Jamie Lee Curtis recently shared how her mother protected her from the challenges of Jamie Lee Curtis childhood stardom by declining an opportunity that could have changed her life, choosing instead to allow her daughter a simple upbringing. This decision meant Curtis missed out on a major role, but she credits it with preserving her well-being and shaping the career she enjoys today.
How Janet Leigh Refused a Defining Role for Her Daughter
On a recent episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, Jamie Lee Curtis discussed the pivotal moment her mother, legendary actress Janet Leigh, prevented her from entering the spotlight too soon. At the time, Curtis was offered a chance to audition for what would have been a landmark role in the classic horror film The Exorcist. This opportunity came when producer Ray Stark reached out with the prospect, intrigued by Curtis’s personality and spunk he observed at family gatherings.
He called my mom and said, ‘Hey, I’m producing the movie of the book The Exorcist. Will you let Jamie audition for it?
Curtis recalled. She further explained the producer’s interest due to her spirited nature as a preteen.
And at the time, I was probably 12 and, like, cute and kind of sassy, and I had some personality, and I’m sure he saw me at a party and was like, ‘Oh, she’d be funny.’
Despite the prospect of fame, Janet Leigh was resolute in her decision and declined the audition, prioritizing her daughter’s childhood over career opportunities. Leigh’s refusal ensured Curtis would not immediately face the demands and scrutiny that come with early fame in Hollywood.
Drew Barrymore Highlights the Value of a Protected Childhood
The conversation between Curtis and Barrymore took on a heartfelt tone as they compared their experiences growing up under Hollywood’s glare. Barrymore, who started acting at age seven, did not have the same protective buffer. Curtis voiced gratitude for her mother’s protective instincts, directly addressing the differences in their upbringings.
My mom really wanted me to have — thank God — a childhood, which I understand you didn’t get. You didn’t get that option. And people didn’t step in and say, ‘No, [Drew] will have a childhood, she will have protection.’
Curtis shared, acknowledging the difficult path child stars can face without strong family support.
The Lasting Impact of Missing The Exorcist
The role of Regan in The Exorcist went instead to Linda Blair, whose haunting performance became iconic within the horror genre and earned her an Oscar nomination by age 14. For Jamie Lee Curtis, missing out on the role did not slow her down; she eventually became one of Hollywood’s most enduring “scream queens,” earning acclaim for her performances in horror classics like Halloween.
This pivotal family decision contributed to Curtis’s longevity and stability in an industry known for early burnout, suggesting that sometimes stepping back from immediate opportunity can lay the foundation for long-term fulfillment.
