The 'Exorcist' Audition That Never Happened
Jamie Lee Curtis was a 'cute and sassy' 12-year-old when producer Ray Stark, a family friend, saw potential in her for The Exorcist. He called Janet Leigh directly: 'Hey, I’m producing the movie of the book The Exorcist. Will you let Jamie audition for it?' Leigh's immediate 'No' protected her daughter from the grueling role that defined Linda Blair's career.
Curtis reflected on The Drew Barrymore Show, contrasting her experience with child stars like host Drew Barrymore, who lacked such safeguards. 'My mom really wanted me to have, thank God, a childhood,' she said, crediting this for her grounded entry into acting years later.
This story, reported across outlets on December 28, 2025, highlights Leigh's legacy of maternal wisdom, informed by her own horror icon status in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho.
From 'Scream Queen' to Oscar Winner
Instead of demonic possession, Curtis's breakout came as Laurie Strode in John Carpenter's 1978 Halloween, cementing her as horror royalty. Over nearly 100 credits, she excelled in genres from action in True Lies to comedy in Freaky Friday.
Her 2023 Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once marked a career pinnacle at age 64, proving her versatility. Today, she produces and stars in Freakier Friday, reviving 2003 nostalgia with Lohan.
Advocacy and Modern Projects
Curtis champions progressive causes, stating in 2025, 'We're going to have to take to the streets again' for rights post-Roe v. Wade overturn. As a mother to trans daughter Ruby Guest, she faces threats but remains vocal.
Insisting Freakier Friday film in fire-ravaged California locations honors Los Angeles heritage. Despite losses like the original house burning down, Curtis views the project as a 'love letter' to the city and fans.