Inside her inspiring rise, life-changing accident, and enduring love story
Best known as the formidable yet beloved Hetty Lange on NCIS: Los Angeles, Linda Hunt has spent over a decade captivating audiences with her mysterious charm and commanding presence. But behind the scenes, the Oscar-winning actress has lived a life filled with personal battles, resilience, and love.
A Challenging Start
Born in April 1945 in Morristown, New Jersey, Linda was raised in Westport, Connecticut by supportive parents Elsie and Raymond Hunt. Early concerns over her development led doctors to suspect a serious condition—and even recommend institutional care. But Linda’s mother refused to give up, dedicating herself to helping her daughter thrive.
Despite her mother’s efforts, Linda endured years of schoolyard bullying due to her small stature and difference in development. “Everybody either wanted to take care of me or push me around,” she recalled in a candid interview with CBS Sunday Morning. Diagnosed as a teen with hypopituitary dwarfism, Linda would never grow taller than 4’9″.
Finding Her Voice on Stage
Linda’s passion for acting ignited after seeing a Broadway production of Peter Pan. With her parents’ encouragement, she attended Chicago’s Goodman School of Drama and later moved to New York to pursue her dreams. But the path to success was anything but easy—she worked for years as a stage manager and nearly gave up on acting altogether.
Everything changed when she was cast in The Year of Living Dangerously as Billy Kwan, a male character of mixed Asian descent. Her powerful performance made history, earning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1984—the first Oscar ever awarded for portraying a character of the opposite sex.
Building a Legacy
Linda’s diverse career includes roles in Kindergarten Cop, Pocahontas, Without a Trace, and The Practice. But it was in 2009, when NCIS: Los Angeles premiered, that she took on the role that would define the next chapter of her career: Hetty Lange, the OSP Operations Manager with a mysterious past and a heart of gold.
A Scare Behind the Wheel
In 2018, Linda was forced to step away from NCIS LA after a serious car accident in Hollywood involving her black BMW SUV and two other vehicles. Though her injuries weren’t life-threatening, she took time to recover and missed much of seasons 10 and 11.
“I first want to say how much I appreciate the outpouring of support from the NCIS: Los Angeles fans,” she shared. “Though I had hoped to return at the start of the season, I had to take some additional time to recover.”
A Love That Lasts
Linda’s personal life is as heartwarming as her professional one. She has been with her wife, psychotherapist Karen Kline, since the late 1970s. The two officially married in 2008 and reside in a beautifully eclectic Hollywood bungalow, which they lovingly showcased in The Los Angeles Times.
Karen once joked about her first impression of Linda’s wardrobe: “I was kind of struck [by] Linda’s corduroys.” To which Linda playfully added: “Karen’s six years younger, but I forgive her daily.”
From a bullied child with an uncertain future to one of television’s most unique and unforgettable talents, Linda Hunt’s life is a testament to resilience, artistry, and love that stands the test of time.
NCIS: Los Angeles is available to stream on CBS.
