Ojai Film Festival honors Sally Kellerman with a special screening of her Oscar-nominated M.A.S.H., followed by a Q&A and reception.

Sunday, June 3 at 4 PM – 8 PM
Ojai Art Center
113 S Montgomery St.



In continuing its program of recognizing outstanding actors, the Ojai Film Festival presents An Evening with Sally Kellerman on June 3 from 4 to 8 pm at the Ojai Art Center. The event will include a screening of her iconic film MASH, followed by a question and answer discussion with Ms. Kellerman. Afterwards, a reception and special birthday cake for Ms. Kellerman, whose birthday is June 2, will be celebrated by all.

“The iconic 1970 film MASH was a blockbuster,” said Jonathan Lambert, the festival’s President. “It introduced Sally Kellerman to a generation of baby boomers as “Hot Lips Houlihan.”  Her 60-year career in film, TV and voice-over reflects her versatility as a performer. The Ojai Film Festival is delighted to present the satirical black comedy that brought her nominations for an Academy Award and Golden Globe.”

Sally Kellerman’s fresh and distinctively weird, misfit presence is the same uniqueness that continues to makes her such an attractively offbeat performer today. The willowy, swan-necked, flaxen-haired actress shot to film comedy fame after toiling nearly a decade and a half in the business, and is still most brazenly remembered for her career-maker — the irreverent hit MASH (1970). From there she went on to enjoy a number of other hallmark moments as both an actress and a vocalist.

A California native Sally Kellerman was initially inhibited by her height (5’10”), noticeably gawky and slinky frame and wide slash of a mouth, Sally proved difficult to cast. Her first film was a juvenile delinquent drama Reform School Girl (1957). At the same time Sally pursued a singing career, earning a recording contract with Verve Records.

Sally’s monumental break came via director Robert Altman when he hired her for, and she created a dusky-voiced sensation out of, the aggressively irritating character Major Margaret (“Kiss My ‘Hot Lips'”) Houlihan. Her highlighting naked-shower scene in the groundbreaking cinematic comedy MASH had audiences ultimately laughing and gasping at the same time. Both she and the film were a spectacular success with Sally the sole actor to earn an Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her marvelous work. She went on to do several more Altman classics, Brewster McCloud and Welcome to LA. Her last film was in 2011.

“It hasn’t been smooth or delightful every minute,” reflects Kellerman. “There were lean years and rough years, but it’s been exciting and good and I’m thrilled to be an actress and a singer and to have spent my life this way.” The mischievous sparkle in her eyes tell it all.

Everyone is welcome to come to this delightful evening of film and conversation. Advance tickets are $25 online or $30 at the door.