Hollywood Mourns '70S Icon Penelope Milford: Oscar-Nominated Star Passes At 77

SoCal Says Goodbye to a Silver Screen Legend

Yo, Hollywood just lost one of its brightest from the golden '70s era. Penelope Milford, the brunette bombshell who stole hearts and earned an Oscar nod for her role in 'Coming Home' (1978), passed away at 77 on October 14 in Saugerties, New York. Her brother Doug Milford confirmed the news, noting she was in an assisted living facility, though the cause of her passing remains under wraps for now.

Penelope was straight-up SoCal magic on screen, co-starring with heavyweights like Jane Fonda and Jon Voight in the iconic Vietnam War drama that nabbed three Oscars. Playing Vi Munson, she brought raw emotion to the story of a soldier’s sister dealing with her brother’s trauma - a role that had everyone in Tinseltown buzzing.

From Oscar Noms to Broadway Beats

Even though she didn’t snag the Oscar - losing out to Maggie Smith for 'California Suite' - Penelope wasn’t slowing down. This St. Louis native, who first popped up as an extra in 'Maidstone' (1970), kept the hustle real through the '80s and '90s. She even had tongues wagging with rumors of a romance with Richard Gere after they shared the stage in the off-Broadway hit 'Long Time Coming and a Long Time Gone' back in '71.

Her stage game was just as fierce, earning a Drama Desk nomination in '75 for 'Shenandoah,' a musical about a Virginian farmer dodging Civil War drama. That grit and grace carried her through a stacked filmography, from 'Heathers' (1988) to 'Valentino' (1977), plus a slew of made-for-TV flicks like 'The Burning Bed' (1984), which scored a Golden Globe.

“Penelope had this raw, real energy that just pulled you in - whether on screen or stage, she was unforgettable,” a longtime Hollywood casting director shared, reflecting on her impact.

A Life Beyond the Red Carpet

Penelope wasn’t just about the Hollywood grind - she had layers, fam. In the '80s, she flipped the script and ran an art gallery right here in LA, soaking up that creative Venice Beach vibe. Later, she shared her wisdom teaching film acting in Chicago and Minneapolis during the '90s, proving she could shine behind the scenes too.

Her personal life had its own share of Malibu-style drama, with a short marriage to poet Michael Lally from '82 to '84. In 2003, she traded the LA hustle for Saugerties, New York (a quaint spot upstate, far from the Sunset Strip), where she dove into historic home remodeling and preservation. She’s survived by her brother Doug and sister Candace Saint.

Family Ties and Cult Classics

A Brother’s Legacy in Rocky Horror Fame

Penelope wasn’t the only star in the Milford fam. Her late brother, Richard Kim Milford, was a theater legend who originated the role of Rocky in the first production of 'The Rocky Horror Show.' That musical spawned the 1975 cult classic flick starring Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon, cementing the family’s place in pop culture history. Richard sadly passed in 1988 from heart failure.

Leaving a Mark on Hollywood Forever

From red carpets to gritty roles, Penelope Milford’s journey was pure Hollywood - with a side of Broadway swagger. Her work in 'Coming Home' and beyond still echoes through the industry, reminding us why the '70s were such a vibe. As we mourn her loss, LA’s lights dim a little, but her legacy? That’s staying lit forever.