Sally Kellerman, a California native born on June 2, 1937, in Long Beach, arrived on the late 1950s film and television scene with a unique and offbeat presence. Her distinctive features, including her willowy frame, swan-necked poise, and flaxen hair, made her a standout performer. Kellerman's breakthrough role came in 1970 with her iconic portrayal of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in Robert Altman's M*A*S*H, for which she received supporting Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.
Raised in the San Fernando Valley, Kellerman was drawn to the performing arts after seeing Marlon Brando in Viva Zapata! (1952). She attended Hollywood High School, where she sang in musical productions, and later enrolled at Los Angeles City College before dropping out to pursue acting.
Initially, Kellerman struggled to find her footing in the industry due to her height and unconventional looks. However, she persevered and eventually landed her film debut in Reform School Girl (1957),followed by a singing career and a recording contract with Verve Records.
Throughout the 1960s, Kellerman appeared in a range of television shows, including comedies and dramas, before landing more significant film roles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Her work in The Third Day (1965),The Boston Strangler (1968),and The April Fools (1969) showcased her versatility as an actress.
Kellerman's monumental break came with M*A*S*H, which catapulted her to stardom and earned her an Oscar nomination. She went on to work with Altman on several more films, including Brewster McCloud (1970) and Welcome to L.A. (1976),and continued to appear in a range of films throughout the 1970s, including comedies, dramas, and musicals.
In the 1980s, Kellerman's film output slowed, but she continued to work in television and music. She released her first album, "Roll with the Feelin'," in 1972 and went on to release several more albums, including "Sally" in 2009. Kellerman also worked as a voice-over artist and continued to appear in films and television shows throughout her career.
In her personal life, Kellerman was married to Rick Edelstein and later to Jonathan D. Krane, with whom she adopted twins. She was also the adoptive mother of her niece, Claire Graham. Kellerman passed away on February 24, 2022, in Los Angeles.
