Susan Dey
Encyclopedia
Susan Dey is an American
actress, known primarily for her roles in film
and television
. Her more prominent parts came as elder daughter, Laurie Partridge, on the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family
, and as Grace Van Owen, a California assistant district attorney
and judge
on the dramatic series, L.A. Law
, a role she played from 1986 to 1992.
, the daughter of Gail (née Dey), a nurse who died of pneumonia when Dey was eight years old, and Robert Smith, a newspaper editor. She adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name. She graduated from Fox Lane High School
in Bedford, New York
.
Dey was a model
before starring as Laurie Partridge in the television series The Partridge Family
from 1970–1974. She was 17 years old when she won the part and had no previous acting experience.
In a 1977 made-for-television movie, Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night
, Dey portrayed a disturbed young mother with serious psychological problems, who begins to take them out on her toddler daughter. Also in 1977, Dey starred opposite William Katt
in a romance film, First Love
, directed by Joan Darling
. The movie is based upon the story, Sentimental Education, by Harold Brodkey
.
Dey co-starred with Albert Finney
in a 1981 science-fiction film, Looker
, written and directed by Michael Crichton
. She had a leading role in 1986's Echo Park
as a struggling waitress/actress who takes a job as a stripper
who delivers singing telegrams.
Dey starred on the television series L.A. Law
as Grace Van Owen and earned a Golden Globe Award
as "Actress In A Leading Role – Drama Series" for the role in 1987. Dey was nominated four more times the following four years. She was also nominated for the Emmy Award
for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" for this role in 1987, 1988, and 1989.
She hosted a 1992 episode of Saturday Night Live
. Later that year, she co-starred in the Diane English
/CBS
sitcom, Love & War, with Jay Thomas
. Although the show ran until 1995, Dey was replaced in 1993 by Annie Potts
. In 1993, she produced and starred in the ABC Movie of the Week
Lies & Lullabies
(later released on DVD as Sad Inheritance
), where she played a pregnant cocaine addict.
Bernard Sofronski, since 1988. She serves as a board member of the Rape Treatment Center at UCLA Medical Center and co-narrated a documentary on campus rape with her L.A. Law
co-star, Corbin Bernsen
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, known primarily for her roles in film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
. Her more prominent parts came as elder daughter, Laurie Partridge, on the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family is an American television sitcom about a widowed mother and her five children who embark on a music career. The series originally ran from September 25, 1970 until August 31, 1974, the last new episode airing on March 23, 1974, on the ABC network, as part of a Friday-night lineup...
, and as Grace Van Owen, a California assistant district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
and judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
on the dramatic series, L.A. Law
L.A. Law
L.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
, a role she played from 1986 to 1992.
Life and career
Dey was born Susan Hallock Smith in Pekin, IllinoisPekin, Illinois
Pekin is a the county seat of Tazewell County in the U.S. state of Illinois. Located on the Illinois River, Pekin is also the largest city of Tazewell County, and a key part of the Peoria metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, its population is 34,094. A small portion of the city limits extends...
, the daughter of Gail (née Dey), a nurse who died of pneumonia when Dey was eight years old, and Robert Smith, a newspaper editor. She adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name. She graduated from Fox Lane High School
Fox Lane High School
Fox Lane High School is a public secondary school located in the town of Bedford, New York. It is named after the road, Fox Lane, that begins just to the side of the school's driveway. Fox Lane is considered to be one of Westchester County's top public high schools, noted for its commitment to...
in Bedford, New York
Bedford (town), New York
Bedford is a town in Westchester County, New York, USA. The population was 17,335 at the 2010 census.The Town of Bedford is located in the northeastern part of Westchester County, and contains the three hamlets of Bedford Hills, Bedford Village, and Katonah...
.
Dey was a model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
before starring as Laurie Partridge in the television series The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family is an American television sitcom about a widowed mother and her five children who embark on a music career. The series originally ran from September 25, 1970 until August 31, 1974, the last new episode airing on March 23, 1974, on the ABC network, as part of a Friday-night lineup...
from 1970–1974. She was 17 years old when she won the part and had no previous acting experience.
In a 1977 made-for-television movie, Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night
Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night
Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night is a Golden Globe nominated CBS television film starring Susan Dey as an abusive mother. The film, which aired in October 1977, was written and produced by Joanna Lee and featured a supporting cast including Rhea Perlman, Kevin McCarthy and Natasha Ryan as Mary...
