Posted on 05/12/2024 1:02:33 PM PDT by Morgana
Actress and stuntwoman Susan Backlinie, perhaps best known as the first shark attack victim in 'Jaws,' has died.
Backlinie, 77, died at her home in Ventura, California, her booking agent Matthew Templeton confirmed. No cause of death has been determined.
In addition to her career on the silver screen, Backlinie was a nationally ranked swimmer and professional diver.
Before she was brought onto 'Jaws' at 28 years old, she had worked as an animal trainer and performed as a mermaid.
She played Chrissie Watkins in Steven Spielberg's iconic 1975 film and spent three days rehearsing the opening scene, in which she is thrashed around by a great white before vanishing beneath the waves.
She later appeared in Spielberg's '1941' to parody the scene that launched her into stardom. This time, instead of being eaten by a shark, she is picked up by a Japanese submarine.
Some of her other credits include 'Two-Minute Warning,' The Great Muppet Caper,' 'Day of the Animals' and the television series 'The Fall Guy.'
'It is with heartfelt regret to confirm our beloved Susan passed away this morning,' Templeton said in a statement to The Daily Jaws, a fan site dedicated to the film.
'We would like to thank everyone for their condolences at this time. Please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I knew a paraplegic that in the 70s was able to build his own TV from a Heathkit too.
Jabs not Jaws?
“A natzi! I knew it! You’re all in cahoots!”
Over there, over there..
SNL’s Landshark?
When you enter the ocean you enter the food chain.
Candygram.
Well, she was what caught the attention of most of the teen-aged boys watching the movie...
This movie scared the crap out of me. Now it’s laughable of why it scared the crap out of me.
Can't believe I used to surf not far from the pier at Jax Beach. "If you see dophins, then it's safe!" My friends all said. And one afternoon while we were surfing some guy on the pier landed a huge hammerhead.
I don't go in the ocean above waist high anymore. Even Pemaquid is sketchy.
But on the topic of "Jaws" I did get to watch the movie a couple of years ago at Tanglewood, with the BSO playing Williams' brilliant soundtrack score live. It is just a perfect movie.
I dusted off my DVD just last Weekend!
Wild Bill Kelso was the reason But I agree that when the House fell off the Cliff my ears were thanking Me !
.
“That Radio Is WRONG !”
1911 joins in-——HA!
I spent my teen years surfing the beaches of south Brevard and Indian River counties it wasn’t unusual to see the the sharks in the waves from shore.
Never surf with schooling baitfish.
Landshark!
77 is the new 90.
😂 ... agree.
The movie made me proud that as Coasties, back in the 60’s, we made advances toward destroying the shark population.
Wake me up when whoever it was that played the shark dies.
Bled to death ?
Jabbed?
Small ones (3-4 feet)are fun catching and good eating.
Just bleed them out while still alive.
When they leave the ocean they enter the food chain.
Her remarkable and intense performance scared generations from swimming out too far
in the ocean ever again .
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