Susan Backlinie, who played first shark attack victim in Steven Spielberg's 1975 film 'Jaws,' dies at 77

Backlinie was a stuntwoman and actress sought out by Steven Spielberg for the movie's opening scene.

VENTURA, Calif. -- Susan Backlinie, who played the first shark attack victim in Steven Spielberg's 1975 film "Jaws," died over the weekend. She was 77.

According to The Daily Jaws, a website followed by major fans of the movie, Backlinie died over the weekend at her home in Ventura. A cause of death is unknown.
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"We are deeply saddened to share the news that JAWS star Susan Backlinie aka Chrissie Watkins passed away on Saturday 11th May 2024, aged 77," read a statement on the website.

Backlinie was a stuntwoman and actress sought out by Spielberg for the movie's opening scene. The director said he needed someone who was great in the water and could withstand a whole lot of shaking to set up the terror of what was to come.
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Susan Backlinie, who played first shark attack victim in 'Jaws,' dies at 77