Movies - TV
How The Exorcist Permanently Changed Linda Blair
By DESHAWN "DELA DOLL" THOMAS
Linda Blair was just 14 years old when "The Exorcist" was released in 1973. The young actress blew audiences away with her performance as possessed preteen Regan MacNeil.
However, the role became an inescapable source of frustration that ultimately hindered her career. Blair also endured physical and mental trauma during and after filming.
During one of the possession scenes, which is featured in the film's final cut, Blair was strapped to a mechanically rigged bed and suffered a lower spine fracture.
Additionally, director William Friedkin insisted on shooting many scenes in sub-zero temperatures to generate genuine discomfort and capture the actors' breath on camera.
As Blair's character is nothing more than a nightgown, so the actress had to endure freezing temperatures throughout her performance.
Friedkin also sometimes fired a gun before takes to elicit real scares and create an atmosphere of unease and anxiety throughout the filming process.
After the movie premiered, reporters engaged in invasive speculation about Blair's mental health, leading to unfounded claims that she'd suffered a mental breakdown while filming.
Blair delivered such a shockingly convincing performance that Christian evangelist Billy Graham declared the film was tainted by the influence of the Devil.
She began receiving death threats and hate mail claiming that she was "glorifying Satan" and was bombarded with questions about the film's existential and spiritual content.
Though Blair found small roles in TV and movies, she was typecast as a victim. Blair shifted her focus to animal rights activism and founded the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation.