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Jamie Lee Curtis Says Janet Leigh Blocked Her From 'The Exorcist' Audition at 12

Curtis credits Janet Leigh's refusal with preserving her childhood.

Overview

  • Speaking on The Drew Barrymore Show, Curtis recalled producer Ray Stark asking Leigh to let her audition to play Regan MacNeil in the 1973 film.
  • Leigh declined the request, which Curtis now describes as protective parenting that spared her early industry pressures.
  • Linda Blair ultimately played Regan and received an Academy Award nomination for the performance.
  • Curtis did not make her screen debut until age 19 with 1978's Halloween, a role that cemented her status in the horror genre.
  • Some outlets report Scarlett Johansson is attached to a planned Exorcist reboot from Mike Flanagan and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, a development not officially confirmed in this interview.