Linda Hunt, a celebrated actress best known for portraying the strict, yet beloved, Operations Manager Hetty Lange on NCIS: Los Angeles, has been an integral part of the series since it first aired in 2009. Over the years, Hetty has become a fan favorite, with her sharp wit, commanding presence, and complex relationships with the team. As of 2021, Linda Hunt is still a part of the show, though her appearances have become less frequent in recent seasons. The reason for this is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to changes in filming schedules and safety protocols. Due to health concerns, especially at her age (Hunt is 75), the actress has been kept apart from the rest of the cast during filming. As a result, Hetty’s screen time has been reduced, and she has made more occasional, albeit impactful, appearances. Nevertheless, fans continue to appreciate her brief moments on screen, as her character remains a key figure in the NCIS: LA world.
While Linda Hunt has dedicated much of her life to her successful acting career, she has managed to keep her personal life relatively private. Despite her fame, Hunt is known to be a rather low-key individual who shies away from the public spotlight when it comes to matters of her private life. She has been married to Karen Kline, a retired therapist, since 2008, though the couple had been living together for many years before tying the knot. They first moved in together in 1987, meaning they have shared a loving and committed relationship for over 30 years. While their relationship is a private matter, Hunt and Kline’s bond is undeniable, and they have created a life together filled with mutual respect and affection.
Interestingly, despite being together for so long, Linda Hunt and Karen Kline have chosen not to have children. The couple does not have any biological children or children from previous relationships. This choice is consistent with the couple’s desire for a quieter, more private life, and it reflects their personal preferences. Instead of focusing on raising children, the two have cultivated a family of a different kind. In 2008, shortly after their marriage, they adopted three dogs from the Best Friends Animal Society, marking the beginning of their furry family. Their pets have become an integral part of their lives, and Hunt often speaks lovingly about them in interviews. The couple lives in a cozy yet stylish bungalow in Hollywood, a place that Hunt describes as having “whimsy and a special kind of elegance.” It is in this peaceful, welcoming home that the two share their life with their dogs, finding joy in the companionship of their pets rather than expanding their family through children.
Linda Hunt rarely discusses her private life in interviews, and she and her wife, Karen Kline, keep a relatively low profile, avoiding the typical Hollywood attention. This is part of what makes their relationship so unique—while the couple has been together for decades, they have remained largely out of the public eye, focusing on their own happiness rather than the spotlight. Hunt has mentioned in passing how much she enjoys her home, particularly the guesthouse, where she sometimes goes to practice her lines for NCIS: Los Angeles while enjoying the view from the sunroom. This peaceful, secluded lifestyle is in stark contrast to the public persona of Hetty Lange, whose commanding presence and tough exterior couldn’t be further removed from the private and serene life that Linda Hunt shares with her wife.
In conclusion, while Linda Hunt’s portrayal of Hetty Lange continues to captivate NCIS: Los Angeles viewers, her personal life with Karen Kline remains a quiet, private affair. The couple, who have been together for over three decades, has chosen not to have children but instead focused on creating a loving home filled with pets and mutual respect. Their enduring relationship and commitment to each other are a testament to their shared values, and their peaceful life in Hollywood serves as a reminder of the quiet joys that come with living away from the public eye.
