Welcome back to Matheusfeed, the site that tries every day to bring you as much information as possible. If this information is useful to you, don’t forget to share it in the groups you belong to! Thank you! Susan Backlinie, the talented actress and stuntwoman who rose to fame for playing the first person to be devoured by a shark in Steven Spielberg’s iconic film “Jaws,” has passed away at the age of 77. Backlinie’s convention agent, Matthew Templeton, confirmed the sad news, saying, “It is with heartfelt regret that we confirm that our beloved Susan passed away this morning.” He also expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of condolences and asked for privacy for the family during this difficult time. Backlinie’s road to fame began at the age of 28, when her exceptional swimming skills and professional diving experience caught the attention of Spielberg.
Before her big break, she had worked with animals and enjoyed water activities, including working as a mermaid at the Weeki Wachee Springs tourist attraction in Florida, as well as interacting with wild animals such as tigers and bears. With her unique skills, Backlinie approached Spielberg, knowing that her exceptional abilities would benefit the film’s authenticity. She suggested, “If you hire me, maybe you’ll get close-ups of the stunt itself. If you hire an actress, she’ll have to cover her face.” Spielberg recognized her potential, writing in Laurent Bouzerau’s book *Spielberg: The First Ten Years*, “I went to the stunts to find the perfect stuntwoman, and Susan was up to the task.” Backlinie spoke about her experience with Spielberg in a 2017 interview, revealing the director’s instruction before they shot the infamous scene.
“The first thing he said to me was, ‘When your scene is over, I want everyone under the seats with the popcorn and the gum,'” she recalled. Backlinie’s portrayal of Chrissie Watkins left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide, making “Jaws” one of the most enduring and terrifying films of all time. Backlinie’s death has sparked a flood of tributes on social media, with many focusing on her unforgettable role in “Jaws.” Jeffrey Kramer, who also appeared in the film, reflected, “Susan was a loving and kind person, and the Jaws community will miss her greatly.” Fans expressed their admiration for her performance, with one fan noting, “Her Chrissie Watkins in ‘Jaws’ had the most memorable leg pull in film history,” and another saying, “She did an incredible job scaring the entire world about the ocean.”
The impact of Backlinie’s role even extended beyond the entertainment world. One fan shared how her portrayal inspired his lifelong fascination with sharks, saying, “Susan will forever be remembered and immortalized as the first victim of the great white shark from ‘Jaws.'” As a child of 11, for some reason, I became interested in GW sharks. Now, at 61, I have cage dived in South Africa and Australia and recorded over 29 different GW sharks. Rest in peace, Susan, thank you, Susan.” Susan Backlinie will forever hold a special place in film history as the woman who fearlessly brought “Jaws” to life. Her talents and contributions to the film industry will be cherished by fans and cinema enthusiasts around the world. Rest in peace, Susan.
