Linda Blair

Child actress who earned an Academy Award nomination at age 14 for 'The Exorcist.'

Selected from a field of 600 applicants at age thirteen, Linda Blair secured the role of Regan MacNeil in William Friedkin's 1973 horror film The Exorcist. This performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and an Academy Award nomination, establishing her as a significant figure in American horror cinema during her early teenage years.

Early Career and Commercial Work

Born in St. Louis in 1959, Blair moved to Westport, Connecticut, at age two. Her professional life began at five as a child model, appearing in advertisements for JCPenney, Sears, and Macy's, alongside over 70 commercials for companies like Welch's. She initiated her acting career with a regular role on the soap opera Hidden Faces before transitioning to theatrical films like The Way We Live Now and The Sporting Club.

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The Exorcist and Media Scrutiny

Following the release of The Exorcist in December 1973, Blair faced intense public and media scrutiny. Reports speculated about her mental state, forcing Warner Bros. to launch an international press tour to demonstrate she was a normal teenager. Despite the film's success, she encountered significant controversy, including death threats and criticism regarding the content of the film.

Television and Exploitation Cinema

Blair pursued a variety of roles in the 1970s and 1980s. She appeared in television films such as Born Innocent, Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic, and Stranger in Our House. In 1979, her role in Roller Boogie repositioned her as a sex symbol. Her later career included exploitation titles like Hell Night, Chained Heat, and Savage Streets, which garnered her multiple Razzie Award nominations and wins during the mid-1980s.

Animal Advocacy and Foundation Work

Beyond her film career, Blair shifted her focus to animal rights activism. A trained equestrian who once competed under the pseudonym Martha McDonald, she applied this interest to her philanthropic efforts. In 2004, she founded the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of animals. Her later television work included hosting the series Scariest Places on Earth and appearances on Pit Boss.