"Jaws" stuntwoman Susan Backlinie dies at 77, remembered for iconic role

Susan Backlinie, renowned for her role in the iconic shark attack scene in Steven Spielberg's "Jaws," passed away at 77. Her husband disclosed the cause of her death.

On May 11, Susan Backlinie died at the age of 77 in her California home. Her agent, Matthew Templeton, announced the news. Later, her husband, Harvey Swindall, shared that she succumbed to a heart attack. Speaking to TMZ, he expressed his profound loss, referring to her as "the most amazing person."

Backlinie's cinematic career was marked predominantly by her work as a stuntwoman, but her role in "Jaws" (1975) immortalized her. She played the first shark victim, a girl who naively wades into the sea for a swim. The shooting of this sequence remains notable for its complexity; Backlinie was under the water, wearing jeans with lines attached to them. These lines, pulled by special effects technicians using a pulley system, added a chilling realism to the shark attack.

Contrary to rumours, Backlinie was never at risk of drowning during the shoot. Director Spielberg, aiming for genuine fright, refrained from informing her of her impending submersion. His strategy to elicit an authentic reaction was indeed successful.

Last year, Backlinie recounted the gruelling efforts required for some of "Jaws'" key water scenes. She endured up to 14 hours of underwater filming per day over three days off Martha's Vineyard, starting early in the morning around 6 or 7 AM EST and wrapping up by 9 PM EST, largely to capitalize on daylight. Despite the exhaustion, the experience remained a positive memory, she recalled.

Nonetheless, Backlinie appreciated the impact of her role, enjoying anecdotes from people who avoided the water for years because of "Jaws." It's a testament to the lasting influence of her performance.

But Backlinie's contribution to the cinema doesn't stop with starring in a historical film. "Jaws" was pivotal in shaping the concept of blockbusters—big-budget films released by major studios typically during the summer, despite its modest budget of about CA$12 million. Initially green-lit with a budget of CA$4.7 million, the film's costs eventually soared. Nonetheless, this investment proved fruitful, as "Jaws" reigned as the highest-grosssing movie for two years, not accounting for inflation.