Linda Blair and the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation

Linda Blair rose to fame as the possessed child Regan in The Exorcist in 1973. Since then, she has remained active mostly in movies, but also on television.

An animal lover in her youth, she became an animal rights activist and humanitarian, working with PETA, Feed the Children, Variety, the Children's Charity, and other organizations. She also advocated for teen HIV/AIDS awareness.

In 2004, she founded  the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, a non-profit organization which works to rescue abused, neglected and mistreated animals. Their mission is "to alleviate suffering, while rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming abused, neglected and abandoned animals."

Several years ago at Days of the Dead, I approached Linda and asked for an interview about the WorldHeart Foundation. Her handler was hesitant, but Linda agreed anyway. That interview is at On the Beat With Linda Blair.

I really appreciated Linda's time. I loved that she overrode her handler's apprehension and gave me a few minutes of her time. As promised, I kept the interview on the WorldHeart Foundation.

Of course I wanted to talk to Linda about many other things. She has had a fascinating career and life. She had an iconic role as a teenager, a 40+ year career in entertainment, an avid dedication to animal rights and other charities and other interesting parts of her life. I would have loved to touch on any of those subjects. Still, I stayed on topic, because that is what Linda wanted. Sometimes you have to be willing to bend for the overall goal. I got to interview Linda Blair!

Go to LindaBlairWorldHeart.org for more info. Also get more frequent updates at @LindaBlairWorldHeartFoundation on Facebook.

Linda Blair and me in Schaumburg, IL-November 2017.

On the Beat with Linda Blair at Days of the Dead 2013

I admit, as a youngster, The Exorcist scared the heck out of me.  What a great movie and what a great performance by a young teen Linda Blair.  Blair has remained active in the entertainment business ever since, but her most important work might be outside of show business.
Linda was raised to respect animal life and she has chosen to use her notoriety to raise awareness to animal cruelty and rescues.  Thus the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation was born.  We caught up with Linda at Days of the Dead in Indianapolis and she gave us a short video on behalf of the LBWHF.  I will let Linda relay that message, but here I want to congratulate Linda and to express my admiration for her efforts.
Linda doesn't need to do celebrity conventions, but she has been doing them for years to spread the word about the LBWHF.  Her appearances are always appreciated by new and old fans.  I have met Linda several times over the years and I keep going back.  Having a chance to talk to Linda for a few moments and having the small donation go to help animals is a winning combination for me.  Judging by the length of her lines at the conventions, I would say I am not alone in that.
When I approached Linda about doing a short promo for the LBWHF, she did not hesitate.  She had never heard of JohngysBeat.com, but she wanted to spread the word on the LBWHF and she knew I would do that.
Linda works tirelessly promoting her cause and helping animals.  This isn't lip service for her.  Linda could charge a lot more for pictures and autographs, but instead, she keeps a low price and gives the proceeds to the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation.
After you watch Linda talk about the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, please go to LindaBlairWorldHeart.org to learn more about the great work they do with animals.  Also, "like" the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation on Facebook and follow LindaBlairWHF on twitter.

Linda Blair and the World Heart Foundation

I have met Linda Blair several times, but last year at the Motor City Comic Con was the best encounter.  It's not that she was unpleasant on the previous times, but she was just so lively this time.
As always, Blair was promoting the Linda Blair World Heart organization.  Blair had several pieces of merchandise for purchase with the proceeds going to the foundation.  There was also a simple "donations" jar for the cause.  She gladly discussed the organization, without being overly pushy or obnoxious about it.  If you asked, she gladly started talking.
All monies collected went to the LBWH foundation, which fights animal overpopulation and animal cruelty.  It's a great cause and Blair is a great ambassador, publicizing the cause at every signing she does.
She also bounced back and forth, taking photos with her fans.  She was extremely accommodating, insisting that everyone check their photos to make sure they were good enough.  It is that type of dedication that really makes an impression on me (and most fans).

Cuzz Gekas, me, Linda Blair and JayHawk Evans in Novi, MI-May 2010.

Linda Blair Still Spins My Head

I have met Linda Blair several times and she is always great.  She always seems to give her fans her full attention as they meet, not just a quick signature and move on to the next one.
Blair always has part of her booth devoted to her cause, the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, an organization devoted to the loving care and rescue of animals in Los Angeles.  Blair usually has special offers in which the proceeds go to the WorldHeart Foundation.  She also has the offers at a reasonable price, which gets plenty of positive responses from her fans.
Meeting someone like Blair is always special.  Blair was one of the first actresses I grew up with.  It' was so satisfying to meet her years later and see that she is so dedicated to animals and so genuinely pleasant.

Linda Blair and me in Rosemont, IL-Spring 2010.

Linda Blair's Head wasn't Spinning (Mine Was)

Several years ago, I met Linda Blair at the Hollywood Collectors Show. Blair is definitely one of the nicest celebrities I have ever met. Her fans got more than a scribbled signature, even though she had one of the longest lines at the show.

Linda Blair and me at the HCS in Rosemont, IL-mid-1990's.