Jamie Lee Curtis Was Almost Cast In ‘The Exorcist’ Before Her Mother Intervened

Hollywood legend Jamie Lee Curtis recently opened up about a major turning point in her childhood that could have changed horror history. The actress revealed during an appearance on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ that she was once in the running for the lead role in ‘The Exorcist’. A producer for the film was interested in seeing her audition for the possessed child Regan MacNeil. However her famous mother Janet Leigh stepped in to prevent the audition from ever happening.

The situation began when producer Ray Stark noticed the young Jamie Lee Curtis at a social gathering. He saw a twelve year old girl who was cute and sassy with a big personality. Stark called Janet Leigh to ask if she would allow her daughter to read for the part. He believed Jamie had the right energy to play the character in the upcoming adaptation of the bestselling novel. Janet Leigh immediately shut down the request without hesitation.

Curtis explained to host Drew Barrymore that her mother wanted to protect her innocence. Janet Leigh insisted that her daughter deserved to have a normal childhood away from the pressures of the film industry. Jamie Lee Curtis expressed immense gratitude for that protective decision decades later. She told Barrymore that she was lucky to have a parent who prioritized her well-being over fame. This was a poignant moment as Barrymore herself had started her acting career when she was only seven years old.

The role of Regan MacNeil eventually went to Linda Blair who delivered an iconic performance. Blair was fourteen when she filmed the movie and she suffered greatly for the art. She sustained a fractured spine during the production which led to scoliosis and chronic pain. The young actress also faced death threats and stalking after the film became a cultural phenomenon. Jamie Lee Curtis acknowledged that avoiding that level of trauma was a blessing for her young self.

It is ironic that Jamie Lee Curtis was kept away from one horror classic only to become the face of another. She made her big screen debut at age nineteen in John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween’. Her portrayal of Laurie Strode launched a massive franchise and cemented her status as the ultimate scream queen. She admitted that she was not ready for the horror genre at age twelve but found her footing later as a young adult. The path she took allowed her to mature before facing the spotlight.

Reflecting on the past helps fans appreciate the careful choices that shape a career. Janet Leigh knew the toll that a movie like ‘The Exorcist’ could take on a child. Her refusal allowed Jamie Lee Curtis to grow up privately before choosing the actor’s life on her own terms. The decision ultimately gave the world two distinct horror icons in Curtis and Blair.

Tell us if you think Jamie Lee Curtis would have made a good Regan MacNeil in the comments.