Susan Backlinie, the unlucky skinny-dipper, who became the first victim In the movie “Jaws” has died. Steven Spielberg’s movie was released in 1975. The actress passed away at the age of 77 in her home on May 11. The cause of death has not yet been determined, according to TMZ.

Backlinie’s portrayal of Chrissie Watkins in the opening scene of “Jaws” was a groundbreaking moment in cinema history. Spielberg needed a skilled stunt person due to the physical demands of the scene. Backlinie, a former nationally ranked swimmer and professional diver, was the perfect fit.

The filming of the famous skinny-dipping scene was an exhausting three-day endeavor, with Backlinie strapped into a harness and pulled back and forth by crew members to simulate the shark’s attack. Her screams and thrashing were genuine and added realism to the scene, leaving a lasting impact on audiences all over the world.

Before her cinematic start in “Jaws”, she worked as a mermaid at the Weeki Wachee Springs tourist attraction in Florida and as an animal trainer, sharing the stage with a famous bear. Her career in Hollywood began while she was filming on location with a tiger in Canada for “Jaws,” where she impressed Spielberg with her fearlessness and expertise in the water.

After her iconic debut in “Jaws,” Backlinie continued to work in the film industry, appearing in movies such as “Two-Minute Warning” (1976), “Day of the Animals(1977), and “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981). She even changed her role as a skinny dipper in Spielberg’s spoof “1941” (1979), this time encountering an enemy submarine instead of a shark.

Although she had many other roles, Susan will continue to be remembered for her work in the movie “Jaws”. Her role made a lasting impression on swimmers everywhere. After watching her in “Jaws” it’s hard to feel safe in the ocean. You never know if a shark is lurking nearby. Also,“Jaws” is considered to be the first real blockbuster in cinematic history.