Sally Kellerman, Daytime Emmy Nominee for Y&R, Dead at 84

Actress Sally Kellerman, best known as Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan in the film M*A*S*H, has died after a battle with dementia. She was 84. The actress was known to daytime fans for her stint as Constance Bingham on The Young and the Restless.

In Memoriam: Sally Kellerman

In 2014, Y&R cast Kellerman as Constance Bingham, who played a key role in helping reintroduce Adam Newman to the show’s canvas. “Our condolences to the loved ones of Sally Kellerman who graced #YR with her talents as Constance Bingham,” @YRInsider tweeted.

Kellerman’s Constance helped usher in Justin Hartley as Adam. Constance was under the mistaken impression that Gabriel saved Adam after a car explosion. In reality, Adam swiped Gabriel’s identity by having plastic surgery to look like him.

Before Constance passed away, she informed “Gabriel” that Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) was the man responsible for the takeover of Gabriel’s father’s company. Constance’s last wish was for “Gabriel” to avenge his “father’s” death. Just before Constance died, she realized that Gabriel must already be dead as he was ushering her into the hereafter.

Kellerman made one final appearance on Y&R in May 2016 when she appeared as a spirit in Adam’s dream. In 2017, Sally Kellerman was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the category of Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series. Kellerman was also nominated for an Oscar for her role as Hot Lips in the movie version of M*A*S*H.

According to TMZ, Kellerman had been diagnosed with dementia around 2017 and had not been doing well the last few years. Her son saw her on Wednesday night and, as it appeared she was not going to live much longer, he said his final goodbyes.

Kellerman was born on June 2, 1937, in Long Beach, California to parents Edith Baine (Vaughn), who taught piano, and John Helm Kellerman, who was an executive at Shell Oil. After seeing Marlon Brando appear in the movie Viva Zapata!, Kellerman was drawn to the world of performing arts. She attended Hollywood High School where she performed in musical productions, including Meet Me in St. Louis. She attended Los Angeles City College for a year and then, studied with the renowned acting coach Jeff Corey (ex-Peter Mackenzie, Knots Landing).

Sally Kellerman was also a singer. Her first album, Roll with the Feelin’, was released by Decca Records in 1972. In addition to M*A*S*H, her films include The Boston Strangler, Brewster McCloud, Foxes, That’s Life!, Back to School, Moving Violations, Meatballs III: Summer Job, and Women of the Night.

The actress is known to Star Trek fans for her role as Dr. Elizabeth Dehner, who was gifted with ESP (Extra Sensory Perception). She appeared in the third episode of the Sci-Fi series titled Where No Man Has Gone Before. Her other TV credits include Ben Casey, Mannix, That Girl, and The Outer Limits.

Divorced from Rick Edelstein (a writer for The Doctors, Starsky and Hutch, and The Colbys), Kellerman married movie producer Jonathan D. Krane (Face/Off) in 1980. Kellerman and Krane had three children, Hannah Krane, Jack Krane, and (Kellerman’s niece, whom she adopted) Claire Graham Kellerman. The actress’s last credit was voicing the role of Cleo on the animated series Sami. She has a role in the movie Under Water Upside Down, which is said to be in post-production. Soap Hub sends sincere condolences to Sally Kellerman’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.