One of the most iconic movie scenes of all time is the terrifying opening of Steven Spielberg’s horror classic Jaws, wherein a young female swimmer is ruthlessly devoured by the film’s killer shark during a solo night swim. That swimmer was Susan Backlinie, forever immortalized on the silver screen as the ill-fated Chrissie Watkins in one of the greatest movies ever made.
We are saddened to learn that Susan Backlinie has passed away at the age of 77.
An actress and stuntwoman, Susan Backlinie appeared in a handful of movies in the wake of her unforgettable big screen debut in Jaws, including The Grizzly & the Treasure (1975), Two-Minute Warning (1976), A Stranger in My Forest (1976), Day of the Animals (1977), 1941 (1979), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), and Catalina C-Club (1982). She also appeared in episodes of “The Quest,” “Quark” and “The Fall Guy,” in addition to working as a stunt performer for the 1979 movie The Villain and later the 1981 movie Image of the Beast.
The aforementioned 1941 was of course directed by Steven Spielberg, and Susan Backlinie appeared in the 1979 film to spoof her already iconic death scene from the opening of Jaws.
Susan Backlinie is survived by her husband, Harvey Swindall.
If you’re scared to go swimming, it’s probably because of Jaws. More specifically, because of Susan Backlinie’s legendary contribution to the film. One that will ensure she lives on forever.
The post Original ‘Jaws’ Actor Susan Backlinie Has Passed Away appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.