The 53-year-od US actor, who starred in films including Donnie Brasco, Catfight and the remake of Psycho, did not regain consciousness after a car crash on 5 August
The news was confirmed by a representative for her family to the US online media outlet TMZ, who said in a statement:
“We have lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend. Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy.
“Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact.”
On Friday afternoon TMZ had reported Heche was “brain dead”, which under California law is the definition of death. It was announced earlier in the day Heche would be taken off of life support.
Earlier a friend of the actor, Nancy Davis, wrote on Instagram: “Heaven has a new Angel. My loving, kind, fun, endearing and beautiful friend @anneheche went to heaven. I will miss her terribly and cherish all the beautiful memories we have shared.
“Anne was always the kindest, most thoughtful person who always brought out the best in me … My heart is broken.”
Heche was 53 and had two sons.
“Anne Heche was a wildly talented actress who endured more horror than anyone should have to,” wrote the respected film historian Mark Harris on Twitter.
Harris linked to a 2009 profile of the actor, which detailed her traumatic childhood. “She deserves to be remembered with compassion.”
Heche, an actor of sharp intelligence, rose to prominence in the early 1990s, playing twins on the soap Another World, and with film roles, including the part of Laura in Nicole Holofcener’s debut feature, Walking and Talking.
Her first major role was as Johnny Depp’s girlfriend in gangster drama Donnie Brasco (1997).
In the same year she was cast in other enduring titles: political satire Wag the Dog, disaster movie Volcano and slasher classic I Know What You Did Last Summer.
