Linda Blair, at just 13 years old, shocked and terrified audiences with her incredible performance as the demon-possessed Regan MacNeil in the legendary film, The Exorcist. But little did she know that this role would forever change her life. The movie itself was filled with controversy and unsettling themes that shook both the cast and crew. From its religious undertones that caused a stir in the church to the bone-chilling demonic imagery, The Exorcist had a profound impact on everyone involved. Let’s dive into Linda Blair’s journey and discover why she was never the same after the film.
Directed by William Friedkin, The Exorcist is a cinematic adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s bestselling novel, inspired by a true exorcism story from 1949. Released in 1973, the horror movie follows the disturbing tale of 12-year-old Regan MacNeil, whose increasingly erratic and violent behavior raises concerns. Her mother, portrayed by Ellen Burnstyn, initially seeks medical help, but when that fails, she turns to Father Damien Karras, played by Jason Miller, a Jesuit priest who confirms the presence of an evil spirit possessing Regan. In order to save her daughter, Karras pleads with the Catholic Church to perform an exorcism.
Despite its controversial content, The Exorcist became a box office sensation, winning multiple awards, including two Oscars. To this day, it remains one of the highest-grossing R-rated horror films of all time. For Linda Blair, this groundbreaking role marked the start of her ascent to superstardom. Although she began her career as a child model, appearing in various print ads and commercials, it was The Exorcist that truly launched her into the spotlight.
As a young teenager, Blair contemplated leaving acting to pursue a career involving animals. However, the irresistible allure of starring in The Exorcist persuaded her otherwise. During the audition process, director William Friedkin immediately recognized her talent and selected her over thousands of other hopefuls to portray Regan. Despite being a newcomer to the industry, Blair was never treated with kid gloves. She was expected to perform physically demanding and often dangerous tasks.
Filmed in the 1970s, before the advent of advanced special effects technology, the movie required its actors to physically embody the intense scenes. This left them vulnerable to injury and illness. One particularly grueling scene involved a possessed Father Karras tumbling down a treacherous flight of stairs to his death. A stuntman actually hurled himself down the 97 steps featured in the film.
Although Blair didn’t have to endure that specific challenge, the restraints that held her to the bed during her character’s thrashing scenes dug into her back. Additionally, her bedroom set, which was designed to shake, was kept at a bone-chilling negative 30 degrees. While the rest of the crew bundled up in appropriate attire, Blair wore only a thin nightgown. The difficulties and dangers of filming affected everyone on set.
The set of The Exorcist seemed to be plagued by misfortune and tragedy. Multiple deaths and accidents were linked to the production. One of the most shocking incidents occurred when a bird flew into a lightbox, triggering a massive fire that destroyed the entire set where Regan’s exorcism was supposed to take place. Production was subsequently halted for six weeks while the set was rebuilt.
The day before the fire, director William Friedkin asked Thomas Bermingham, a Jesuit priest and technical advisor who had guided William Peter Blatty during the writing of the Exorcist novel, to exorcise the set. While there wasn’t enough evidence to warrant a real exorcism, Bermingham blessed the entire cast and crew. However, tragedy continued to strike during production. Jack MacGowran, who portrayed Regan’s first victim Burke Dennings in the film, tragically succumbed to influenza and passed away. Vasiliki Maliaros, the actress playing Father Karras’ mother, also died before the movie’s release. Notably, both of their characters met a similar fate in The Exorcist. Unfortunately, other actors and crew members also experienced personal loss during the making of the film. In Blair’s case, her grandfather passed away during production.
A total of nine individuals connected to the film sadly died during its making. Despite the unsettling events surrounding the production, Blair, too young to fully comprehend the complexity and sensitivity of the film, remained unaffected by the mysterious occurrences. As she explained, “The Exorcist was a work of fiction. I didn’t realize at the time that it dealt with anything real.” However, not everyone saw it the same way. The religious themes in the film deeply impacted some viewers, and Blair became the target of those who believed the movie was responsible for their own spiritual crises. She even received death threats and accusations of glorifying Satan for her portrayal of Regan.
Navigating the press and public scrutiny was especially challenging for the young actress. During press conferences, Blair faced a barrage of questions from curious journalists seeking her perspective on the film’s controversial themes. As Blair later revealed, “The amount of pressure that came down on me wasn’t anything I was prepared for. Especially all the pressure the press put on me. They thought I had all the answers about faith and Catholicism. … It was probably the most awful thing you could imagine.”
The role of Regan continued to haunt Blair throughout her career. Despite her efforts to take on diverse roles and break free from the image of a helpless girl, she struggled to shake off the association with her iconic character. She starred in projects such as the 1974 TV drama Born Innocent, where she played a young girl fleeing an abusive family, and the lead role in Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic a year later. In an attempt to change industry perceptions, she appeared nude in the October 1982 issue of Oui magazine. Unfortunately, this move backfired and led to her being typecast in exploitation-style roles, derailing her career.
Returning to her passion for animals before The Exorcist, Blair established the Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected animals. Through her foundation, she continues to advocate for animals and fight against animal cruelty.
Despite her tireless activism and noble efforts, the shadow of The Exorcist still looms over Blair’s life. She expressed her frustration to The Sydney Morning Herald, saying, “What’s very discouraging at times is the inability of the media to look at what I’m trying to do… I’m sad, but I’m not mad at them.”
We can all agree that The Exorcist remains one of the most terrifying movies of all time. Even filmed in the 1970s, it still captivates and unnerves audiences. If you have seen the film, we would love to hear your thoughts and experiences!
