Linda Haynes, the talented actress renowned for her roles in Rolling Thunder and Brubaker, has sadly passed away at the age of 75. Linda, whose birth name was Linda Lee Sylvander, peacefully left this world on July 17 at her residence in Summerville, S.C., with her loving family by her side. The exact cause of her death has not been disclosed.
Originally from Miami, Linda started her journey in Hollywood by portraying Doctor Anne Barton in the 1969 science fiction film Latitude Zero alongside esteemed actors Joseph Cotten, Cesar Romero, and Richard Jaeckel. She continued to showcase her acting prowess in various films over the next six years, including the gritty 1974 crime drama The Nickel Ride, the thrilling 1975 movie The Drowning Pool, and the iconic 1977 psychological thriller Rolling Thunder. It was Linda’s portrayal of the resilient barmaid Linda Forchet in Rolling Thunder that left a lasting impact on audiences, even capturing the attention of director Quentin Tarantino. In fact, Tarantino expressed his admiration for Linda’s performance, describing her as his favorite female character in a film by Paul Schrader.
In 1979, Linda secured her first and only leading role in the prison film Human Experiments. The following year, she graced the screen once again in the Oscar-nominated movie Brubaker, where she played the character Carol alongside esteemed actors Robert Redford, Yaphet Kotto, Morgan Freeman, and Jane Alexander. However, after Brubaker, Linda made the decision to step away from the spotlight.
Apart from her acting career, Linda was also a member of the Actor’s Studio and the Screen Actors Guild. After retiring from acting, she pursued a career as a legal secretary. In 2019, Linda relocated to South Carolina to live with her son, Gregory Leif Sylvander. She is survived by her son, her daughter-in-law Courtney Lynn Sylvander, her two grandchildren James Riley Sylvander and Amelia Grace Sylvander, as well as her cherished pets Bingo, Bluey, Rex, Biggie, and Raya.
This is a tremendous loss for the entertainment industry, but Linda Haynes will always be remembered for her exceptional talent, captivating performances, and the impact she made on audiences throughout her career. May she rest in peace.