Turning 80 is no small feat, and for Linda Hunt, the milestone feels especially meaningful. For over a decade, audiences knew her as Hetty Lange on NCIS: Los Angeles, a character who redefined leadership on television.
Hetty wasn’t loud or flashy—she was calculating, compassionate, and quietly formidable. Hunt infused the role with lived-in wisdom, making Hetty feel less like a TV character and more like an institution. Even when her appearances became limited in later seasons, her presence was still felt across every storyline.
Off screen, Hunt has always chosen privacy over publicity. Her recent Los Angeles outing, supported by her wife Karen Kline, offered fans a rare glimpse into her real life—one defined by stability and long-term love.
At 80, Linda Hunt’s legacy isn’t just about awards or screen time. It’s about changing how strength looks on television and proving that power can be soft-spoken, strategic, and deeply human.
