Linda Hunt: Was NCIS LA star inspiration for The Incredibles’ Edna?

Linda Hunt: Was NCIS LA Hetty Lange star inspiration for The Incredibles’ Edna Mode?

LINDA HUNT is best known for playing the iconic role of Operations Manager Hetty Lange in CBS series NCIS Los Angeles. But did the 75-year-old actress inspire the creation of beloved animated character Edna Mode from The Incredibles?

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Linda Hunt is one of the most recognisable actresses in Hollywood, not only for her height but her hairstyle, glasses and overall style. This has led to many fans pointing out over the years how Pixar’s Edna Mode resembles the NCIS Los Angeles actress. So is there actually a connection between the two or is it just a coincidence?

Was NCIS LA Hetty Lange star inspiration for The Incredibles’ Edna Mode?

The Incredibles is an animated movie from Pixar about a family with superpowers who, at first, are trying to fit in with everyday society.

This is until they find themselves involved in a dangerous situation where Mr Incredible is captured by Sydrome and his wife Elastagirl and their children need to save him.

The whole story started though when Bob – also known as Mr Incredible – visits his former fashion designer Edna Mode to get a new costume fitted.

The designer is known for creating the costumes of famous superheroes but has become one of the most loved characters from the franchise for her eccentric and often demanding attitude.

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Linda Hunt: Was NCIS LA star inspiration for The Incredibles’ Edna Mode? (Image: Getty/Pixar)

Linda Hunt: The actress plays Hetty Lange in NCIS Los Angeles. (Image: Getty)

Similar to NCIS LA’s Hunt, Edna is short in stature and has an uncanny style to the Hetty star.

So did the creators really get the inspiration for Edna’s look from actress Hunt?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like this is the case and it is just a coincidence. This is because it is believed Edna was actually based on another iconic fashion designer.

Linda Hunt: Fans have pointed out there is a similarity between the NCIS LA star and Edna Mode. (Image: Pixar)

Fashion designer Edith Head is believed to be the inspiration behind character Edna Mode. (Image: Getty)

Edna is widely believed to have been inspired by costume designer Edith Head, who also resembles the cartoon character.

While actress Hunt’s look does seem more similar to Edna than Head, at the time it doesn’t seem like she was the one who inspired the creators.

Head earned 35 Academy Award nominations for her work on major films including Alfred Hitchcock movies such as Vertigo, Rear Window and The Birds.

She designed the costumes for more than 430 productions and was awarded eight Academy Awards.

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Head also has a very familiar attitude which can be likened to Edna’s.

Some of her famous quotes have included: “Some people need sequins, others don’t” and “Your dresses should be tight enough to show you’re a woman and loose enough to show you’re a lady.”

Another famous sassy quote from Head has been: “I hate modesty”, which does sound like something Edna would say.

The Incredibles director Brad Bird has never officially confirmed Head is the inspiration behind Edna but is the celebrity most likely to be.

However, there have been numerous other names mentioned in the past.

Other names which have been dropped include actress Lotte Lenya who played Bond villain Colonel Rosa Klebb in From

Russia With Love, as well as fashion designers Anna Wintour and Mary Quant.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly in 2004, Bird said: “I’ve heard, like, 15 different people she [Edna] reminds people of.”
So while Hunt may not be the direct inspiration for Edna, there is no arguing they are the spitting image of one another.

NCIS Los Angeles season 12 will start tomorrow, Sunday, November 8, on CBS.