Podcast Summary: The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Episode: Linda Blair | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Billy Corgan
Guest: Linda Blair

Overview:

This heartfelt and candid conversation between Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and actress/activist Linda Blair traverses Blair’s life from child stardom to her advocacy for animal rights. The discussion spans her early years, the complexities and trauma of The Exorcist, media scrutiny, her passion for animals, life after fame, and her current work with the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation. The episode is intimate, unflinching, and punctuated with humor and mutual empathy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Life and Unexpected Path to Fame

• Linda Blair’s Childhood: Born in St. Louis, moved to Connecticut at age 2 ([01:06]). Started as a child model around age 6 after her mother read an article about children modeling ([01:06], [02:02]).
• Commercial Work: Booked her first commercial for Downy, then did 75+ commercials for products like Ivory Soap, Golden's Mustard, and dolls ([02:14]-[03:26]).
• Perspective on Fame: Blair never aspired to stardom; her childhood dream was to be a veterinarian ([03:49]).
  • “I had always told mom…that I wanted to be a doctor to the animals…we knew that was a veterinarian.” – Linda Blair ([03:49])

2. Nature, Animals, and Survival in Childhood

• Nature as Sanctuary: Her Connecticut home instilled a love for animals and quietude ([04:34]-[06:39]).
• Cats & Companionship: Animals were her constant support during lonely periods as a working child ([04:34]-[06:39]).

3. Transition from Commercials to Acting

• Early Films: Started acting in 'The Sporting Club' at age 10 ([06:59]-[07:20]), and ‘The Way We Live Now’ ([08:59]).
• Pivotal Experience: Witnessing chained elephants and caged lions during a shoot at the Bronx Zoo changed her perspective on captivity and led to a lifelong commitment to animal welfare ([09:22]-[10:50]).

4. The Exorcist: Audition, Trauma, and Aftermath

• Accidental Role: Nearly quit acting before landing the Exorcist role ([11:12]). “If it had been a month, two months later, it wouldn't have been me.” ([11:12])
• Audition Memories: Reading for the part; “I remember their faces, their eyeballs getting really, you know, big and said, can you do it again but angrier” – Linda Blair ([12:17])
• Understanding the Project: As a 13-year-old, didn’t comprehend the implications; thought levitation and head-spinning were special effects ([14:05], [14:37]).
• On Director William Friedkin (“Billy”): Credits him as a “master manipulator” but discusses feeling like a puppeteer’s marionette ([15:07]-[15:10]). Admits she’s only now ready to share difficult truths in her forthcoming book ([21:26]).
• Child Actor Advocacy: “Don’t ever do it to another child.” – Linda Blair ([21:21])
• Emotional Toll: The pain of her experience contrasted with the public’s enjoyment of the film ([21:26]).
• Media and Exploitation: Subjected to religious attacks, scapegoating, and press invasiveness worldwide ([30:16]-[33:44]). “I was the most famous person in the world. And they want a piece of that and the headlines. It was a hot mess.” ([32:48])
• Security Threats: Even dealt with FBI involvement due to threats ([33:33]-[33:44]).

5. After The Exorcist: Typecasting, “The Machine,” and Struggles

• No Control: Continued acting due to industry pressure and lack of agency as a minor ([37:36]-[39:21], [56:51]).
  • “Their job was to find the money and put her to work. It's called the machine.” – Linda Blair ([56:51])
• Controversial Roles: Born Innocent, Airport 75, and more; constantly cast in provocative content ([48:48]-[55:34]).
• Typecasting: Discusses era’s strict genre limitations for actors ([58:09]).
• Attempts at Normalcy & Escape: Horses and equestrianism as refuge ([64:45]-[65:45]). Used an assumed name to compete ([64:21]).
• Media Body-Shaming: Hurt by tabloid obsession with her weight, which contributed to depression ([65:45]-[66:41]).
  • “Shame on them for belittling me…You're a teenager and it's hard enough.” – Linda Blair ([65:50])

6. Rock ’n’ Roll Family: Finding Acceptance in Music

• Musician Relationships: Close bonds with artists like Rick Springfield, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Aerosmith; music world provided safety and normalcy ([67:55]-[68:38]).
• Romantic and Platonic Ties: Friendship and romance with Rick Springfield; the music industry “let me be me” ([78:10]-[83:56]).

7. Personal Challenges and Health

• Arrest and Misunderstanding: Arrested in a high-profile drug sting—her innocence largely misunderstood ([71:20]-[73:52]).
• Ongoing Health Struggles: Lifelong issues with ulcerated intestine diagnosis and, more recently, almost dying from a thyroid storm and pneumonia ([84:27], [104:02]-[107:00]).
  • “To be challenged with a life-threatening situation…there are many actresses that are coming out now and saying that they have Graves disease. I have Graves disease and it attacks your immune system.” – Linda Blair ([105:53])
• Advocacy for Medical Awareness: Opens up publicly for the first time about her health to draw attention to autoimmune disease ([107:31]).

