Oscar-winning actress Linda Hunt, best known for her groundbreaking role in “The Year of Living Dangerously,” was spotted in Los Angeles in a rare public appearance, and fans can’t stop talking. The 79-year-old Hollywood legend, who made history as the first person to win an Academy Award for portraying a character of the opposite sex, stepped out with her longtime wife Karen Kline and an assistant, drawing a wave of emotional reactions online. While some are praising Linda Hunt for still being able to go out and about despite her age, others are expressing concerns over her “frightening” appearance.
Linda Hunt Sparks Online Debate After Rare Walk With Wife Karen Kline
The candid photos, obtained by the Daily Mail, show Hunt taking a walk with her wife and an assistant on a sunny day in Los Angeles. Hunt appeared to need some help, reaching her arms out as Kline and the assistant each held one of her hands. Kline, a psychotherapist, kept it casual in a black-and-white striped tee, gray hoodie tied at the waist, and blue jeans.
The couple’s enduring love story stretches back to 1978, and after three decades together, they officially tied the knot in 2008. Their bond was on full display during the outing, but fans were quick to point out how “different” Hunt looked.
Fans Divided Over Hunt’s Rare Appearance
Commenters lit up the internet, with reactions ranging from admiration to concern. One fan gushed, “I love her! She is very special and so good! Take good care Linda Hunt!” Another added a heartfelt, “Bless her heart.”
But some reactions were harsher, with one commenter bluntly writing, “Frightening,” while another claimed, “Looks like she’s not doing so well.” Still, others defended the actress, insisting she looked unchanged. “She looks exactly the same!” one user argued, while another praised, “She’s amazing… great actress and she looks exactly the same!”
Linda Hunt Opens Up About Leaving Acting Behind
Hunt, who rose to fame after her Academy Award win in 1982 and later cemented her legacy with her long-running role as Hetty Lange on “NCIS: Los Angeles,” remains one of Hollywood’s most respected stars. She joined the hit CBS series in 2009 and quickly became a fan favorite, with her witty one-liners, no-nonsense attitude, and undeniable presence. But even from the start, Hunt admitted she never expected to be tied down to a long-running TV role.
In a 2011 interview with The Daily Beast, Hunt revealed she was 66 when the series came along and wasn’t actively searching for steady work. “I wasn’t looking for anything,” she explained at the time. “I’m now 66. At this time in my life, that this has come along, feels just like a gift. The heavens opened up and just handed me a little something to get me into my 70s.”
Hunt Admits Acting Brought ‘Stress And Anxiety’
By the time season 9 rolled around in 2017 and Hetty was appearing less frequently, Hunt was already in her 70s and reassessing what she wanted from her career. She was open about the stress that acting brought her, saying, “Acting gave me a sense of purpose, but it also gave me a sense that I would survive, that I would find my place.”
She added, “I’ve never learned how to do it without a lot of stress or anxiety. For that reason, at this time in my life, I’d rather just not do it … I’d rather be the person who has more time to stretch, more time to think, more time to reach out to other people. I’m not one of those people that wants to die on the stage.”
How Childhood Struggles and ‘Peter Pan’ Inspired Linda Hunt’s Path to Hollywood History
Long before Linda Hunt became an Oscar winner and “NCIS: Los Angeles” fan favorite, she faced challenges that shaped both her personal life and her career path. Hunt was diagnosed with a form of dwarfism that stunted her growth, leaving her feeling isolated during her school years. But a turning point came when her parents took her to see her very first Broadway show, a production of “Peter Pan.”
In that magical theater, Hunt said she realized the stage was a place where she could finally feel taller, a world where her appearance didn’t limit her and could transform into anyone she wanted to be. That spark would eventually set her on a path to Hollywood history, proving that her difference was also her strength.
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