Jamie Lee Curtis: Grateful for Mother's Protection from Early Fame
Jamie Lee Curtis expressed gratitude for her mother, Janet Leigh, for protecting her from early fame and potential trauma by not allowing her to audition for "The Exorcist" when she was 12 years old. Curtis shared this story during an appearance on "The Drew Barrymore Show." She acknowledged that her mother wanted her to have a normal childhood, unlike Barrymore, who started acting at a young age in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" when she was just seven years old. Linda Blair ultimately landed the role of the possessed child, Regan, in "The Exorcist," earning an Academy Award nomination for her performance.
Despite missing out on "The Exorcist," Jamie Lee Curtis later became a prominent figure in the horror genre, gaining recognition for her role in the 1978 film "Halloween" at the age of 19. She continued to star in various horror films such as "The Fog," "Prom Night," and "Terror Train." Curtis recently reprised her iconic role as Laurie in the "Halloween" franchise with the release of "Halloween Ends" in 2022.