Hollywood lost a gem as Linda Haynes, best known for her unforgettable performances in movies like ‘Rolling Thunder’, ‘Brubaker’, and ‘Human Experiments’, passed away at the age of 75. She left this world in the peaceful embrace of sleep.
Linda’s passing was announced to the public by her son, Greg Sylvander, through a touching statement given to People magazine. “It’s a heavy heart with which I share the loss of my mother, Linda Haynes Sylvander,”
Greg said. “Over the past three years, she made South Carolina her home, living with us. Those years, undeniably, were among the most precious we’ve had.”
Continuing, he expressed, “Being her only child, I’ve long feared this moment. Yet, the solace lies in knowing she lived her last years filled with joy, alongside her grandchild, Courtney Sylvander, and me. The void she leaves is immense.”
Born as Linda Lee Sylvander on November 4, 1947, in sun-soaked Miami, Linda’s journey into Hollywood began with a promising debut. She played Dr. Anne Barton in ‘Latitude Zero’ in 1969.
Following this, she quickly rose to stardom, primarily featuring in crime thrillers and the budding genre of neo-noir films. Her versatility was evident as she took on roles in a range of movies from crime thrillers like ‘The Nickel Ride’ and ‘The Drowning Pool’ to horror flicks such as ‘Human Experiments’ and the gripping crime-drama ‘Brubaker’.
However, as swiftly as Linda’s star rose in Hollywood in the 70s and 80s, she equally swiftly retreated from the limelight, leaving fans and admirers curious.
Among her most passionate admirers was Quentin Tarantino. The revered director often spoke highly of Linda’s portrayal of Linda Forchet in ‘Rolling Thunder’. “Linda’s character in the Paul Schrader written movie remains my top pick,” Quentin had previously shared.
Linda’s ability to delve deep into her characters, combined with her innate dramatic skills, won her accolades and admiration. Icons such as Tommy Lee Jones, Cesar Romero, and Morgan Freeman have been vocal about the profound impact of her performances on them.
