Caitlin O’Heaney, Actress and Tales of the Gold Monkey Star, Dies at

Caitlin O’Heaney, an American actress recognized for her work in film, television, and stage, has died at the age of 73 [1]. She passed away on May 18, 2026, in Westchester County, New York [2].

Key takeaways

• O’Heaney was best known for her role as Sarah Stickney White in the 1980s ABC adventure series Tales of the Gold Monkey [1].
• She starred as the female lead in the 1980 horror film He Knows You’re Alone, which marked the feature film debut of Tom Hanks [1].
• A Juilliard-trained actress, she performed on Broadway and worked extensively in regional theater, including productions in Seattle and New York [1].
• Her career included appearances in numerous television series, such as The Charmings, L.A. Law, and Murder, She Wrote [2].

A Career Defined by Stage and Screen

Born Kathleen Helen Heaney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 16, 1952, the actress was raised in the suburb of Whitefish Bay [2]. She displayed an early interest in the arts, joining the North Shore Children’s Theatre at age 11 before winning a scholarship to the Juilliard School at 17 [2]. As a member of the school's third drama class, she studied alongside notable peers including Christopher Reeve, Robin Williams, and William Hurt [2].

O’Heaney’s professional career spanned decades, beginning with significant stage work. She made her Broadway debut as an understudy in A Matter of Gravity, starring Katharine Hepburn, and later received critical acclaim for her performance in the off-Broadway revival of The Voice of the Turtle [1]. Her transition to television included a role in the 1978 Norman Lear comedy Apple Pie and a starring turn as Snow White in the first season of the ABC sitcom The Charmings [1]. In film, she appeared in projects ranging from Woody Allen’s Zelig to the 2013 thriller Late Phases [1].

Professional Milestones and Personal Interests

Throughout her life, O’Heaney was involved in a variety of creative pursuits beyond acting. In the mid-1970s, she was invited to model for Salvador Dalí at the St. Regis in New York, though the project was ultimately canceled [2]. Later in her career, she recorded an anti-war environmentalist song titled "Who Have We Freed?" with Pete Seeger and performed the track at various festivals [1].

Her friend Peter Davis, who recently worked with her on the short film Faith and Forgiveness, confirmed her passing [2]. While her filmography includes over 4,000 audition photos reviewed for He Knows You’re Alone and a wide array of guest spots on shows like St. Elsewhere and Matlock, no cause of death was revealed [2].