A major Hollywood star and his family are in mourning after suffering a heartbreaking loss.

Rita Carrey, an older sister of comedic movie star Jim Carrey, passed away on Friday, according to her husband, celebrity gossip site TMZ reported.

The cause of death for Rita has not been disclosed, and it doesn't appear that the famous actor has publicly commented on or responded to media questions about the loss of his sibling.

Death announced by grieving husband

In a Friday morning post to Rita Carrey's Facebook page, her husband Alex wrote, "It is with heavy heart and my deepest sadness, surrounded by her family and friends Rita passed away peacefully and quietly on November 14 2024."

"Rita and I (Alex) have been together for 16 years and we just got married last year in July in an outdoor wedding that she has always wanted," the message continued. "We travelled the world and met many people who we consider friends. Rita was my bestest friend, my lover and my beautiful wife."

"Rita always had a loving soul and wanted to help everyone even total strangers. As everyone knows Christmas was Rita’s favourite holiday actually it was everyday for her and she started a fundraiser to help a local charity," her husband said.

The post noted that a candlelight vigil for family and friends would be held in Rita's honor in the coming weeks and encouraged others to make donations in her memory to a charity for children she was affiliated with.

"It’s been a wonderful and crazy journey with Rita. She filled everyone’s heart with joy with every step she took and I will never forget this beautiful and amazingly talented woman," Alex concluded. "Goodbye my lover. Goodbye my friend. Until we meet again. You really did have the Time of your life. Your bestest friend and husband Alex."

A "tremendously generous person"

The New York Post reported that Rita Carrey, along with three other siblings including younger brother Jim, were born and raised near Toronto, Canada, where she continued to reside with her husband.

Rita was an entertainer like her brother, though instead of acting she pursued careers as an author, public speaker, and radio host, and also played in a rock band that bore her name.

TMZ noted that one of Rita's former radio co-hosts, Brian Salmon, praised her as a "tremendously generous person" and revealed that though she rarely of the connection to her famous celebrity brother, she did frequently collect props and memorabilia from Jim's movies that she would later auction off for charity.

Friend reveals she succumbed to a "lengthy illness"

The U.S. Sun reported that numerous friends and former colleagues offered condolences and tributes to Rita Carrey in response to the news of her death.

The only clue to what led to her passing came from her friend and TV host Bob Cowan, who said in a statement, "RIP Rita Carrey. My dear friend passed away yesterday from a lengthy illness."

"[Rita] was first and foremost a great Mom, a talented singer, radio host, and always proud big sis to [Jim Carrey]," he added. "I will forever miss her big laugh and smiles."