For plenty of '70s kids, any mention of The Exorcist will send a shiver down their spine. It's largely thanks to Linda Blair that the hit became such a cult classic of the horror genre, even if the neck-twisting star hasn't been seen on screen for years. Find out what she's been up to since scaring all of us silly as a child star...
© Getty ImagesLinda Blair was a crucial part of The Exorcist's horrifying success
Child stardom
Linda Blair gave plenty of viewers a fright as a 12-year-old girl whose strange behaviour and unnatural movements causes her mother grave concern in 1973 horror classic The Exorcist.
The now-beloved film raised many eyebrows as Linda was seen desecrating a crucifix and appearing to swear in raspy-voiced possession sequences, lines that were later recorded by Mercedes McCambridge and hauntingly layered with Linda's voice.
© Getty ImagesShe proved her continued star power into the '80s, '90s and mid '00s
Subsequent roles
After her star role in The Exorcist, Linda continued to act regularly until the mid-2000s. Apart from her horror hit, the actress is best known for projects like Savage Streets (1984), Repossessed (1990) and Hell Night (1981).
In 1977, she returned for The Exorcist II: The Heretic, but proved she didn't take her horror fame too seriously with 1990 parody Repossessed, in which she is – once again – possessed by a demonic entity.
© WireImage via Getty ImagesLinda stepped back from regular acting roles in 2008
Decision to step back
After a star role in 2008 house-sitting horror All Is Normal, Linda stepped back from fame for the most part, taking on just a handful of roles in recent years.
Her most recent credits include 2021 fantasy crime feature Landfill and a 2023 return to the franchise that brought her fame in The Exorcist: Believer, reprising her role from the original 1973 feature as Regan MacNeil in a short cameo.
© MediaPunch via Getty ImagesShe's been linked to several high profile romantic partners, including Wings Hauser
Personal life
Linda Blair has never been married and chose to prioritise her freedom and travel over having children. But the actress has had several high-profile relationships, including a romantic connection in the early '80s with Rick James that inspired hit track 'Cold Blooded'.
Between 1974 and 1976, she dated 'Jessie's Girl' singer Rick Springfield, a relationship that began when Linda was 15 and Rick was 25. She later dated actor and musician Wings Hauser through the early '90s.
© Getty Images for ABALinda is focussing on her health and charity work
Where is she now?
Today, Linda focuses her energy on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, a charity dedicated to rescuing abused dogs.
She also recently faced a health scare, being diagnosed in 2023 with Graves' disease, a condition causing an overactive thyroid, and has spent time ensuring her full recovery.
