Sally Kirkland Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Sally Kirkland was an acclaimed American actress and producer — celebrated for her fearless artistic choices and her Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe–winning performance in Anna.

Introduction

Sally Kirkland was a trailblazing American actress whose career spanned more than six decades and included over 250 film and television roles. Born October 31, 1941, she earned renown for her bold performances, especially in the 1987 film Anna, which brought her both critical acclaim and major awards. Late in life, reports placed her net worth at a modest value, a stark contrast to her prolific career. Her personal relationships, two marriages and several notable romances, also remain of interest to many. Her birthdate (October 31, 1941) and birthday (October 31) are part of what biographers often highlight when reflecting on her life and legacy.

Quick Facts

From New York Beginnings to Avant-Garde Rebellion

Born in New York City, Sally Kirkland came from a family steeped in the world of fashion and artistry — her mother, also named Sally Kirkland, was a noted fashion editor for Vogue and Life magazines.

Kirkland’s early exposure to creativity and style likely influenced her eventual gravitation toward performance. She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and studied method acting under legendary teachers such as Lee Strasberg. 

In the early 1960s, she immersed herself in New York’s avant-garde theatre scene, even joining the circle of Andy Warhol. Her participation in his 1964 film The 13 Most Beautiful Women — in which she delivered a raw, risky performance — marked the beginning of a fearless commitment to challenging roles. 

Defining moments in Sally Kirkland’s journey include:

• Embracing avant-garde and experimental theatre and film in 1960s New York.

• Transitioning from modelling and theatre into screen acting, with early roles in underground films such as Coming Apart (1969) and westerns like Blue (1968). 

• Persisting through decades of supporting and character roles in theatre, film, and television — building a vast, eclectic résumé.

• Achieving mainstream critical success with her lead role in Anna (1987), a turning point that transformed her into a recognized name. 

Her ascent reflected not only talent but boldness — a refusal to settle for conventional stardom, instead embracing artistry, reinvention, and unflinching authenticity.

The Core Pillars of Sally Kirkland’s Wealth Include

Despite this diversified background, public estimates place her net worth at about US$ 50,000 at the end of her life.

Relationships & Personal Life

Sally Kirkland’s personal life was marked by romantic relationships and two marriages, though details remained relatively private over the years.

• First marriage: to Michael R. Jarrett in August 1974 — the union ended in divorce the following year. 

• Second marriage: to Mark Hebert in 1985, after nearly a decade of dating; that marriage also ended in divorce. 

Beyond her marriages, she was reportedly romantically linked to public figures such as Keith Hernandez (in 1992) and, at different points, rumored involvement with Bob Dylan. 

Key insights into Sally Kirkland’s relationships and personal life:

• She never had publicly known children. 

• Her marriages ended in divorce; she preferred to keep her private life largely out of media scrutiny.

• Her romantic relationships — though occasionally with high-profile individuals — remained largely defined by privacy and discretion.

Though public fascination centered on her relationships, Kirkland often emphasized her work, spirituality, and inner journey more than romantic entanglements.

Beyond Career: Lifestyle, Assets & Passions

Beyond her on-screen presence, Sally Kirkland lived a life that intertwined artistry, spirituality, and activism.

• She was deeply involved in holistic practices and New Age spirituality; she trained under Method acting, but her approach to life also embraced meditation, introspection, and inner growth. 

• Reports suggest she served as a mentor or teacher to aspiring actors — evident in her longtime support for communities beyond Hollywood. 

• In her later years, Kirkland faced serious health challenges — fractures, infections, and dementia — which dramatically impacted her finances and lifestyle, prompting friends to set up a GoFundMe for her medical care.

• Her willingness to live modestly toward the end reflects a humility and vulnerability that contrasted sharply with the glamour of her early career.

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

The financial trajectory of Sally Kirkland reveals a stark reality: even decades-long careers and award-winning performances may not guarantee long-term security — especially when faced with financial mismanagement and serious health issues. Her career provided opportunity and acclaim, but the later years demonstrated how fragile wealth can be without stable investments or insurance protections.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Sally Kirkland’s public image was always one of boldness, authenticity, and rebellion against the conventional Hollywood mold. She wasn’t interested in glamor for glamor’s sake — she sought artistry, truth, and raw emotion. Her 1987 performance in Anna remains a landmark for its emotional depth and fearless vulnerability. 

In the industry and among fans, she came to symbolize the archetype of the “working actor” — unsung, relentless, and devoted to craft over celebrity. Her involvement in avant-garde theater, punk-era cinema, method acting, and then mainstream film and television illustrates a rare adaptability and commitment.

Moreover, her personal journey — from modeling to offbeat theatre to Hollywood recognition — inspired many aspiring performers. Her open embrace of spirituality, acting as mentor, and pushing boundaries in both art and life cultivated respect beyond box-office numbers or red-carpet moments.

Her final years, marked by health struggles and financial hardship, also sparked conversations about how Hollywood supports — or fails to support — its veteran actors. For many, her story is a cautionary — but deeply human — reminder of impermanence, struggle, and dignity in adversity.

Conclusion

Sally Kirkland’s life was a tapestry of daring artistic choices, unyielding work ethic, and deeply personal struggles. Born October 31, 1941, she carved out a career that spanned theatre, avant-garde film, mainstream Hollywood, and television — with over 250 credits to her name. Her celebrated role in Anna earned her top honors and an enduring place in cinematic history.

Yet by the end of her life, her estimated net worth stood at a modest US$ 50,000 — a sobering contrast to the intensity and breadth of her career. Her journey underscores how fame and recognition do not always translate into stability. Her relationships — two marriages, several high-profile romances — offer glimpses into a private life lived largely on her own terms.

But beyond numbers and roles, Sally Kirkland’s legacy lies in her fearlessness: to create, to evolve, to challenge — and to live authentically. Her birthdate and birthday now belong to history, but the emotional honesty she brought to every role endures.