Jamie Lee Curtis’ legendary portrayal of a bookish, shy 17-year-old alongside the terrifying, teenager-murdering Michael Myers has stood the test of time.
As the plot goes, after murdering his older sister and being locked up in a mental hospital, Myers escapes captivity and returns to his hometown, Haddonfield, where he hunts down his next victims.
Jamie Lee Curtis made her film acting debut as Laurie Strode in John Carpenter’s 1978 American independent slasher film Halloween (Credit: Compass International Pictures)
While it’s difficult to imagine anyone other than Curtis in her iconic role of Laurie Strode in the highest-grossing independent film of its time, surprisingly, she wasn’t actually the first pick for this character.
The Casting of Jamie Lee Curtis: How She Landed the Role of Laurie Strode
Before delving into the film industry, Curtis had taken some time to develop a career with TV work.
Despite this, Halloween’s director, John Carpenter, wasn’t well aware of Curtis’ work by that point and longed for Anne Lockhart to play the character of Laurie Strode.
Anne Lockhart, daughter of actress June Lockhart, was John Carpenter’s first choice for the role of Laurie Strode in Halloween (Credit: David Livingston / WENN)
However, on discovering that Curtis’ mother was the ultimate horror legend Janet Leigh, who starred in Psycho, producer Debra Hill persuaded Carpenter to cast Jamie Lee Curtis.
The producer claimed that Curtis’ casting for the film would be great for publicity since many would be attracted by the relation the protagonist had with the legendary Leigh.
Janet Leigh starred as Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 American psychological horror-thriller film Psycho (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
While Curtis was disappointed with her own performance on the first day and was convinced that she’d be sacked, Carpenter praised her efforts, telling her that he had been content with how the first day had gone. And the rest is history!
Jamie Lee Curtis’ Age During the Filming of Halloween: A Young Star on the Rise
Building on her mother’s early success in acting, Curtis made her debut as Laurie Strode in 1978’s Halloween at just 19 years old.
Jamie Lee Curtis’ Iconic Journey Through the Halloween Franchise
Playing a part in 8 films over a staggering 43 years, Curtis has been keen to express what pride she takes in following her mother’s footsteps in the genre of horror. She really is her mother’s daughter!
Following the successful hit of Halloween in 1978, Curtis went on to play Laurie Strode in Halloween (Extended Edition), 1981, and Halloween II, also in 1981.
Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, the sole survivor of Michael Myers’ 1978 killing spree, in the 2018 American slasher film Halloween (Credit: Blumhouse Productions / WENN)
Following that, Curtis provided the voice of the telephone operator in 1982’s Halloween III: Season of the Witch. She later returned to her iconic role as Laurie Strode in Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later (1998) and Halloween: Resurrection (2002).
Curtis advocated for a 20th-anniversary film to celebrate the movie that launched her career. She contributed to the 1998 script and had the opportunity to collaborate with her mother, who portrayed Norma Watson in the film.
Although it was initially believed that her final portrayal of Laurie Strode would be in Halloween: Resurrection, Curtis reprised the iconic role 15 years later in 2018’s Halloween, where she also served as an executive producer.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis poses backstage with Michael Myers at the sCare Foundation’s 1st Annual Halloween Launch Benefit held at The Conga Room at L.A. Live on October 30, 2011, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Nikki Nelson / WENN)
Most recently, Curtis starred as Laurie Strode in 2021’s Halloween Kills, while she is set to work in Halloween Ends, which will premiere in 2022.
Understanding Laurie Strode: The Final Girl of the Halloween Series
Laurie Strode is said to be the protagonist of this epic franchise. Already mentioned as bookish and shy, this character was the ultimate example of the Final Girl.
The Final Girl appears morally superior to others, abstaining from sex and drinking. Although usually brunette, the Final Girl normally has a unisex name and defeats the killer or is rescued from them in the nick of time.
The primary protagonist in the Halloween franchise and the sister of serial killer Michael Myers, Laurie Strode, is portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis (Credit: Compass International Pictures)
Laurie Strode embodies this trope, standing out as a disciplined high school student among her more rebellious classmates. While many believe her virtuous nature protected her from becoming one of Myers’ victims, Carpenter has dismissed this interpretation.
The Connection Between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers: Unraveling the Family Ties
Laurie Strode becomes the primary target of serial killer Myers on Halloween night, ultimately becoming his archenemy. However, it isn’t until the later films that it is revealed Myers is actually her older brother, a detail that wasn’t present in the original film.
Curtis’ Lasting Legacy: How Laurie Strode Became a Horror Icon
Therefore, it is evident how profoundly Jamie Lee Curtis has left her mark on the film industry through her role in this legendary series.
With films still being made and people still eager to see what this franchise does next, it’s obvious how much Laurie Strode has made an impression as the Final Girl over time.
Director David Gordon Green, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Alberto Barbera attend the red carpet of the movie “Halloween Kills” during the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 8, 2021, in Venice, Italy (Credit: MEGA / WENN)
With over 43 years of experience stepping into the shoes of Laurie Strode, no one can deny that Curtis has carried her mother’s legacy of being a horror legend in the best way possible.