Mercedes McCambridge was a highly talented radio performer who won a
best supporting Actress Oscar for her film debut.
Mercedes McCambridge was born in Joliet, Illinois, to Marie (Mahaffry)
and John Patrick McCambridge, a farmer. She was of mostly Irish (with a
small amount of English and German) ancestry. Despite a career full of
supporting roles, she later became something of a cult figure. Her
memorable voice-over for the demon child in
The Exorcist (1973) has secured her
place in movie history. Ironically, she took Warner Bros. to court over
her being uncredited for the role, which was probably the most
important in the film.
Mercedes enjoyed a quiet retirement starting from the early 1980s. She
was a special guest star at the 70th Annual Anniversary Academy Awards
in 1998 along with many other Oscar winners. Mercedes also made special
television appearances to discuss her role in
The Exorcist (1973) at the 30th
Anniversary of the film's release.
She died in La Jolla in California on 2nd March 2004 from natural
causes.
The Other Side of the Wind(2018)as Maggie Noonan
Cagney & Lacey(1981)as Sister Elizabeth
Amazing Stories(1985)as Miss Lestrange
Lyman H. Howe's High Class Moving Pictures(1983)as Narrator
Echoes(1982)as Lillian Gerben
The Scarf(1951)
The Story of Film: An Odyssey(2011)as Self - Interviewee
The 70th Annual Academy Awards(1998)as Self - Past Winner
The 60th Annual Academy Awards(1988)as Self - Audience Member
The Bob Braun Show(1967)as Self - Guest
The Friday the 13th Murders(2025)as Self - John's Mother
Compression(1995)as Self
They'll Love Me When I'm Dead(2018)as Self
The Star and the Car(2018)
Sinatra: All or Nothing at All(2015)as Self
Fresh Air(1975)as Self - Guest
