Linda Hunt, known for her enigmatic role as Hetty Lange on "NCIS Los Angeles," has intrigued fans who are eager to delve into the actress's background.
The first spin-off from the NCIS franchise, NCIS LA, sadly wrapped up after a 14-season run on CBS last year.
Linda Hunt, one of the reasons behind the show's success, played the OSP (Office of Special Projects) Operations Manager from the start.
Difficult beginnings
Born in April 1945 in Morristown, New Jersey, Linda Hunt faced challenges from an early age. Raised by her parents Elsie and Raymond Hunt in Westport, Connecticut, they noticed something was different about her.
After a hospital visit raised concerns of cretinism, a condition affecting mental and physical development, doctors warned she might need institutional care.
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However, her mother's dedication to improving her motor skills led to significant progress.
Despite these efforts, Hunt still endured bullying during her school years, which she discussed with CBS Sunday Morning: "Everybody either wanted to take care of me or push me around, you know?
"I was teased a lot, sure I was, of course. Fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, everybody was taking their spurts except me. I was not growing up."
In an interview with The Bulletin, Hunt reflected on her supportive family environment: "I was so lucky my parents were encouraging on every level.
"I was totally alienated by school almost from the first day.
"I had a bad experience with a teacher and was made to feel stupid. I felt bad that I didn't fit in."
The NCIS LA star was then diagnosed with hypopituitary dwarfism as a teenager, and knew she would never grow taller than her current height of 4ft 9in.
Hunt's passion for acting
After falling head over heels for the world of entertainment following a Broadway production of Peter Pan, Hunt's parents were more than willing to support her dreams.
They sent her to Chicago's Goodman School of Drama for two years before she relocated to New York to pursue her acting career.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing as she spent three grueling years working as a stage manager at small off-Broadway theatres.
Ready to abandon her dream, Hunt moved back home. But her acting coach encouraged her to give it another shot.
This led her to audition for the role of Billy Kwan, a half-Asian male photographer with dwarfism, in the film The Year Of Living Dangerously.
To her astonishment, this role made Hunt the first person to win an Oscar for portraying a character of the opposite sex.
In the ensuing years, the veteran actress starred in a variety of projects such as Kindergarten Cop, Pocahontas, Without A Trace, Practice, and of course, NCIS Los Angeles as Hetty Lange.
Car accident
Linda Hunt, a staple of NCIS LA, had to take a hiatus from the show in 2018 due to a car accident involving her black BMW SUV and two other vehicles in Hollywood.
Although she wasn't gravely injured, she needed time off to recover, resulting in her absence from season 10 and most of season 11.
At that time, she expressed gratitude for fan support and explained her delayed return: "I first want to say how much I appreciate the outpouring of support from the NCIS: Los Angeles fans following my car accident this summer.
"Though I had hoped to return to playing Hetty at the start of the season, I had to take some additional time to recover. I look forward to returning later this season."
True love
The love story between Hunt and her wife, psychotherapist Karen Kline, is one for the ages.
The couple, who officially married in 2008, have been together since the late '70s.
They moved in together in 1987 and even showcased their charming Hollywood bungalow to the Los Angeles Times in 2014, revealing a home adorned with unique touches.
Reflecting on their early days, Kline humorously remarked to CBS Sunday Morning, "I was kind of struck [by] Linda's corduroys."
Hunt jokingly mentioned Kline's age, saying: "Karen's six years younger, but I forgive her daily. I do, I forgive you for being younger."
NCIS Los Angeles is available to watch on CBS.
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