Sally Kellerman: The Life, Career, And Legacy Of A Hollywood Icon

Let me tell you about Sally Kellerman, a legendary actress who skyrocketed to fame in the 1970 film M*A*S*H. She played Major Margaret J “Hot Lips” Houlihan, a role that earned her an Oscar nomination and cemented her place in Hollywood history. Sally passed away on February 24, 2022, at the age of 84, leaving behind her son Jack Krane and daughter Claire Kellerman. Her legacy as an actress, singer, and voiceover artist lives on through the countless fans who loved her work.

Jack confirmed his mother's death to The Hollywood Reporter after a long battle with dementia. The news sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with tributes pouring in from co-stars like William Shatner, Treat Williams, and even singer Nancy Sinatra. These outpourings of love and respect highlight just how much Sally meant to those around her, both personally and professionally.

Sally’s career spanned decades, with her talent shining in films like The Boston Strangler (1968), Someone to Love (1987), and Prêt-à-Porter (1994). Beyond the silver screen, the California native made waves on TV shows like The Twilight Zone, Bonanza, and Star Trek. She wasn’t just an actress, though—Sally was also a gifted singer, voiceover artist, and author. Despite her success in the '70s, her ultimate dream was simple: to start a family. “I love acting… but my fantasy is to have a couple of babies and make an album a year, and maybe a picture a year too,” she said in a 1973 interview. “I don’t want to not do either one.”

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Sally’s personal life was as colorful as her career. She married her first husband, Rick Edelstein, in 1970, but their marriage ended in 1972. Then, in 1980, she tied the knot with screenwriter Jonathan D. Krane, and together they adopted three children. Tragically, Jonathan passed away in August 2016, followed shortly by their daughter Hannah Krane, leaving Sally to cope with devastating losses.

Who Is Sally’s Daughter Claire Kellerman?

In the 1970s, Sally became a mother for the first time when she adopted her niece, Claire. Claire was more than just her niece; she was Sally’s daughter in every sense of the word. Claire served as the maid of honor at Sally’s 1980 wedding to Jonathan, and that same year, Sally starred in the coming-of-age film Foxes. During an interview with Roger Ebert after the film’s release, Sally opened up about her connection to her role as Mary. “I could identify with the role. I have a daughter who’s 15,” she shared. “She doesn’t have the problems of the kids in this movie, but she does think she’s going to be better than me at everything. That’s what she says: ‘I’m gonna be better than you are. A better singer. Better at everything.’ I asked her one thing: ‘Do you think that’ll make you happy? Wait and see if it does.’ She got real quiet.”

Who Is Sally’s Son Jack Krane?

At the age of 52, Sally decided to expand her family once again by adopting twins, Jack and Hannah. “A friend said, ‘All your friends think you’re crazy,’” Sally told the Los Angeles Times in April 2013 about becoming a mom again later in life. “I said, ‘You’re kidding.’ I never had a sense of my age, and I don’t intend to.” In her 2013 memoir, Read My Lips: Stories of a Hollywood Life, Sally fondly recalled moments with her children, including the day she brought them home for the first time. Jonathan’s stepmother, Bubby, was there to greet the twins, offering a special kind of “unconditional love” that Sally cherished deeply.

Who Was Sally’s Daughter Hannah Krane?

In October 2016, Sally shared heartbreaking news on Facebook: her daughter Hannah had passed away at the age of 27. Just three months earlier, she had lost her beloved husband Jonathan. “So sorry to report the sudden and unexpected passing of my beloved daughter Hannah Krane,” she wrote. “Just a little more than three months after I lost my darling husband Jonathan. Thank Heaven for her twin brother, Jack. We ask for your love and support at this terrible time. Love, Sally.” Despite the grief, Jack and Hannah were there for Sally during her darkest hours, helping her find strength and return to her career as a performer.