Penelope Milford, a renowned actress who received an Oscar nomination, has passed away as confirmed by her brother, Doug Milford. The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
Penelope gained recognition for her role as Vi Munson in Coming Home, which earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination in 1979. Her acting career made her a well-known figure in the 1970s and 80s. Originating from St. Louis, Missouri, she had a successful run on Broadway and starred alongside Richard Gere in the popular play “Richard Farina: Long Time Coming and a Long Time Gone.” Subsequently, she secured various roles in major motion pictures.
Her notable appearances include Norman Mailer’s “Maidstone” in 1970 and Ken Russell’s biopic “Valentino” in 1977. Penelope’s significant role was in the war drama “Coming Home,” where she acted alongside Jon Voight, Jane Fonda, and Bruce Dern, becoming one of the top films of 1978 with both commercial success and critical acclaim. The movie received multiple nominations, including at the Golden Globe Awards and the Academy Awards.
Following her success on the big screen, Penelope moved on to Franco Zeffirelli’s “Endless Love” in 1981 before transitioning to television, where she landed several notable roles. She notably appeared in the Emmy-winning TV play “The Oldest Living Graduate” alongside Henry Fonda, Cloris Leachman, and Timothy Hutton. Her role in the TV film “The Burning Bed” in 1984, focusing on marital abuse, garnered significant acclaim and awards.
Penelope’s final film credit was in the 1997 comedy thriller “Night of the Lawyers.” After retiring from Hollywood, she pursued teaching at film schools in Chicago and Minneapolis, sharing her expertise with aspiring talents. In 2003, she relocated to Saugerties, New York, where she actively engaged in community efforts, including the restoration of a historic residence and supporting local commercial initiatives.
Despite stepping away from the spotlight, Penelope continued her love for performance by participating in local theater productions and singing in the Bard Symphonic Chorus. She was a dedicated member of the Woodstock Christian Science church.
Penelope is survived by her sister Candace Saint and her brother Doug Milford. Tragically, her brother Richard Kim Milford, an actor and singer, passed away from heart failure at the age of 37 due to congenital heart defects that necessitated multiple surgeries. Kim’s untimely death followed open heart surgery in 1988.
If you enjoyed this story and want more showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads.
