An Oscar Winner, Iconic Voice, and NCIS: LA Legend — How One 4’9” Performer Left a Giant Legacy in Hollywood
Byline: From Broadway intensity to voiceover magic, Linda Hunt has crafted a career defined by fearless choices, sharp intellect, and unforgettable characters.
The Breakthrough That Changed Everything
Born Lydia Susanna Hunt on April 2, 1945, in Morristown, New Jersey, Linda Hunt was never interested in fitting a mold — and her career reflects that. Trained at Interlochen Arts Academy and the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, Hunt entered the arts with profound depth and fearless originality. Her early stage work earned her critical acclaim, but it was a 1982 film role that etched her name into Hollywood history.
That role? Billy Kwan — a male Chinese-Australian photographer in The Year of Living Dangerously. For the performance, Hunt won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first and only actor (as of 2025) to win an Oscar for portraying a character of the opposite sex. It was bold, nuanced, and era-defining — much like Hunt herself.
Stage Royalty and Voice of a Generation
Before Hollywood noticed, theatergoers already revered her. From Broadway’s Ah, Wilderness! to off-Broadway masterpieces like Top Girls and Aunt Dan and Lemon, Hunt’s stage presence was electric. Her portrayal of Sister Aloysius in Doubt and Brecht’s Mother Courage cemented her status as a performer who could channel both precision and passion.
Her husky, unmistakable voice later brought animated and documentary worlds to life. As Grandmother Willow in Pocahontas, the narrator of the God of War video games, and the voice behind PBS’s American Experience, Hunt became one of the most respected vocal talents in entertainment. Her narration of Christmas in Yellowstone remains a fan favorite.
Small Stature, Towering Talent
Diagnosed with hypopituitary dwarfism as a child, Hunt stands at 4’9” — a physical trait that she never allowed to define or limit her. Her commitment to craft, intellect, and authenticity made her characters feel immense. Whether she was commanding scenes in Kindergarten Cop, holding her own in Dune, or offering warmth and wit in indie gems, she proved over and over again: greatness has no height requirement.
“Hetty” Forever: NCIS Royalty
In 2009, Hunt stepped into the world of network TV as Henrietta “Hetty” Lange, the enigmatic and formidable operations manager on NCIS: Los Angeles. For over a decade, she was the heart and spine of the team — a mysterious mentor cloaked in wisdom, mischief, and ironclad authority.
Despite scaling back her appearances in later seasons due to health precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hetty’s presence loomed large until the series’ end in 2023. A final voice cameo in the series finale served as a graceful farewell to a character — and actor — beloved by fans.
A Life of Quiet Impact
Hunt’s personal life mirrors the groundedness of her career. She has been with psychotherapist Karen Kline since 1978; they married in 2008. The couple live a low-key life in Los Angeles, often advocating for animal welfare causes. Hunt is a proud ambassador for Best Friends Animal Society, and her compassionate energy extends far beyond the screen.
Even after a car accident in 2018 sidelined her briefly, Hunt returned to work, proving resilience is as much a part of her legacy as her voice or versatility.
Legacy: An Actress Who Played to Her Own Rhythm
Linda Hunt has carved a career not by chasing the spotlight but by commanding attention with intention. From the world’s grandest stages to television’s most-watched dramas, from animated forests to war-torn sci-fi epics, her impact is wide, deep, and enduring.
She may be the voice behind some of the most compelling narrations or the shadowy figure behind a desk of secrets, but Linda Hunt’s most remarkable role has always been herself — intelligent, bold, unforgettable.
