May 13th 2024.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of actress Susan Backlinie at the age of 77. Perhaps best known for her role as the first victim of the killer shark in the iconic film Jaws, Backlinie suffered a fatal heart attack at her home in Ventura, California.
Backlinie was just 28 years old when she landed the role of Chrissie in Steven Spielberg's 1975 thriller. Her performance as the unfortunate swimmer who falls prey to the terrifying great white shark left audiences on the edge of their seats. However, it wasn't just her acting skills that caught Spielberg's attention - she also had an impressive background as a stuntwoman, nationally ranked swimmer and diver, animal trainer, and mermaid performer at tourist attractions. This unique combination of talents is what convinced Spielberg to cast her in the film.
In an interview with Laurent Bouzereau for his book Spielberg: The First Ten Years, Spielberg admitted, "I didn't want an actor to do it. I wanted a stuntperson because I needed somebody who was great in the water, who knew water ballet and knew how to endure what I imagined was going to be a whole lot of violent shaking." And Backlinie certainly rose to the challenge, impressing Spielberg with her bravery and skill.
The now-famous opening scene of Jaws, in which Backlinie's character is chased along the beach by a drunk admirer before meeting her gruesome fate, is etched in the minds of viewers. But what many may not know is that Backlinie was not only acting, but also enduring a physically demanding and grueling process. She would start filming as early as 6 or 7am and not wrap until 9pm, often being pulled in different directions on cables to create the illusion of a shark attack. And to make matters more intense, she was not always warned when she would be plunged into the water, leading to a genuine and terrifying reaction on screen.
But despite the challenges, Backlinie was proud of her work in Jaws and admired Spielberg's vision for the film. In an interview with Palm Beach Post, she shared, "The first thing [Spielberg] said to me was, 'When your scene is done, I want everyone under the seats with the popcorn and bubblegum' - so, I think we did that."
It's no surprise that Backlinie's performance in Jaws launched her into stardom, with her unique combination of talents and natural charisma making her a standout in Hollywood. She went on to appear in other Spielberg films, including 1941 where she filmed a hilarious parody of her infamous Jaws scene, this time being picked up by a Japanese submarine. She also had roles in Day of the Animals, Two-Minute Warning, and The Great Muppet Caper. On television, she appeared in Quark and The Fall Guy, which was the inspiration for the recent film starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.
Backlinie's husband, Harvey Swindall, confirmed her passing and described her as the most amazing person he had ever met, saying, "I've never loved anybody like her." And while her role in Jaws will forever be remembered, Backlinie's legacy extends far beyond that one iconic film. She was a talented and versatile actress, a skilled stuntwoman, and a beloved wife and friend to many. Rest in peace, Susan. Your talent and spirit will be greatly missed.
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