister's.

A Hollywood Dynasty's Private Grief : The Cause of Death Remains Unknown

Jamie Lee did not reveal the cause of death in her announcement.. the family has requested privacy as they mourn, and Jamie Lee's representative has been contacted for further comment, as the source reports. This silence leaves a significant open question for fans and media: what led to Kelly's passing at 69? The lack of detail is consistent with the family's stated wish for privacy, but it also underscores the difficulty of balancing public legacy with private loss.

A Shared Heritage: Danish and Hungarian Jewish Pride

Jamie Lee's tribute specifically noted Kelly's pride in her Danish and Hungarian Jewish heritage, as well as her devotion as an American patriot. The Curtis-Leigh family lineage is a cornerstone of Hollywood history, with Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh achieving iconic status in films like Some Like It Hot and Psycho. According to the announcement, Kelly's identity was deeply tied to these roots, a detail that adds depth to the public understanding of her life beyond her filmography.