Mercedes Agnes Carlotta McCambridge (March 16, 1916 – March 2, 2004), nicknamed Mercy, was an Academy Award-winning American film actress, also known for her acting in radio dramas.
McCambridge was born in Joliet, Illinois to Irish Catholic immigrant parents. The Exorcist actress Mercedes McCambridge dies at 85. USA Today. 17 March 2004. She later falsely claimed to have been born on March 17, 1918. She graduated from Mundelein College in Chicago before embarking on a career.
A highly talented radio performer, who then appeared on the big screen, winning a best supporting Oscar for her screen debut. Although despite a career full of supporting roles, in recent years she has become something of a cult figure. Her memorable voice-over for the demon child in Exorcist, The (1973) - has secured her place in movie history. Ironically, she took Warner Bros to court over her being uncredited for the role, which was probably the most important in the film. Since the early 1980s Mercedes enjoyed a quiet retirement. She was a special guest star at the 70th Annual Anniversary Academy Awards in 1998 along with many other Oscar winners. Mercedes also made special television appearances to discuss her role in Exorcist, The (1973) at the 30th Anniversary of the films release. She died in La Jolla in California on 2nd March 2004 from natural causes.
