The producers of exorcist wanted her badly to be in that film. It was Dana's mother who would not allow her to take part because she did not want her daughter in such films.

This was supposed to be a reply yo the plato-exorcist thread sorry folks clicked the wrong icon : )

That's what I heard originally also, but I've heard more recently that was not that case. That's what her mother may have told her, but she was never really considered for the part because she was too young. Linda Blair was their #1 choice and the part was hers if she wanted it and of course she did.