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.”
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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 Backlin’s departure marks the end of an era for both Hollywood and fans of Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Her portrayal of Chrissie Watkins, the first victim of a great white shark in the 1975 blockbuster, left an indelible mark on cinema history. Her performance not only set the tone for the entire film but also created a widespread fear of the ocean that continues to this day. In addition to Jaws, Backlin’s talents extended to her work as a stuntwoman and animal caretaker, where she showcased her versatile skills in and out of the water.
Her death at the age of 77 is a loss deeply felt by the Jaws fan community, many of whom remember her as an iconic character whose role terrified and captivated audiences across generations. The outpouring of tributes, from fans and colleagues alike, reflects how profoundly she influenced the world of film. As one of the pioneers of stunt work for women, she paved the way for future performers and proved that strength, grace, and fearlessness are not limited to male-dominated fields.
Susan’s legacy will live on through her work, especially her role in Jaws, which remains one of the most memorable scenes in film history. Her contribution to film helped shape the horror genre, and her spirit will continue to inspire fans and future actors alike.