, Dey portrayed a disturbed young mother with serious psychological problems, who begins to take them out on her toddler daughter. Also in 1977, Dey starred opposite William Katt
William Katt
William Theodore Katt is an American film and television actor, best known as the star of The Greatest American Hero. He is also known for playing Tommy Ross, the ill-fated prom date of Carrie White in the film version of Carrie and Paul Drake Jr. in the Perry Mason TV movies...
in a romance film, First Love
First Love (1977 film)
First Love is a 1977 romance film. It stars Susan Dey and William Katt and was directed by Joan Darling. The movie is based upon the story Sentimental Education by Harold Brodkey...
, directed by Joan Darling
Joan Darling
Joan Darling is an actress, film and television director and a dramatic arts instructor.Joan "Joni" Kugell began her career with the New York improvisational theater troupe "Premise Players", and soon graduated to off-Broadway and Broadway productions. She gravitated to feature films and...
. The movie is based upon the story, Sentimental Education, by Harold Brodkey
Harold Brodkey
Harold Brodkey, born Aaron Roy Weintraub was an American writer, and novelist.-Life:Brodkey was raised in University City, Missouri outside St. Louis...
.
Dey co-starred with Albert Finney
Albert Finney
Albert Finney is an English actor. He achieved prominence in films in the early 1960s, and has maintained a successful career in theatre, film and television....
in a 1981 science-fiction film, Looker
Looker
Looker is a 1981 science fiction film written and directed by Michael Crichton. It starred Albert Finney, Susan Dey, and James Coburn. Former NFL linebacker Tim Rossovich was featured as the villain's main henchman....
, written and directed by Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton
John Michael Crichton , best known as Michael Crichton, was an American best-selling author, producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for his work in the science fiction, medical fiction, and thriller genres. His books have sold over 200 million copies worldwide, and many have been adapted...
. She had a leading role in 1986's Echo Park
Echo Park (film)
Echo Park is a 1986 comedy-drama film, set in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The plot follows several aspiring actors, musicians and models.-Cast:...
as a struggling waitress/actress who takes a job as a stripper
Stripper
A stripper is a professional erotic dancer who performs a contemporary form of striptease at strip club establishments, public exhibitions, and private engagements. Unlike in burlesque, the performer in the modern Americanized form of stripping minimizes the interaction of customer and dancer,...
who delivers singing telegrams.
Dey starred on the television series L.A. Law
L.A. Law
L.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
as Grace Van Owen and earned a Golden Globe Award
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
as "Actress In A Leading Role – Drama Series" for the role in 1987. Dey was nominated four more times the following four years. She was also nominated for the Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" for this role in 1987, 1988, and 1989.
She hosted a 1992 episode of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. Later that year, she co-starred in the Diane English
Diane English
Diane English is an American film director, screenwriter and producer, known for creating the sitcom Murphy Brown. She also served as writer and executive producer of the sitcom My Sister Sam.-Life and career:...
/CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
sitcom, Love & War, with Jay Thomas
Jay Thomas
Jay Thomas is an American actor, comedian and radio talk show host.-Personal life:Thomas was born in Kermit, Texas. He was raised in his Italian American mother's Roman Catholic faith, although his father was Protestant....
. Although the show ran until 1995, Dey was replaced in 1993 by Annie Potts
Annie Potts
Anne Hampton "Annie" Potts is an American film and television actress. She is known for her roles in the 1980s popular films such as Ghostbusters , Pretty in Pink , Jumpin' Jack Flash , Who's Harry Crumb? and Ghostbusters II . Potts is also known as a voice-actress...
. In 1993, she produced and starred in the ABC Movie of the Week
ABC Movie of the Week
The ABC Movie of the Week is a weekly television anthology series, featuring made-for-TV movies, that aired on the ABC network in various permutations from 1969 to 1975.-History:...
Lies & Lullabies
Lies and Lullabies
Lies and Lullabies is an award-winning Rod Hardy-directed 1993 ABC television movie about a pregnant cocaine addict, played by Susan Dey. The film was released on DVD as Sad Inheritance in 2005 and is also sometimes known as Love, Lies and Lullabies.-Plot:Christina is the adult daughter of an...
(later released on DVD as Sad Inheritance
Lies and Lullabies
Lies and Lullabies is an award-winning Rod Hardy-directed 1993 ABC television movie about a pregnant cocaine addict, played by Susan Dey. The film was released on DVD as Sad Inheritance in 2005 and is also sometimes known as Love, Lies and Lullabies.-Plot:Christina is the adult daughter of an...
