Linda Harrison is an American actress best known for her iconic role as Nova in the classic Planet of the Apes (1968) and its sequel Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970). Her silent performance as the mute human survivor opposite Charlton Heston established her as a memorable figure in science fiction cinema. She also appeared in a cameo in Tim Burton’s 2001 remake of the original film.
Who is Linda Harrison?
Linda Harrison rose to fame during the late 1960s as a contract player at 20th Century Fox, where she signed a seven-year deal after winning regional beauty pageants. Her breakthrough came through the Planet of the Apes franchise, which showcased her striking presence and ability to convey emotion without dialogue. Beyond apes, she starred in disaster films like Airport 1975 and the sci-fi hit Cocoon, demonstrating versatility across genres. Though her active career peaked in the 1970s, her legacy endures through cult classics and her connection to Hollywood’s golden era of studio starlets.
Age & Biography Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Linda Melson Harrison |
| Date of Birth | July 26, 1945 |
| Age | 80 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Berlin, Maryland, USA |
| Role | Actress |
Linda Harrison Images
Early Life & Education
Linda Harrison grew up as the third of five daughters in Berlin, Maryland, surrounded by sisters Kay, Gloria, Jane, and Joan. Her father, Isaac Burbage Harrison, ran a nursery business, while her mother, Ida Virginia Melson, worked as a beautician and spotted Linda’s performing talent early. Ida enrolled her in ballet and acrobatics at age five, leading to stage performances by age six.
She attended Buckingham Elementary School and Stephen Decatur High School, where she excelled as an acrobatic dancer. After high school, Harrison briefly studied at the University of Maryland, College Park, and a secretarial school in Baltimore but found them uninspiring. At 16, she won Miss Berlin, followed by Miss Delmarva and second place in Miss America 1965, which propelled her toward acting.
Career Journey
Harrison’s Hollywood entry began when talent scout Mike Medavoy spotted her at the Miss International pageant in 1965. She signed with 20th Century Fox, attending their Talent Training School with peers like Jacqueline Bisset and James Brolin, learning drama, fencing, and speech to lose her Maryland accent.
Her debut came in the 1966 comedy The Fat Spy, followed by Way… Way Out with Jerry Lewis. In 1967, she appeared in A Guide for the Married Man. Her defining role arrived in 1968 as Nova in Planet of the Apes, a silent character that captured audiences despite minimal lines. She reprised Nova in Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970).
From 1969 to 1970, she starred as aspiring actress Paulette Douglas in the NBC series Bracken’s World, but it was canceled mid-season, leading to a contract dispute with Fox that she settled out of court. Later films included Airport 1975 (1974) with Charlton Heston and Cocoon (1985), followed by Cocoon: The Return (1988). She had smaller roles in Wild Bill (1995) and a cameo as “Woman in Cart” in Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes (2001). Her most recent credit is Midnight Massacre (2023).
- Debut film: The Fat Spy (1966)
- Breakthrough: Nova in Planet of the Apes (1968)
- Reprised role in Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
- Starred in NBC series Bracken’s World (1969-1970)
- Appeared in Airport 1975 (1974)
- Played Susan in Cocoon (1985) and sequel (1988)
- Cameo in Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes (2001)
- Latest film: Midnight Massacre (2023)
Height & Appearance
Harrison measures 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall, with a striking beauty that won her pageants and suited her roles as ethereal figures like Nova. Her dark hair, expressive eyes, and athletic build from early acrobatics training defined her screen presence in the Planet of the Apes films.
Relationship With Richard Compton
Harrison married actor and stuntman Richard Compton in 1969, shortly after filming Beneath the Planet of the Apes. They met through industry circles during her rising career at Fox. The couple welcomed two sons: Richard Dean Zanuck and another child, navigating Hollywood’s demands together until their 1978 divorce.
Post-divorce, she maintained a low profile focused on family. No public relationships have been reported since, reflecting her shift from stardom to private life.
Family Table & Net Worth
Harrison’s net worth stands at $2 million, accumulated from her film roles, television work, and residuals from enduring franchises like Planet of the Apes. Her real estate and pageant earnings contributed early on, though her selective projects post-1970s kept finances steady rather than expansive.
