Oscar-nominated actress Penelope Milford, best known for her role in Coming Home, has died at the age of 77.
Milford passed away on Tuesday, October 14, at an assisted living facility in Saugerties, New York.
The cause of death has not been made public.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 23, 1948, Milford rose to prominence for her portrayal of Vi Munson in Hal Ashby’s 1978 drama Coming Home.
She starred opposite Jane Fonda, who played Sally Hyde, and Robert Carradine, who portrayed her brother Bill Munson, a Vietnam veteran struggling with emotional trauma.
The film earned critical acclaim and saw Milford receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, joining co-stars Fonda and Jon Voight, who were also nominated for their performances.
Over the years, Milford built a diverse career across film, television, and stage.
Her screen credits included roles such as silent film star Lorna Sinclair in Valentino, the fiancée of Don Murray’s character in Endless Love (1981), and guidance counselor Pauline Fleming in the cult classic Heathers (1988).
She made her feature film debut in Norman Mailer’s Maidstone in 1970.
Before her Hollywood success, Milford made her mark in theater. In 1971, she appeared in the off-Broadway musical Long Time Coming and a Long Time Gone alongside Richard Gere.
The following year, she joined the Broadway production of Lenny, a play about the life of comedian Lenny Bruce.
Her performance as Jenny Anderson in the Civil War-era musical Shenandoah earned her a Drama Desk Award nomination in 1975, as she originated the role on stage.
Outside of acting, Milford remained devoted to the arts. She taught acting in Chicago and Minneapolis throughout the 1990s, performed at her local theater in Saugerties, and sang with the Bard Symphonic Chorus.
Milford’s younger brother, Richard Kim Milford, passed away in 1980 from heart failure at the age of 37. She is survived by her brother Douglas Milford and sister Candace Saint.
Penelope Milford’s legacy endures through her memorable performances, both on screen and on stage, and her lifelong commitment to the craft of storytelling.
