Actress Susan Backlinie of Jaws fame died Saturday at the age of 77.
Backlinie died of a heart attack in her California home, her agent Sean Clark told reporters.
Jaws’s iconic opening scene, where she is attacked and killed by the great white shark, is credited to Backlinie’s acting chops. The stunt was not choreographed, so Backlinie’s screams sound genuine when she is pulled under the water. Additionally, she was harnessed and pulled in all directions. Co-star Richard Dreyfuss said in the documentary Jaws: The Inside Story that director Steven Spielberg later recorded her screams by pouring water in her mouth.
After the 1975 release of Backlinie’s debut film, she had roles in films such as The Great Muppet Caper and Day of the Animals. Backlinie reprised her role in Spielberg’s spoof film 1941. Her most recent role was in the series The Fall Guy in 1982.
Backlinie was a freestyle swimming state champion at Forest Hill High School. She took her swimming capabilities to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where she worked as an underwater mermaid performer.
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The actress’s death comes just a year before the 50th anniversary of Jaws, an event that is typically celebrated at the filming location of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. She attended the 30th anniversary in 2005.
Backlinie is survived by her husband, Harvey Swindall.
