Linda Blair (born January 22, 1959) is an American actress most famous for her role as the possessed child in the 1973 film The Exorcist and the sequel, Exorcist II: The Heretic.

Child Actress
As a young child, Linda Blair began her career by modeling, then later started acting in commercials, including one for Gulden's Mustard that ran for years. Blair had originally planned to become a doctor, but instead accepted a role in The Exorcist because money she would earn would allow her to pursue her interest in horsemanship, particularly show jumping. She was chosen over the very similar-looking Pamelyn Ferdin since the director wanted an unknown, and Miss Ferdin had already become quite visible following her performances in And The Children Shall Lead (Star Trek TOS episode) and Night Gallery.

"The Exorcist"
Based on William Peter Blatty's best-selling novel, "The Exorcist" was directed by William Friedkin, who had recently won the Oscar for directing The French Connection. The cast included Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller, Max Von Sydow and Kitty Wynn. Author Blatty both produced the film and wrote the screenplay.

Blair gave a strong, credible performance as the young girl possessed by the devil, and was an integral part of the film's phenomenal success. 'The Exorcist" opened in December of 1973 and soon was more than a hit film -- it was a media phenomenon. Lines at theaters went around the block, and people stood on line for hours to see the film if they didn't pass out or faint during the screenings. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Blair received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The film garnered a total of ten Academy Award nominations.

But on Oscar night, Best Picture went to George Roy Hill's nostalgic buddy movie, The Sting, and "The Exorcist" was virtually shut out, although it won awards for Blatty's screenplay and for Best Sound. Blair's chances for an Oscar were undeniably hurt by controversy that erupted when well-known actress Mercedes McCambridge revealed to the press that she had supplied the voice for the demon without getting screen credit, and another woman claimed to have been used as a body double for Blair in several scenes. The Oscar that year went to Tatum O'Neal for her performance in Peter Bogdanovich's Paper Moon.

After "The Exorcist"
At the age of 15, Blair dated, then lived with pop singer Rick Springfield, despite the ten year difference in their ages.¹

Following the success of 'The Exorcist,' Ms. Blair appeared in numerous controversial television films, including Born Innocent and Sarah T...Portrait Of A Teenage Alcoholic. She was also featured in the disaster film Airport '75. Adding to this list of disastrous films, her subsequent appearance in the failed sequel Exorcist II: The Heretic nearly cost Ms Blair her career.

According to an interview with McLaughlin's One On One, she experienced an uncontrollable weight gain over the next few years which was finally traced to a hormone deficiency which was corrected.

Adding to her troubles, in December of 1977, Ms Blair was arrested for conspiring to buy and distribute cocaine and for possessing amphetamines, eventually pleading guilty to possession charges and fined. She was also sentenced to three years probation, instructed to appear in several anti-drug commercials, and ordered to enter a nine month drug rehabilitation program.

Throughout the 1980's, Ms. Blair's career fell into decline, and she appeared in many minor films, often with a horror or slapstick comedy theme. Meanwhile, Linda returned to her first love of riding and showing horses, where she competed under pseudonyms in showjumping events and won numerous equestrian events.

During the early 1980s Ms Blair had a passionate relationship with singer Rick James, but left him when she could no longer handle his drug addiction. In 1978, as part of a plea bargain to avoid jail time, she was ordered to stay away from drugs after the December 1977 arrest.

In 1990, she reprised her Exorcist character in the spoof film Repossessed, in addition to reducing her appearances in lower budget movies and concentrating on TV work, including a guest spot on the 1992/93 season opener of the FOX series Married... with Children, making it the highest watched episode for the show to date.

In 1996, Blair had a brief uncredited cameo appearance in the box office smash Scream, in addition to winning wide acclaim for her performance in the 1997 stage revival of Grease.

In 2000, she appeared in the British teen show LA 7 featuring the popular pop group S Club 7, while starring in several independent movies. She also became host of Fox Family's series Scariest Places on Earth.

Linda Blair has long been active in charities involving prevention of cruelty to animals such as PETA and is a committed vegan.

Filmography
The Way We Live Now (1970)
The Sporting Club (1971)
The Exorcist (1973)
Airport 1975 (1974)
Sweet Hostage (1975)
Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
Summer Of Fear aka "Stranger In Our House" (1978)
Wild Horse Hank (1979)
Roller Boogie (1979)
Ruckus (1981)
Hell Night (1981)
Chained Heat (1983)
Savage Streets (1984)
Night Patrol (1984)
Red Heat (1985)
Savage Island (1985)
SFX Retaliator (1987)
Nightforce (1987)
Up Your Alley (1988)
Silent Assassins (1988)
Moving Target (1988)
Grotesque (1988) (also associate producer)
Witchery (1988)
The Chilling (1989)
Aunt Millie's Will (1989) (short subject)
W.B., Blue and the Bean (1989)
Zapped Again! (1990)
Bedroom Eyes II (1990)
Repossessed (1990)
Dead Sleep (1991)
Fatal Bond (1992)
Phone (1993) (short subject)
Bad Blood (1993)
Skins (1994) (also producer)
Double Blast (1994)
Sorceress (1995)
Prey of the Jaguar (1996)
Scream (1996)
Marina (1997) (short subject)
The Blair Bitch Project (1999) (short subject)
UnConventional (2004) (documentary)
Hitters Anonymous (2005)
Diva Dog: Pit Bull on Wheels (2005) (short subject)
All Is Normal (2006)