Award-Winning Actress Lisa Banes Dies At 65 In Hit-And-Run

In early June, Lisa Banes was struck by a scooter and sustained a traumatic brain injury
On June 14, Banes succumbed to her injuries from the hit-and-run at the age of 65
No arrests have yet been made

At the age of 65, award-winning theater and film actress Lisa Banes has died. She was struck by a scooter in a hit-and-run along the Upper West Side. She succumbed to her injuries on Monday, June 14 during what had been her first visit to New York since the pandemic.

Her accolades include a nomination for a Drama Desk Award in for Isn’t it Romantic? (1984), and winning a Theatre World Award for Look Back in Anger (1981). She also gained prominence in the film world through Gone Girl (2014) and, most recently, 2016’s A Cure for Wellness.

Lisa Banes is killed in a hit-and-run

PUMPKIN, Lisa Banes, Christina Ricci, 2002
(c) United Artists. Courtesy Everett Collection.

A Los Angeles resident, Lisa Banes took this summer to make her first visit to NYC since COVID-19 lockdown restrictions took effect. On the day of the incident, which occurred on June 4, Banes was on her way to meet with her wife Kathryn Kranhold so the two could attend a dinner party.

Then, at West 64th and Amsterdam Avenue, a red and black scooter struck Banes, according to testimony from friends and reports from police. This resulted in a traumatic brain injury from which Banes could not recover.

As of June 14, no arrests have been made of the driver, whose scooter was last seen northbound on Amsterdam Avenue.

Mourning the loss of a beloved talent and woman

My Lisa. Our #lisabanes Our huge loss. pic.twitter.com/lAYRnn5TKv

— Kathryn Kranhold (@kkranhold) June 15, 2021

Already, those who knew Lisa Banes are mourning her passing and sharing memories from their personal life, career, and sometimes both. Her wife, Kranhold, shared photos on Twitter with the somber caption, “My Lisa. Our #lisabanes Our huge loss.”

This is how I will always remember Lisa Banes. We shared a cottage in San Diego, 1982, SD Old Globe Shakespeare Festival. Our first dinner in our little house as we struggled to cook dinner! With Lisa everything was an adventure. pic.twitter.com/AFX2XfZBR1

— Kevin Conroy (@RealKevinConroy) June 15, 2021

Fellow actor Kevin Conroy, 65, shared memories of boarding with Banes in San Diego, writing, “This is how I will always remember Lisa Banes” of the 1982 photo. “Our first dinner in our little house as we struggled to cook dinner! With Lisa everything was an adventure.” Another tweet of his also reads, “When Lisa entered a room or walked onto a stage she brought electricity. Such a beautiful, unique, talented woman. Life is so brief.”

I am deeply saddened at the news of Lisa Banes’ passing. We had the good fortune to work with her on The Orville this past year. Her stage presence, magnetism, skill and talent were matched only by her unwavering kindness and graciousness toward all of us. A tremendous loss…

— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) June 15, 2021

Ted actor Seth MacFarlane shared, “I am deeply saddened at the news of Lisa Banes’ passing. We had the good fortune to work with her on The Orville this past year,” referring to his new science-fiction dramedy series. “Her stage presence, magnetism, skill and talent were matched only by her unwavering kindness and graciousness toward all of us. A tremendous loss…” Indeed, the world loss a commanding presence and endearing spirit. Rest in peace, Lisa Banes.