Caitlin O’Heaney, best known for her roles in the horror film He Knows You’re Alone and the adventure series Tales of the Gold Monkey, has died at the age of 73. According to friend Peter Davis, she passed away on May 18 in Westchester County, New York. No cause of death was disclosed.
Born Kathleen Helen Heaney in Milwaukee in 1952, O’Heaney earned a scholarship to the Juilliard School at 17, where she studied alongside future stars including Christopher Reeve, Robin Williams, Christine Baranski, and William Hurt.
She gained recognition playing Amy Jensen in He Knows You’re Alone, which also marked Tom Hanks’ film debut, and later starred as Sarah Stickney White in Tales of the Gold Monkey. Her career included Broadway performances with Katharine Hepburn, films such as Wolfen and Three O’Clock High, and TV appearances in Murder, She Wrote, L.A. Law, Matlock, and other popular series.
Beyond acting, O’Heaney worked with Greenpeace, taught acting, created a perfume, sang with Pete Seeger, and was a passionate animal lover. She is survived by her sisters, Maureen and Coleen, along with several nephews and nieces. Her family has requested memorial donations be made to animal welfare organizations.