Los Angeles, Dec 28 (NationPress) Hollywood star Jamie Lee Curtis is openly expressing her appreciation for her mother, who also had a career in acting. She revealed that her mother insisted she delay her entry into the horror film genre.

Janet Leigh, Curtis's mother, declined the chance for her then 12-year-old daughter to audition for the iconic horror film, ensuring she remained shielded from the pressures of early fame and the psychological impact of featuring in one of the most terrifying movies ever, as reported by Variety.

In a recent segment of The Drew Barrymore Show, Curtis recounted how a producer reached out to her mother, requesting her to consider auditioning for The Exorcist.

“He contacted my mom and said, ‘Hey, I’m producing the adaptation of the book The Exorcist. Would you allow Jamie to audition?’ At that time, I was around 12, undoubtedly cute, a bit cheeky, and brimming with personality. I can only imagine he saw me at a gathering and thought, ‘She’d be a great fit.’ However, my mother firmly replied, ‘No’.”

She expressed to Barrymore, “My mom was determined to ensure I had a proper childhood—a luxury I realize you didn’t have.”

Barrymore, who began her acting career at a young age with her role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, was just seven when she played Elliot’s younger sister. Ultimately, it was Linda Blair who was cast as the possessed character, Regan.

Blair received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal in 1974. Curtis, on the other hand, would later become a key figure in the horror genre, first gaining recognition in the 1978 classic Halloween at the age of 19.

Over the subsequent years, Curtis featured prominently in films such as The Fog, Prom Night, and Terror Train. Most recently, she reprised her role as Laurie in the 2022 release, Halloween Ends.