Linda Hunt appeared as fan-favourite Henrietta “Hetty” Lange on the Los Angeles spin-off from the very first episode. One of NCIS’ most iconic characters looks almost unrecognisable in a photo from almost 40 years ago. Linda Hunt, who played Henrietta “Hetty” Lange on NCIS: Los Angeles didn’t always have the blunt haircut that fans have come to know and love her with.
Back in 1985, before she was best known for playing Hetty, Linda presented the award for Best Supporting Actor at the 57th Academy Awards. This followed Linda’s Best Supporting Actress win the previous year, where she took home the Oscar statuette after becoming the first person to win an Oscar for portraying a character of the opposite sex.
She played the male character Billy Kwan in The Year of Life in Danger and was presented her award by Dyan Cannon and Gene Hackman at the 1984 event
The following year, Linda presented Don Ameche with the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Cocoon.
Linda is seen wearing a high-necked sequin embellished gown, with her hair styled in a shorter style than NCIS fans will be used to seeing her with.
She certainly looks a world away from Hetty’s trademark look on the hit CBS police procedural
Linda has also appeared in a number of other movies and television shows before joining NCIS: Los Angeles in 2009. She had guest roles on Without a Trace and The Practice and also starred in Kindergarten Cop, Stranger Than Fiction and 1984’s Dune.
She even voiced Grandmother Willow in Disney’s Pocahontas and the follow-up, Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World. Most will now know Linda as Hetty, who may seem small in stature but has one of the biggest personalities out of the entire team.
The fan-favourite did make infrequent appearances on the show over the past few years for a number of reasons. This included when Linda took time off to recover from a car accident and because of the pandemic, which prevented the actress from returning to set.
Sadly NCIS: Los Angeles came to an end with its 14th season but viewers of the franchise still have the original NCIS, NCIS: Hawaii and NCIS: New Orleans to keep them entertained.
Given the current SAG-AFTRA strikes in Hollywood, it is not yet known when new episodes from the NCIS universe will appear on screens. However, it is looking likely that it will be at least 2024 until any upcoming seasons air.
