Jaws actress Susan Backlinie, who played Shark’s first victim, has died aged 77

The longtime actress and stuntwoman passed away Saturday morning at her home in Ventura, California…according to Matthew Templeton, the agent who handled her convention bookings. He says the cause of death has not yet been determined.

SB started in the acting world in 1975 with the role of Chrissie Watkins Steven Spielbergis a shark film. She’s the woman who dives naked in the sea in the opening scene… and is brutally torn about by the shark before being eaten.

The scene and Susan’s role became iconic as the film became Hollywood’s first true blockbuster. It has also caused millions of people to stop swimming in the sea!

The scene took a few days to film, and in an interview last year, Susan recalled that the water was absolutely freezing, but added…she’s seen a lot of Jaws and loves it the film obviously very much.

A few years later, she teamed up with Steven Spielberg to manipulate the scene in one of his less popular films, 1941.

Backlinie later did numerous stunt work in films and on television. Her appearances include “The Great Muppet Caper,” “Day of the Animals,” and the TV show “The Fall Guy.”

But it’s her Jaws that has always made her a fan favorite at conventions.

Susan leaves her husband, Harvey. She was 77.