Jamie Lee Curtis Almost Starred in The Exorcist as a Child

Jamie Lee Curtis recently shared a remarkable piece of Hollywood trivia. She discussed it on *The Drew Barrymore Show*. A producer approached her mother about an audition.The film was the 1973 adaptation of *The Exorcist*. Curtis was around 12 years old at the time. The producer thought the young girl would be perfect for the movie.He had seen Curtis at a social event. He was struck by her personality. He believed she could handle the intense role.The role was for Regan, the possessed child. It is one of the most infamous characters in horror history. The part ultimately went to actress Linda Blair.According to Curtis, her mother’s refusal was immediate. Janet Leigh was a Hollywood star herself. She famously starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s *Psycho*.Leigh understood the pressures of film sets. She wanted a normal life for her daughter. She protected Curtis from entering the industry too young.

How a Mother’s Protection Shaped a Horror Icon

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Looking back, Jamie Lee Curtis is profoundly grateful. She thanked her mother for the decision. She acknowledged that Barrymore did not have the same choice.Barrymore became a global star as a child in *E.T.* Curtis said her mother insisted on a protected childhood. That protection allowed Curtis to develop normally.She entered the film world on her own terms as a young adult. Her first major role was Laurie Strode in *Halloween*. That role defined her career and an entire genre.Curtis believes the *Exorcist* set would have been traumatic. The film’s production was notoriously difficult. It featured intense practical effects and dark themes.Starring in it at age 12 could have been overwhelming. Her mother’s instinct likely shielded her. That shielding allowed her passion for acting to grow naturally.This decision did not stop her horror legacy. It simply delayed it. She later embraced the Scream Queen title with pride and success.

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Jamie Lee Curtis’s career is deeply rooted in horror. After *Halloween*, she starred in *Prom Night* and *Terror Train*. She became the definitive final girl of her generation.She recently returned to the *Halloween* franchise. These films revitalized her iconic character. They brought her story to a new conclusion for modern audiences.Her career, however, spans comedy and drama as well. She won an Academy Award for *Everything Everywhere All at Once*. This shows her incredible range beyond scares.Yet her foundation is in horror. It is a genre she loves and respects. Missing *The Exorcist* did not change that path.It may have even strengthened her resolve. She built her legacy one scream at a time. And she did it when she was truly ready.

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The story of Jamie Lee Curtis and *The Exorcist* is a fascinating ‘what if’ in film history. Her mother’s choice ensured a childhood came before a career. That choice ultimately helped create the enduring horror icon we know today.

References: Reporting based on coverage from The Drew Barrymore Show and associated entertainment news reports.