Mia Farrow's Sister, Actress Tisa Farrow, Dead at 72: 'She Was the Best of Us'

Mar. 15, 2025

Tisa Farrow inFingers(1978).Photo:Alamy

Alamy

Theresa “Tisa” Farrow, an actress known for her roles in movies likeHomerandFingers,has died. She was 72 years old.

Tisa’s sister, fellow actressMia Farrow, shared the sad news on Instagram Wednesday, posting a lengthy, heartfelttribute alongside a throwback photoof her late sibling.

“She died unexpectedly yesterday morning. Apparently in her sleep,” Mia also wrote. “This is a hard time for all of us who admire and love her so deeply.”

In a repost of his mother’s tribute, shared to his Instagram Story on Thursday,Ronan Farrowwrote, “Miss you, Auntie Tisa.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

After making her big-screen debut as Laurie Grainger in the 1970 dramaHomer, Tisa went on to appear in more than a dozen more films likeAnd Hope to Die(1972),Fingers(1978),Winter Kills(1979) andWoody Allen’sManhattan, also in 1979.

Her final film roles were in 1980, as Julie inAnthropophagusand Jane Foster inThe Last Hunter.

Back in 1970, a then-18-year-old Tisa toldThe New York Timesthat she had “no advantages” in the industry, and “spent a long time going around town trying out for commercials, and I didn’t get one.”

“I would always run into some career woman who disliked me right away because she didn’t like my sister Mia,” she added.

Mia and Tisa Farrow in New York City on Nov. 8, 1979.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

In her Instagram tribute to her sister, Mia, a mother of 14, shared that followingher film career, Tisa worked as a nurse for 27 years.

“[She was] a wonderful sister to Steffi, Prudence and me, a devoted mother to Jason, who died in Iraq, Bridget and little grandson Kylor — the lights of her life,” Mia added.

“I’m so sorry.❤️” wroteMolly Ringwald, whileTatum O’Nealleft a rose emoji andFrances Fishercommented with a prayers-hands emoji.

“Ohhhh, Mia, I’m so very sorry for this shocking and devastating loss,” saidLesley Ann Warren. “My love and prayers for grace for you and your family. 💔🙏.”

source: people.com