Linda Blair Linda Blair Linda Denise Blair (born January 22, 1959) is an American actress, film producer and animal rights activist. Blair is best known for her role as the possessed child, Regan, in the film "The Exorcist" (1973), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe. She reprised her role in "" (1977), for which she was nominated for a Saturn Award. Blair would go on to star in numerous controversial dramatic television films, such as "Born Innocent" (1974) and "Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic" (1975) before establishing herself as a sex
Linda Blair Now" (1970), followed by a bit part in the comedy "The Sporting Club" (1971). In 1972, Blair was selected from a field of 600 applicants for her most notable role as Regan, the possessed daughter of a famous actress, in William Friedkin's "The Exorcist" (1973). The role earned her a Golden Globe and People's Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress as well as an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Film critic and historian Mark Clark notes that in her performance, "Blair matches [adult co-star] Ellen Burstyn note-for-note." Despite the film's critical successes, Blair received media scrutiny for her