Susan Backlinie, the actress and stuntwoman best known as the first victim in Steven Spielberg’s *Jaws*, has passed away at 77. Her convention agent, Matthew Templeton, confirmed her passing and requested privacy for her family.
Backlinie gained fame at 28 when Spielberg recognized her exceptional swimming and diving abilities. Previously, she had worked with animals and performed as a mermaid in Florida. Spielberg, impressed by her unique skills, chose her for the iconic role in *Jaws*, stating, “I went to stunts to find the perfect stuntwoman, and Susan was up to the task.”