Welcome to Matheusfeed, the site that tries to provide you with as much information as possible every day. If you find this information useful, please remember to share it in the groups you belong to! Thank you! Susan Backlinie, the talented actress and stuntwoman who became famous for playing the first character to be devoured by a shark in Steven Spielberg’s iconic film, Jaws, has passed away at the age of 77. Backlinie’s agent, Matthew Templeton, confirmed the sad news by stating, “It is with deep regret that we confirm our beloved Susan passed away this morning.” He also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of condolences and calls for the family’s privacy during this difficult time. Backlinie’s path to fame began at the age of 28, when her exceptional swimming skills and professional diving experience caught Spielberg’s attention.

Before her big break, she had worked with animals and enjoyed water activities, including working as a mermaid at the tourist attraction Weeki Wachee Springs in Florida and interacting with wild animals such as tigers and bears. Thanks to her unique skills, Backlinie reached out to Spielberg, knowing that her exceptional abilities would contribute to the authenticity of the film. She suggested, “If you hire me, you could get close-ups of the stunt itself. If you hire an actress, she has to cover her face.” Spielberg recognized her potential and wrote in Laurent Bouzerau’s book *Spielberg: The First Ten Years*: “I went to the stunt people to find the perfect stuntwoman, and Susan was it.” Backlinie spoke about her experience with Spielberg in a 2017 interview, revealing the director’s instructions before filming the infamous scene. “The first thing he said to me was, ‘When your scene is done, I want everyone sitting under their seats with popcorn and chewing gum,'” she recalled.

Susan Backlinie’s portrayal of Chrissie Watkins left a lasting impression on audiences around the world, making *Jaws* one of the most enduring and terrifying films of all time. Her passing triggered an outpouring of tributes on social media, with many focusing on her unforgettable role in *Jaws*.

Jeffrey Kramer, who also appeared in the film, stated, “Susan was a loving and kind person, and she will be greatly missed by the *Jaws* community.” Fans expressed their admiration for her performance, with one noting, “Her Chrissie Watkins in *Jaws* had the most memorable leg kick in cinematic history,” while another remarked, “She did an amazing job terrifying the world about the ocean.”

The influence of Backlinie’s role extends even beyond the world of entertainment. Sharing how her performance inspired a lifelong fascination with sharks, one fan said, “Susan will forever be remembered and immortalized as the first major victim of the great white shark in *Jaws*. When I was 11, I was interested in GW sharks for some reason. Now, at 61, I’ve cage dived in South Africa and Australia and have recorded over 29 different GW sharks. Rest in peace, Susan, thank you, Susan. Susan Backlinie will always hold a special place in cinematic history as the woman who bravely brought *Jaws* to life. Her talents and contributions to the film industry will be appreciated by fans and cinephiles around the world. Rest in peace, Susan.