1962–1986: Initial work Kirkland began acting
Off-Broadway in 1963. She joined
Andy Warhol's
The Factory and appeared nude while tied to a chair for 45 minutes in
The 13 Most Beautiful Women., a 1964 drama film. and starred in the underground film
Coming Apart (1969). For the 1970s and most of the 1980s Kirkland had secondary roles in such films as
Going Home (1971),
The Young Nurses (1973),
The Way We Were (1973),
The Sting (1973),
Big Bad Mama (1974),
Crazy Mama (1975),
Breakheart Pass (1975),
Griffin and Phoenix: A Love Story (1976; U.S. made-for-television movie which was also released theatrically overseas),
A Star Is Born (1976), and
Private Benjamin (1980). She played a leading role in the 1984 horror film
Fatal Games. Her television credits include guest-starring roles on
Hawaii Five-O,
Police Story,
The Rookies, ''
Three's Company, Kojak, Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, and Falcon Crest''.
1987–1999: Critical acclaim and awards success In 1987, Kirkland received widespread critical acclaim for her eponymous performance as a former popular actress in the independent comedy-drama
Anna.
The Washington Post deemed her performance "superb" and the
Los Angeles Times rated her as one of the best actresses of the decade. She won the
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and the
Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead, and was nominated for the
Academy Award for Best Actress. In 1989, she appeared in the sports drama
Best of the Best. In 1990s, Kirkland starred in the action-comedy
Bullseye! (1990) opposite
Michael Caine, and played supporting roles in
Revenge (1990),
JFK (1991),
Gunmen (1994),
Excess Baggage (1997), and
EDtv (1999). Kirkland also co-starred in the 1989/1990 genre films including
Paint It Black,
Cold Feet,
High Stakes, and
Two Evil Eyes, as well as starred in the 1992 erotic thrillers
In the Heat of Passion and
Double Threat, which were successful as home video releases. Her career shifted to the small screen during this time, appearing in lead roles in several made-for-television movies, and starring in the syndicated soap opera
Valley of the Dolls in 1994. In 1990, she also played Truvy Jones in the television adaptation of
Steel Magnolias. For her performance in the television film
The Haunted (1991), Kirkland received a nomination for the
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film. She was a guest star on
Roseanne,
Murder, She Wrote, and
The Nanny. In 1999, she had recurring roles in
Felicity and
Days of Our Lives.
2000–2025: Later career In 2000s, she played supporting roles in films including
Bruce Almighty (2003),
Adam & Steve (2005), and
Big Stan (2007). She hosted a weekly program on the syndicated HealthyLife Radio Network. In 2019, she starred in the film
Cuck. In 2020, she had a leading role in
Hope For The Holidays on
Amazon Prime Video with
Robert Lasardo,
Doug Hutchison,
Alex Cubis, and
George Stults. In 2024, Kirkland starred as herself in the independent comedy film,
Sallywood, a parody about a longtime fan of the actress who becomes her assistant and helps her in her quest to return to red-carpet glory. == Other work and activism ==