Inside Linda Hunt’s Whimsical & Elegant Home—And the Woman She’s Loved for 35 Years
How the “NCIS” star and her wife turned a 1919 bungalow into a dream home—and kept their love story private and strong.
Linda Hunt has always been impossible to forget on screen—whether commanding a room as Hetty Lange or stealing scenes in “The Year of Living Dangerously.” But away from the cameras, her real masterpiece might just be the home she shares with her wife of over three decades, Karen Kline.
A Childhood Marked by Difference—and Determination
Born with hypopituitary dwarfism, Hunt was often picked on as a child. Her parents, however, never saw her as anything less than capable. They nurtured her love for the arts, taking her to theater performances and encouraging her early dreams of acting.
Her mother taught her to read, and the family made sure Linda felt safe growing at her own pace—far from institutions or labels. Still, school brought its share of cruelty. Hunt was teased for her size and appearance, but she carried those wounds quietly, turning to storytelling and character work as both refuge and purpose.
Finding Her Person: Karen Kline
By the late ’80s, Hunt had made a name for herself—and had also found love. She and Karen Kline, a retired therapist, met through friends, and it wasn’t Hunt’s fame or voice that first caught Kline’s attention—it was a pair of corduroy pants.
They’ve been inseparable since moving in together in 1987. In 2008, they officially married. They don’t have children but share their lives with a trio of dogs and a deep appreciation for psychology, art, and home design.
Though Hunt is famously private, she’s spoken affectionately about Kline, once quipping in an interview: “I’m very forgiving because she’s younger… by six years.”
Behind the Doors of Their Hollywood Bungalow
From the outside, their 1919 bungalow blends seamlessly into a row of historic revival homes. But once inside, it becomes something entirely its own: a curated mix of color, personality, and thoughtful design.
Originally drawn to craftsman homes, Hunt and Kline learned that dark interiors didn’t suit them—they “lasted six months” in one such space. So when they found their current home, they brought in designer Linda Brettler to help make it feel alive.
The floor plan was reimagined for movement and light. A central hallway was relocated and transformed into a stained-glass-lit passage. A nearby bedroom became a den and guest library—featuring Art Deco and Viennese-inspired details, with black-and-white cabinetry, sunflower wallpaper, and a rich purple hue that somehow works.
Hunt added her own touch, covering a bathroom wall with decades of clipped New York Magazine covers. “From the minute I started saving them,” she said, “I knew I wanted to do something with them.”
A sunroom was added for warmth and openness, with vaulted ceilings and bold wallpaper. It’s a home that feels lived-in, layered, and distinctly theirs.
A Place to Return To
This home has been Hunt’s sanctuary—especially in recent years, as her appearances on “NCIS: LA” became less frequent. Since 2009, she’s played Hetty Lange, the elusive and brilliant operations manager, and while her screen time was reduced in later seasons, her presence has never been forgotten.
When the show celebrated her birthday on Instagram, fans flooded the comments, not just with well wishes—but with genuine longing to see her back. The last we heard of Hetty, she was on a secret mission in Syria. Whether she returns or not, her legacy on the show is sealed.
But Hunt’s story has always gone far beyond her roles. The real magic is in the life she’s built—alongside Kline, in a home filled with sunlight, whimsy, and love that’s lasted more than 35 years.
