Linda Hunt was recently spotted in Los Angeles during a rare public outing with her wife, Karen Kline, and an assistant. At 80, she moved calmly and deliberately, projecting ease rather than spectacle. There was no performance—just presence shaped by a life lived on her own terms.
Hunt’s place in film history was secured in 1982 with The Year of Living Dangerously. Her portrayal of Billy Kwan earned her an Academy Award and made her the first woman to win an Oscar for playing a male character. The performance stood out not as a gimmick, but for its precision and emotional restraint.
Director Peter Weir initially considered only male actors for the role, but Hunt’s screen test changed that. Her work was subtle, grounded, and unmistakably human, setting a standard that still resonates.
Before Hollywood recognition, Hunt honed her craft in theater, developing the discipline that would define her career. Film and voice roles in Kindergarten Cop and Disney’s Pocahontas revealed her ability to add depth without overpowering a story.
Television brought another chapter of steady excellence. She appeared on The Practice and narrated The American Experience, but became most widely known as Hetty Lange on NCIS: Los Angeles, a role she played from 2009 until 2023.
Even a serious car accident in 2018 did not alter her approach. She returned quietly, without explanation, embodying resilience rather than announcing it.