Jaclyn Linetsky


Jaclyn Michelle Linetsky was a Canadian actress who played Megan O'Connor on 15/Love and the title character on Caillou.

Early life

Jaclyn Michelle Linetsky was born at the Jewish General Hospital to Jewish parents, Terry and Larry Linetsky. She had two siblings, Kelly and Derek. Linetsky was raised in the suburb of Hampstead in Montreal, Quebec. She graduated from St. George's School of Montreal in 2003 where she made a speech at the graduation ceremony.

Career

Linetsky began her career in 1994 at the age of 8 when she acted in stage productions. At age 10, she was in a radio milk advertisement. In 2000, Linetsky dubbed the English voice of the titular character in the preschool animated series Caillou until her death in 2003. She also provided the voices for Bitzi in the 2002 animated series Daft Planet, Lori Mackney in What's with Andy?, Kit on Kit and Kaboodle, Yukari on Tommy and Oscar, Brenda on Rotten Ralph and Meg in Mega Babies. Her other roles in voice acting included, The Kids from Room 402, Wunschpunsch, The Country Mouse and the City Mouse Adventures, Pet Pals, Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings, Jim Button and video games Alex Builds His Farm and Evolution Worlds. In 2003, Linetsky was cast in the tennis-circuit-themed dramatic series 15/Love on YTV. Her character, Megan O'Connor was mutually falling in love with co-star Vadim Schneider's character, Sebastien Dubé.

Death

On September 8, 2003, at the age of 17, Linetsky and Vadim Schneider were on their way to the set of 15/Love in St. Cesaire, Quebec, in a Dodge Grand Caravan. The van lost control and collided head-on with a semi-truck, causing the vehicle to burst into flames. Both Linetsky and Schneider were killed instantly.

Tributes

The episode of What's with Andy? entitled "Nurse Jen" was dedicated to her memory, as was the 15/Love episode entitled "Curveballs" and a Caillou DVD in the UK.