‘Heathers’ Star Passed Away At Age 77
Oscar nominated actress Penelope Milford has died at 77 years old. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she was living in a rehabilitation facility in Kingston, New York, at the time of her death.
Milford’s sister Candace Saint, and brother, Douglas Milford, shared with the news outlet that their sister was in the facility following a car accident that occurred in July. She died on October 14th.
Heartbroken to share that Penelope Milford has passed away at 77 😔 She died October 14 in an assisted living facility in Saugerties, New York, no cause has been revealed.
Born March 23, 1948 in St. Louis, Missouri, she moved to Illinois with her family. Her stage career began… pic.twitter.com/LrMNemI3UJ
— Gerald Wayne (@MrGeraldWayne) October 16, 2025
Milford was born in St. Louis and graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. After graduation, she moved to New York to study acting at the American Place Theatre.
Her first big screen acting role was in 1970 as an extra in Maidstone. Then she turned to theatre where she acted in an off-Broadway musical called Long Time Coming and a Long Time Gone. Then, in 1972, she joined the Broadway cast of Lenny followed by the musical Shenandoah.
On the big screen, she stared in Valentino, Coming Home, Endless Love, and Heathers, just to name a few notable roles. Milford earned an Oscar nomination for her role in Coming Home.
From 1985-1987, Milford also ran an art gallery in Los Angeles and taught acting.
In 2003, she moved to Saugerties, New York, where she remodeled a historic home.
In the 1980s, Milford was briefly married to poet Michael Lally.
She is survived by her brother and sister as well as three nieces and nephews.