Linda Lee Sylvander, also known as Linda Haynes in her acting career, passed away at the age of 75. She was a prominent actress in the 70s and early 80s, appearing in notable films such as “Rolling Thunder” and “Brubaker”. On July 17, she peacefully passed away in Summerville, South Carolina, with her family by her side. The exact cause of her death has not been disclosed.
Her son, Greg Sylvander, shared his feelings about his mother’s passing on Facebook, expressing his dread as an only child but finding solace in the fact that she had a beautiful life, especially during the final years spent with her grandchildren, Courtney Sylvander and himself. The loss of his mother will be deeply felt by him and the family.
Born on November 4, 1947, in Miami, Florida, Linda Haynes made her acting debut in 1969’s “Latitude Zero” in the role of Dr. Anne Barton. However, she gained recognition for her performances as Linda Forchet in the 1977 psychological thriller “Rolling Thunder” alongside William Devane and Tommy Lee Jones, as well as her role as Carol in 1980’s “Brubaker” starring Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman. Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has even praised her acting abilities, citing her portrayal of Linda Forchet as his favorite female character in a Paul Schrader film. He commends her natural talent and compares her look to that of Ava Gardner.
Throughout her career, Linda Haynes appeared in other movies like “Human Experiments”, “The Drowning Pool”, “The Nickel Ride”, and “Coffy”. Additionally, she made guest appearances in several TV shows, including “This Is the Life”, “My Three Sons”, and “Room 222”.
Despite her success in the acting industry, Linda Haynes eventually decided to step away from her acting career in the early 80s. She pursued a different path and worked as a legal secretary. However, in 2019, she decided to relocate to South Carolina to live with her son and his family. She found a sense of belonging and described her time there as her true home.
Linda Haynes leaves behind her son, Gregory, her daughter-in-law, Courtney Lynn Sylvander, and her grandchildren, James Riley Sylvander and Amelia Grace Sylvander. They will undoubtedly cherish the memories of their time with Linda and carry her legacy forward.
In conclusion, Linda Haynes, also known as Linda Lee Sylvander, was a talented actress whose performances in “Rolling Thunder” and “Brubaker” stood out. Quentin Tarantino himself praised her acting skills, comparing her to the legendary Ava Gardner. After leaving the industry, Linda Haynes found happiness and peace with her family in South Carolina. Her loved ones, including her son Greg and her grandchildren, will remember her fondly and carry on her memory.