Actress and stuntwoman Susan Backlinie, who played the first shark-eating victim in the movie Jaws, has died.
On Saturday, Backlinie died at his home in Ventura, California. She was seventy-seven years old.
Her congressional agent Matthew Templeton confirmed the story to The Daily Jaws.
“It is with sincere regret that we confirm that our beloved Susan passed away this morning,” he said.
“We appreciate all the sympathy we have received during this time.
“Please respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.”
Her most famous performance was in Steven Speilberg’s 1975 film Jaws, starring Chrissie Watkins.
A nationally recognized swimmer and professional diver played the victim of skinny-dipping at the age of 28.
Backlinie worked with water and animals for a while before being discovered by film.
The stuntwoman had experience working with a variety of wild creatures, including tigers and bears, and was employed as a mermaid at the Weeki Wachee Springs tourist attraction in Florida.
Knowing that Spielberg would be interested in something that no other actress could provide, Backlinie went ahead with her debut film.
“If you hire me, you can get close-ups of the stunt itself. The filmmaker was informed by him that “if you hire an actress, she will have to cover her face.”
Spielberg stated, “I went into stunts to find the perfect stuntwoman, and Susan nailed it,” according to Laurent Bouzerau’s Spielberg: The First Ten Years.
In a 2017 interview, Backlinie discussed what Spielberg instructed her to do before filming the famous moment.
“The first thing he said to me was, ‘When your scene is done, I want everyone to have popcorn and gum under their seats,'” Post said.
The actress and stuntwoman has received a lot of praise on social media, with particular attention being paid to her character Jaws.
The show’s other Susan, Jeffrey Kramer, commented, “She will be greatly missed by the Jaws community. Susan was a loving and kind person.”
“He has a special place in our hearts.
On X (formerly Twitter), a fan wrote: “May Susan Backlinie rest in peace. It was her Chrissie Watkins from ‘Jaws’ who did the most memorable footwork in movie history.”
“She has to go down in film history,” exclaimed another admirer, while a third declared: “She did an incredible job that made the whole world fear the ocean.”
Many praised her, calling her a “class act” and a “scream queen legend”.
One man even claimed that her participation helped him in his lifelong pursuit of shark sightings.
When a fan posted about Susan’s passing on The Daily Jaws, they said: “Susan will forever be remembered and immortalized as the first victim of the great white shark of Jaws fame.”
“As a kid of 11, it got me interested in GW sharks for some reason.
“I’m 61 now, cage dived in South Africa and Australia and caught 29 different sharks GW, rip Susan, thank you, Susan.
Susan Backlinie leaves behind a legacy that goes far beyond her iconic role in Jaws. As the first victim of a great white shark, she delivered one of the most memorable scenes in cinema history, sending chills down the spines of audiences and forever changing the way we perceive the ocean. Her work in Jaws not only contributed to the film’s monumental success but also earned her a special place in the hearts of fans around the world.
However, her influence was not limited to just one film. Backline’s career as a stuntwoman and animal caretaker has shown her versatility and courage in a demanding industry. Her ability to work with animals such as bears and tigers, as well as her experience as a professional diver, showed a rare talent that added authenticity to her performances.
The tributes pouring in from fans and colleagues are a testament to how deeply Susan touched the lives of those who knew her, and even those who knew her only from the screen. As the first victim of a great white shark in Čelistich, she was immortalized in the cinema. But Susan will always be remembered by her fans as more than just an actress – she was a trailblazer in her field and a first-rate actor on and off screen. Her passing is a great loss, but her contribution to the world of film and her charm will be remembered for years to come.