Susan Backlinie, the first victim of the iconic shark in the classic film ‘Jaws,’ has passed away at the age of 77. Her portrayal of Chrissie Watkins, the young woman who falls prey to the terrifying predator in the opening scene of the movie, left a lasting impact on audiences around the world.
Backlinie’s performance was chilling and realistic, setting the tone for one of the most suspenseful and thrilling films in cinematic history. Her character’s harrowing demise served as a stark reminder of nature’s power and unpredictability, as well as humanity’s vulnerability in the face of such primal forces.
Her portrayal of fear and terror in that opening scene set the tone for one of the most suspenseful and thrilling movies in cinematic history. Backlinie's talent and dedication to her craft made her a beloved figure in Hollywood, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations of actors to come.
Her iconic role as Chrissie Watkins in Steven Speilberg’s 1975 film came when Backlinie was 28. She spent three days in rehearsal before being thrown around the sea by the fictional great white shark and then dragged under the waves.
As well as acting, she was a stuntwoman, nationally ranked swimmer and diver,animal trainer and mermaid performer at tourist attractions. This unique set of skills is partly what led Spielberg to cast her.
Backlinie’s career channeled into stunt work in films and TV. Some of her credits include The Great Muppet Caper, Day of the Animals, and the TV show The Fall Guy.
As the director described it in Bouzereau’s book: “She had a harness on. There were two eye rings in it and wires that led to two stakes on the beach [about 50 yards away]. Five crew were on one side and five crew on the other, and they basically pulled Susan. There was a ribbon hanging from the wire, and when it got to one of the stakes, they had to stop pulling and the other team took over and pulled the other way.
“What you didn’t want to have happen was for both teams to pull at the same time. For extra safety, she had the ability to quickly release the wire if something went wrong. It had to be perfectly choreographed to give the impression the shark was pulling her violently to the right and then immediately violently to the left.”
Backlinie is survived by her husband, Harvey Swindall. The pair lived together on a houseboat off the Ventura coast.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Swindall said her passing was 'very unexpected'.
He described his wife of nearly three decades as 'the most amazing person I've ever met in my life. And I've never loved anybody like her.'
Backlinie's booking agent, Matthew Templeton, confirmed her death and asked that fans respect the family's privacy.
Backlinie also appeared in a few television series, including “The Quest,” “Quark” and “The Fall Guy.” Other film credits include “The Grizzly & the Treasure” (1975), “A Stranger in My Forest” (1976) and “Day of the Animals” (1977).
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