‘Cocktail’ actress Lisa Banes, 65, dies after tragic hit-and-run

American actress Lisa Banes, who appeared in the movie Gone Girl and played Tom Cruise’s older love interest in 1988’s Cocktail, has tragically died after a hit-and-run incident in New York City. She was 65.

Her representative confirmed the news to Entertainment Tonight on Monday, saying, “We’re are heartsick over Lisa’s tragic and senseless passing. She was a woman of great spirit, kindness, and generosity and dedicated to her work, whether on stage or in front of a camera and even more so to her wife, family and friends. We were blessed to have had her in our lives.”

According to a news.com.au report, Banes was on her way to meet her wife Kathryn Kranhold for a dinner party on Friday, June 4, when she was struck by a person on a scooter while walking down a street. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and was taken to hospital. After a 10-day battle, Banes passed away on Monday.

“The scooter then fled the location, continuing northbound,” the New York Police Department said in a statement on Monday night, the BBC reports. “There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.”

Her wife has since paid tribute on Twitter, writing: “My Lisa. Our #lisabanes. Our huge loss.”

pic.twitter.com/GxZAgKwa4x

— Kathryn Kranhold (@kkranhold) June 15, 2021

Actor and director Seth MacFarlane said her death was “a tremendous loss”. “I am deeply saddened at the news of Lisa Banes’ passing,” he tweeted. “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.”

Fans also took to social media to pay their respects, with Twitter user @TryingNot2Panic commenting, “Truly tragic. Such a lovely actress.” And @BohnettCam tweeted, “I remember her on [TV series] China Beach! When I was a kid I was OBSESSED [with] China Beach. I still think about it today, and I’m 47.”