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Susan Backlinie, Who Played the First Shark Attack Victim in ‘Jaws,’ Dies at 77


Susan Backlinie, who played the first shark attack victim in Steven Spielberg's 'Jaws,' has died. She was 77.

Backlinie died Saturday morning at her California home due to a heart attack, Convention All Stars owner Sean Clark confirmed to Variety. Backlinie was best known for her role as Chrissie Watkins in “Jaws,” who is dragged to her death by a killer shark in the 1975 film’s iconic opening scene. Contrary to widespread belief, Backlinie’s screams of anguish in the “Jaws” opening scene were not due to her being injured by the harness that jerked her back and forth.

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