Actress Penelope Milford, known for her Oscar-nominated role in the 1978 film Coming Home, has passed away at the age of 77. Milford died on Tuesday in Saugerties, New York, as confirmed by her brother Doug Milford. The cause of her death has not yet been disclosed.
Milford’s portrayal of Vi Munson in the Hal Ashby-directed film earned her critical acclaim alongside co-stars Jane Fonda, Jon Voight, and Bruce Dern. The film, set in California, tells the story of a woman whose Marine officer husband is fighting in Vietnam, and who falls in love with a former high school classmate who returns from the war with a paralyzing injury. Milford’s character, Vi, is the sister of Bill Munson, played by Robert Carradine, who struggles with severe emotional issues after his brief stint in Vietnam.
Career Highlights and Stage Success
While Milford ultimately lost the Oscar to Maggie Smith for her role in California Suite, Coming Home was a significant success, winning three Oscars in total, including Best Actress for Fonda and Best Actor for Voight.
Milford’s talent was not confined to the silver screen. In 1974, she originated the role of Jenny Anderson in the Broadway musical Shenandoah, earning a Drama Desk Award nomination in 1975. The musical, adapted from a 1965 film starring Jimmy Stewart, tells the story of a Virginia farmer who is drawn into the Civil War when his son is captured by Union soldiers.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on March 23, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri, Milford moved to Illinois with her family, where she grew up. Her acting career took off in New York in 1971 when she starred opposite Richard Gere in an Off-Broadway production of Long Time Coming And A Long Time Gone, based on the life of musician-novelist Richard Farina. The following year, she made her Broadway debut in Lenny, a play about the life of comedian Lenny Bruce, which earned lead actor Cliff Gorman a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award.
Milford’s first film role was in Norman Mailer’s 1970 film Maidstone, noted for its edgy content. She also appeared in the 1977 biopic Valentino, directed by Ken Russell, where she played a silent film star.
Television Roles and Later Life
In the 1980s, Milford expanded her repertoire to television, appearing in the TV play The Oldest Living Graduate (1980) alongside Henry Fonda, Cloris Leachman, and Timothee Hutton. The play won two Primetime Emmy Awards. She also starred in television movies such as Seizure: The Story Of Kathy Morris (1980) with Leonard Nimoy and The Burning Bed (1984) with Farrah Fawcett, the latter earning a WGA Award and a Golden Globe.
Despite her success, Milford reportedly grew dissatisfied with her acting career towards the end of the decade. She appeared in a few more films, including Heathers (1988) and Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1996), before transitioning to teaching film acting in Chicago and Minneapolis during the 1990s.
Legacy and Community Involvement
In 2003, Milford relocated to the Hudson Valley village of Saugerties, New York, where she became a preservationist. She remained active in the arts, performing at local theaters, singing with the Bard Symphonic Chorus, and participating in the Woodstock Christian Science Church.
Milford’s passing marks the end of a vibrant career that spanned stage, film, and television. Her contributions to the arts, both as a performer and a teacher, leave a lasting impact on the industry and the communities she touched.
