Susan Backlinie (born September 1, 1946, in Miami, Florida – died May 11, 2024) was an American actress, stuntwoman, and animal trainer. She was known for her role as Chrissie Watkins, the first shark victim in Steven Spielberg's Jaws (1975), a scene that became iconic.
Before acting, she worked as a stuntwoman and was recognized for handling wild animals, especially bears. She also appeared in Day of the Animals (1977), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), and Spielberg's comedy 1941. Later, she retired from Hollywood and worked as an animal trainer in Florida.
United States
