Jamie Lee Curtis credits late mother, Hollywood icon Janet Leigh, for not allowing her to be part of “The Exorcist” and prioritising her well-being over a major film role.
The Oscar-winning actress shared when she was nearly 12 years old, her mother flatly refused the offer to let her audition for the role of Regan in the 1973 horror film as Janet wanted to prioritise her daughter's well-being over a major film role.
Directed by William Friedkin, "The Exorcist" was based on William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel. It revolved around a young possessed girl named Regan MacNeil.
"He called my mom and said, ‘Hey, I’m producing the movie of the book 'The Exorcist'. Will you let Jamie audition for it?'...And at the time I was probably 12 and, like, cute and kind of sassy and I had some personality, and I’m sure he saw me at a party and was like, ‘Oh, she’d be funny.’ And my mother said, ‘No.'”
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"My mom really wanted me to have a childhood, which I understand you didn’t get. You didn’t get that option," the "A Fish Called Wanda" actor said on “The Drew Barrymore Show”.
Actor Linda Blair eventually landed the role in the film, which she later went on to reprise in the sequel titled "Exorcist II: The Heretic". Filmmaker John Boorman directed the film.
Curtis made her acting debut in the 1978 horror film "Halloween". The film was directed by Laurie Strode.
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