8. Animal Advocacy and Life’s Purpose

• Turning Trauma into Action: Experience of losing her dog to theft altered her life direction—started working with Last Chance for Animals ([87:45]-[90:44]).
• Founding the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation: Large-scale rescue, focus on ending animal abuse, breed bans, and pet theft ([92:13], [103:02]-[109:30]).
• Veganism and Holistic Living: Lifelong commitment to vegetarian diet for health and compassion; co-authored “Going Vegan” ([83:56]-[90:44]).
  • “That’s why we're vegans. And if people just look online, read some articles for yourself and understand, health to your family and health to you. So that was why and where that comes from.” ([90:44])
• Desert Dog Rescue Narrative: Evocative, emotional segment where Blair introduces a rescue puppy, “Billy,” rescued from the desert—a living symbol of her work ([100:10]-[103:02]).
  • “This dog was dumped in the desert and we just pulled 50 dogs out…This is what's happening.” – Linda Blair ([100:33])

9. Reflection on Legacy & Hope for Compassion

• Staying True to Herself:
  • “I have not changed. Nobody can know exactly. They weren't there when I was six and seven…You can see it in every single interview. I've never strayed.” ([97:01])
• Connecting with Others’ Pain: Sees her own story and activism as means to speak for the voiceless, both human and animal ([98:59]-[99:19]).
• Call to Action: Urges listeners to adopt and foster rescue animals, volunteer, and contribute to local causes ([108:13]-[109:30]).
  • “This holiday season, please, we need your help. Give to your local charity rescue, volunteer. I promise your person if you're going through something, an angel will be there.” ([108:30])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Childhood Fame:
  “I still don't want to be famous. However, that was the carrot.” – Linda ([04:34])
• On Playing Reagan:
  “Do what they say, do what they say. And this is the problem, you know, with child abuse.” ([25:58])
• On Hollywood's Machine:
  “Because you were told, your next job, job, your next job…They wouldn't let you walk away.” ([59:59])
• On Animal Rescue:
  “That's why we're vegans…health to your family and health to you. So that was why and where that comes from.” ([90:44])
• On Media Pressure:
  “Shame on them. Shame, shame, shame on them for belittling me.” ([65:50])
• On Spiritual Platform:
  “I believe that…everybody wants something for you. They want to understand that something that affected their life…we must be more compassionate.” ([48:27])
• On Purpose:
  “If I've done something good through all the hardship, the challenges…that's a gift.” ([93:16])
• On Resilience:
  “I can't stop who I am, Billy. I can't.” ([105:53])
• On Advocacy:
  “Let's just stop human and animal abuse and make the world a better place.” ([107:00])

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [01:06]-[03:26]: Linda’s entry into modeling and commercials
• [04:34]-[06:39]: Animals as emotional support; childhood aspirations
• [09:22]-[10:50]: Bronx Zoo experience shaping animal rights advocacy
• [11:12]-[14:37]: How Blair got cast in The Exorcist (audition recollections)
• [21:21]: Blair’s warning: “Don't ever do it to another child.”
• [32:48]: On the overwhelming global press/scandal after The Exorcist
• [56:51]: The reality of “the machine” and child actors
• [64:45]-[66:41]: Equestrian life, media scrutiny and coping with body shaming
• [67:55]-[68:38]: Musician friendships and finding family in rock
• [83:56]-[90:44]: Veganism, animal rights, and losing her dog—turning point for activism
• [100:10]-[103:02]: Live rescue story—Brings a puppy named “Billy” on the show
• [104:02]-[107:00]: Health battles: Graves disease, nearly dying, advocacy for medical awareness
• [108:13]-[109:30]: Final plea for animal adoption, compassion, and volunteerism

Conclusion

This episode is a raw, honest, and uplifting portrait of a woman who transformed childhood pain and public scrutiny into a lifelong mission of empathy and protection for the innocent—both animals and people. Blair’s unwavering authenticity and vulnerability, paired with Corgan’s thoughtful questioning and shared experiences, create a space where difficult truths are aired but hope and advocacy prevail.

Resources & Links

• Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation: lindablairworldheart.org
• How to Help: Foster, adopt, volunteer, and donate at your local animal rescues or at the above foundation.
• Book: “Going Vegan” by Linda Blair

Note: This summary is focused on the primary content and omits all intros, ad reads, and outros.