{"id":51224,"date":"2026-06-10T10:13:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T14:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=51224"},"modified":"2026-06-10T10:13:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T14:13:30","slug":"jamie-lee-curtis-mourns-sisters-death-with-touching-tribute-my-first-friend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2026\/06\/jamie-lee-curtis-mourns-sisters-death-with-touching-tribute-my-first-friend.html","title":{"rendered":"Jamie Lee Curtis Mourns Sister’s Death With Touching Tribute: ‘My first friend’"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Kathy Hutchins \/ Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jamie Lee Curtis is opening up about the deep bond she shared with her late sister, Kelly Curtis, after announcing her death at the age of 69.<\/p>\n

The Oscar-winning actress shared a series of emotional Instagram tributes over the weekend, remembering Kelly not only as her sister, but as her \u201cfirst friend and lifelong confidant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe passed away this morning. In her home. In nature. At peace,\u201d Curtis wrote alongside a black-and-white photo of Kelly. \u201cShe was jaw droppingly beautiful, and a talented actress.\u201d<\/p>\n

The “Freaky Friday” star painted a vivid picture of her sister\u2019s personality, recalling her love for \u201cfamily, nature, music, thrifting, travel, Facebook, and Pok\u00e9mon Go.\u201d She also honored Kelly\u2019s unique spirit, writing that she would be remembered for her \u201cloving generosity, fierce opinions, endless curiosity, unique style, and her powdered, almond, crescent cookies at Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Curtis later followed the post with another deeply personal memory centered around her 1984 wedding to actor Christopher Guest. Kelly served as her maid of honor, and the actress said the night before the wedding became a turning point in their relationship.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 1984 on December 17, in the evening before my wedding, my sister, Kelly, who was my maid of honor, came to my apartment and slept over,\u201d Curtis wrote. She shared a contact sheet of photos taken that evening by photographer Suzanne Tenner.<\/p>\n

Curtis admitted that while the sisters were close as children, their relationship became strained over time as they navigated the challenges of growing up in a famous Hollywood family following their parents\u2019 divorce.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy sister and I were close as children but also had that sibling competition for divorced parent\u2019s attention and love,\u201d she explained. \u201cWe were wildly different and lived apart for many years, but she came back to be with me at my wedding and never really left again.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Curtis, Kelly later became an \u201cintegral part\u201d of her family life and even worked alongside her behind the scenes on films including “Freaky Friday,” “Christmas With the Kranks,” and “You Again.”<\/p>\n

\u201cI miss her today but am buoyed by the knowledge that she is at peace,\u201d Curtis added.<\/p>\n

Kelly Curtis, the eldest daughter of Hollywood legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, spent decades working in entertainment both in front of and behind the camera. She made her screen debut as a baby in the 1958 film “The Vikings,” which starred both of her parents.<\/p>\n

Over the years, Kelly appeared in projects including “Trading Places,” “The Equalizer,” “Silk Stalkings,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and “The Sentinel.” She also directed documentaries later in life, including “Marby Jets Are Go” and “The Night She Came Home!!,” which chronicled Jamie Lee Curtis\u2019 appearance at a horror convention.<\/p>\n

In one of the most touching moments from Jamie Lee Curtis\u2019 tribute, she reflected on the Hungarian blessing Kelly often used when signing off messages.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsten Veled, God is with you,\u201d Curtis wrote. \u201cIsten Veled to my sister of the sun and the moon, my Tai. I\u2019ll see you on down the line.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelly Curtis is survived by her husband and siblings, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Alexandra Curtis, Allegra Curtis, and Ben Curtis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jamie Lee Curtis is opening up about the deep bond she shared with her late sister, Kelly Curtis, after announcing her death at the age of 69. The Oscar-winning actress shared a series of emotional Instagram tributes over the weekend, remembering Kelly not only as her sister, but as her \u201cfirst friend and lifelong confidant.\u201d…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":51227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-television"],"yoast_head":"\nJamie Lee Curtis Mourns Sister's Death With Touching Tribute: 'My first friend'<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Jamie Lee Curtis honored late sister Kelly Curtis with emotional memories, calling her \u201cmy first friend and lifelong confidant.\u201d\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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