Oscar-nominated actress Penelope Milford has died at the age of 77, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Milford passed away on October 14 while residing at a rehabilitation facility in Kingston, New York. Her sister, Candace Saint, and brother, Douglas Milford, said she had been recovering there following injuries sustained in a car accident in July.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Milford graduated from New Trier High School in Illinois before moving to New York City to pursue acting. She studied at the American Place Theatre and made her film debut in 1970 as an extra in Maidstone.
Milford built a respected career on stage, appearing in both Off-Broadway and Broadway productions, including Lenny and Shenandoah. She later transitioned to film, earning recognition for her performances in Valentino, Endless Love, and the cult classic Heathers.
Her most acclaimed role came in Coming Home (1978), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Beyond acting, Milford explored other creative paths. In the mid-1980s, she operated an art gallery in Los Angeles and later worked as an acting teacher. She eventually settled in Saugerties, New York, where she restored a historic home.
Milford was briefly married to poet Michael Lally. She is survived by her sister, her brother, and three nieces and nephews.