With a career spanning over five decades, an unmistakable voice, and a presence that commands attention no matter the size of the role, Linda Hunt has never fit the Hollywood mold — and that’s exactly why she’s unforgettable.
From her Academy Award-winning performance in The Year of Living Dangerously to her fan-favorite role as Hetty Lange on NCIS: Los Angeles, Hunt has always done things her way — boldly, uniquely, and without compromise. As she turns 80, the stage and screen veteran remains a powerful reminder that talent has no boundaries.
A Star is Born: Unconventional Beginnings
Born Lydia Susanna Hunter on April 2, 1945, in Morristown, New Jersey, Linda Hunt grew up in Westport, Connecticut, dreaming of the stage from the moment she saw Peter Pan performed live. Her fascination with storytelling quickly became a life’s mission. Despite being born with hypopituitary dwarfism — standing just under 5 feet tall — Hunt never allowed the industry’s narrow standards of beauty to define her potential.
After studying directing at the Interlochen Arts Academy and later at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, Hunt headed to New York. There, she sharpened her skills behind the curtain, working as a director and stage manager before finally stepping into the spotlight. Her professional stage debut came in Hamlet (1972) at Long Wharf Theatre, and by 1975, she was on Broadway in Eugene O’Neill’s Ah, Wilderness!
Breaking Barriers in Hollywood
In 1980, Hunt made her film debut with a brief role in Robert Altman’s Popeye, but it was her second movie that cemented her legacy. In 1982, she took on a bold, groundbreaking role as Billy Kwan, a male Chinese-Australian photographer in Peter Weir’s The Year of Living Dangerously. Her haunting and humanizing performance not only captivated audiences, but also earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress — making her the first person to win an Oscar for playing a character of the opposite sex.
Her work in the ‘80s was diverse and daring. From Dune (1984) to Silverado (1985), to Off-Broadway productions like Top Girls and Aunt Dan and Lemon, Hunt brought sharp intelligence and emotional weight to every performance. In 1984, she earned a Tony Award nomination for End of the World, and later appeared in Merchant Ivory’s The Bostonians, adding even more prestige to her résumé.
The Iconic Voice Behind the Characters
By the ’90s, Hunt’s presence was everywhere — even when you didn’t see her. In addition to live-action roles in Kindergarten Cop, The Relic, and Prêt-à-Porter, she brought wisdom and warmth to animated classics. Most notably, she voiced Grandmother Willow in Disney’s Pocahontas (1995), and later narrated historical documentaries and video games, including the acclaimed God of War series.
Her voice — deep, steady, and distinct — became her signature, lending gravitas and empathy to every project she touched.
TV Royalty: Enter Hetty Lange
In 2009, Hunt stepped into what would become the most widely recognized role of her career: Henrietta “Hetty” Lange, the enigmatic and fiercely intelligent operations manager on NCIS: Los Angeles. For 14 seasons, Hunt was the soul of the show, often stealing scenes from the much younger and physically larger cast around her.
Hetty wasn’t just a fan-favorite — she became an icon, representing a new kind of power figure on television: wise, morally complex, and emotionally layered. Even as the series concluded in 2023, Hunt’s portrayal remained unmatched in its subtlety and strength.
A Quiet Life, Loud Legacy
In her personal life, Linda Hunt has long championed authenticity and privacy. She married her partner, psychotherapist Karen Klein, in 2008, and the couple has lived quietly in Los Angeles. Though not one for the spotlight offscreen, Hunt’s trailblazing career continues to inspire generations of actors and fans alike.
At 80 years old, Linda Hunt has proven that brilliance doesn’t shout — sometimes, it whispers with unmatched clarity, commands without standing tall, and wins hearts by simply being real.
In a world of fleeting fame and formulaic casting, Hunt has always stood out — and that’s exactly what makes her timeless.
