Oscar-winning actress Linda Hunt, celebrated for her trailblazing work in film and television, was recently seen enjoying a rare outing in Los Angeles. At 80, Hunt was accompanied by her wife, Karen Kline, and an assistant, radiating elegance and poise, proving that she continues to live life fully and on her own terms. ✨💖
Hunt made cinematic history with her Academy Award-winning role in the 1982 film The Year of Living Dangerously, where she portrayed Billy Kwan, a male Chinese-Australian photographer. Her groundbreaking performance earned her the Best Supporting Actress Oscar and marked a historic first: winning for a role of the opposite sex. Director Peter Weir had initially considered only male actors but was so impressed with Hunt’s screen test that he insisted she was the perfect fit. 🎬🏆
Before her film acclaim, Hunt honed her craft in theater, eventually branching into movies and TV with iconic roles like Kindergarten Cop and the voice of Grandmother Willow in Disney’s Pocahontas. Her distinctive presence and versatility quickly made her a respected Hollywood figure.
Her TV career is equally remarkable. Hunt portrayed Judge Zoey Hiller on The Practice (1997–2002) and narrated PBS’s The American Experience (1998–2006). Her longest-running role was Henrietta “Hetty” Lange, operations manager on NCIS: Los Angeles, from 2009 until the series concluded in 2023. In 2018, she even took time off to recover from a multi-car accident, showing her resilience both on and off screen. 💪💫
Hunt has shared her personal life with psychotherapist Karen Kline, her partner since 1978 and wife since 2008. The couple was recently spotted walking hand in hand, with Hunt receiving a bit of assistance along the way. Their enduring love and support underscore the stability and joy that have accompanied Hunt throughout her extraordinary life and career. ❤️🌟
