Jamie Lee Curtis Performed Exorcist Dance as Teenager
The actress shared the story of her high school interpretive dance performance during a recent museum event.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Dance
Jamie Lee Curtis revealed she once performed a dance routine to the theme of The Exorcist during a high school concert. The actress incorporated a fake blood pack into the performance as a nod to the iconic horror film.
Why it matters
The revelation provided a look at the lifelong influence the horror genre has held over Curtis since her youth. Her mother, Janet Leigh, originally blocked the actress from taking a role in the classic film during the early 1970s.
The Exorcist theme song Tubular Bells reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Jamie Lee Curtis was 15 years old when she first saw the film.
The players
Jamie Lee Curtis
She is an acclaimed actress and author known for her extensive work in the horror and comedy genres.
Janet Leigh
She was a prominent actress and the mother of Jamie Lee Curtis who famously starred in the film Psycho.
The details
Curtis performed an interpretive routine to the song Tubular Bells at a high school dance concert. She bit into a blood pack stored in her mouth as the melody began, letting the fake blood drip down her face throughout the dance.
Timeline
The actress was offered a role in The Exorcist in the early 1970s.
Curtis discussed the performance during an Academy Museum Q&A on Sept. 26.
Industry Dynamics
The story follows the enduring cultural footprint established by the 1973 release of The Exorcist. This highlights how iconic horror scores and imagery have influenced generations of performers beyond the cinema screen.
Fans can view the Horror Show exhibit currently on display in Los Angeles at the Academy Museum. This collection offers deeper insight into the production history of the films that defined the horror genre.
The takeaway
This anecdote underscores the lasting impact of classic horror soundtracks on pop culture history. It serves as a reminder that the most creative tributes often come from personal fandom and early life inspirations.
Further reading
For more on the history of choreography and performance, explore the Dance section.
