Cast
- Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil, a famous actress temporarily living in Washington, D.C., with her daughter. She is an atheist and a loving mother. When Regan displays strange behavior, Chris experiences an emotional breakdown and tries to find help for her daughter, consulting neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, and finally a Catholic exorcist.
- Jason Miller as Father Damien Karras, a troubled priest, vocational counselor and psychiatrist. He suffers deeply when his mother dies, and confesses to have lost his faith in God. Jack Nicholson was the original choice for the role, but Miller was cast after Friedkin saw his performance in That Championship Season.
- Max von Sydow as Father Lankester Merrin, an elderly priest and archeologist. A quiet and patient man, he has prior experience in performing exorcisms and is aware of the risks of facing evil.
- Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil, Chris's friendly and outgoing 12 year-old daughter. She displays strange and aggressive behaviors after playing with a Ouija board, which are later revealed as early symptoms of demonic possession.
- Lee J. Cobb as Lieutenant William F. Kinderman, a police detective investigating Burke Dennings' death. Assertive and cunning, he thinks Regan was involved in Dennings' death, which may be related to the recent desecration of a nearby church.
- Mercedes McCambridge as the voice of the Pazuzu.
- Kitty Winn as Sharon Spencer, Chris' friend and personal assistant who acts as Regan's governess and tutor.
- Jack MacGowran as Burke Dennings, an eccentric film director and close friend of Chris; his unexplained death while looking after Regan elicits a police homicide investigation.
- Father William O'Malley as Father Joseph Dyer, a close friend of Karras who tries to help him deal with his mother's death.
- Robert Symonds as Dr. Taney.
- Barton Heymen as Dr. Samuel Klein, a doctor who suggests that Regan needs "special" help.
- Arthur Storch as the psychiatrist.
- Titos Vandis as Karras's uncle.
- Eileen Dietz as a face associated with the demon, seen only in visions and flash cuts.
William Peter Blatty has a small speaking role during the scene where Chris is filming in front of Healy Hall. His character engages in a minor technical dispute with director Burke Dennings.
Read more about this topic: The Exorcist (film)
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