Susan Backlinie, first victim in 'Jaws,' dies aged 77

The actress played Chrissie Watkins, the first victim in Steven Spieldberg’s ‘Jaws.’

Actress and stuntwoman, Susan Backlinie, who played the first shark attack victim in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jaws,’ has passed away at the age of 77. 

Backlinie was found dead at her California home, confirmed by her agent Sean Clark while speaking to The New York Times. 

The actress died of a heart attack, according to Clark.

Steven Spielberg’s 1975 thriller, ‘Jaws,’ features the actress Backlinie as Chrissie Walkins, a skinny dipper, who becomes the first on reel victim of the monstrous shark.

Backlinie was secured to a harness. It was reported that the metal plates were stitched into the sides of the actress' pair of jeans with cables attached to them. 

The scene becomes suspenseful when Walkins is pulled under the water. 

She screams while being forcefully thrashed by the white shark. 

Backlinie, desperate for her life, tries clinging to a clanging buoy but unfortunately gets pulled inside the water. 

Susan's scream and reaction captured in that scene was reportedly genuine and real since, frustrated with inauthentic takes, Spielberg had asked the diver to yank Blacklinie underwater unexpectedly.