), where she played a pregnant cocaine addict.
Personal life
Dey was married to Lenny Hirshan from 1976-1981. They had one daughter, Sarah Hirshan (born 1978). Dey has been married to her second husband, television producerTelevision producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
Bernard Sofronski, since 1988. She serves as a board member of the Rape Treatment Center at UCLA Medical Center and co-narrated a documentary on campus rape with her L.A. Law
L.A. Law
L.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
co-star, Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Bernsen
Corbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is best known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, and as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych...
.
Filmography
- Rain (2003) – Dianne Davis
- Disappearance (2002) – Petty Henley
- L.A. Law: The MovieL.A. Law: The MovieL.A. Law: The Movie , is a television movie which reunited most of the original cast of the 1986-1994 television drama L.A. Law. Prominent castmembers who did not return included Blair Underwood , Jimmy Smits , Amanda Donohoe and John Spencer .The movie's initial working title was L.A...
(2002) – D.A. Grace Van Owen - Avenged (1998) – Margo
- Bridge Of Time (1997) – Madeleine Armstrong
- Blue River (1995) (TV) –
- Deadly LoveDeadly LoveDeadly Love is a 1995 Lifetime Original Movie starring Susan Dey as a lonely vampire photographer. The film was based on the book Love Bites by Sherry Gottlieb and co-stars Stephen McHattie..-Plot:...
(1995) (TV) – Rebecca Barnes - Beyond Betrayal (1994) – Joanna/Emily Doyle
- Lies and LullabiesLies and LullabiesLies and Lullabies is an award-winning Rod Hardy-directed 1993 ABC television movie about a pregnant cocaine addict, played by Susan Dey. The film was released on DVD as Sad Inheritance in 2005 and is also sometimes known as Love, Lies and Lullabies.-Plot:Christina is the adult daughter of an...
(also known as Sad InheritanceLies and LullabiesLies and Lullabies is an award-winning Rod Hardy-directed 1993 ABC television movie about a pregnant cocaine addict, played by Susan Dey. The film was released on DVD as Sad Inheritance in 2005 and is also sometimes known as Love, Lies and Lullabies.-Plot:Christina is the adult daughter of an...
) (1993) – Christina Kinsey - Love & War (TV series 1992-93) – Wallis "Wally" Porter
- Bed of LiesBed of LiesBed of Lies is a fact-based 1992 made-for-ABC television docudrama starring Susan Dey and Chris Cooper.-Plot:Based on the true story, Bed of Lies tells the story of Vicky Moore , a low born Texas waitress, marries Marion Price Daniel Jr., the son of Texas governor Marion Price Daniel, Sr., thinking...
(1992) – Vicky Daniel - The Trouble with Dick (1987) – Diane
- L.A. LawL.A. LawL.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
(1986) (TV series) – Grace Van Owen (1986–1992) - Echo ParkEcho Park (film)Echo Park is a 1986 comedy-drama film, set in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The plot follows several aspiring actors, musicians and models.-Cast:...
(1986) – May - Emerald Point N.A.S.Emerald Point N.A.S.Emerald Point N.A.S is an American television drama starring Dennis Weaver that premiered on CBS on Monday, September 26, 1983. It was cancelled in 1984 after twenty-two weeks, its final episode airing March 12, 1984....
(1983) (TV series) – Celia Mallory Warren - MalibuMalibu (film)Malibu is a 1983 television film, based on a novel by William Murray. Featuring Kim Novak, Susan Dey, Troy Donahue and James Coburn, the all star miniseries involves a young couple from Milwaukee, who move into the fabled, high-society Malibu beach community, and become involved with the lives of...
(1983) (TV movie) – Linda Harvey - LookerLookerLooker is a 1981 science fiction film written and directed by Michael Crichton. It starred Albert Finney, Susan Dey, and James Coburn. Former NFL linebacker Tim Rossovich was featured as the villain's main henchman....
(1981) – Cindy Fairmont - The Comeback Kid (1980) (TV movie) – Megan Barrett
- Little WomenLittle Women (1978 film)For other motion pictures of this title, see Little Women Little Women is a 1978 romantic family drama television film directed by David Lowell Rich and based upon Louisa May Alcott's novel of the same name. The screenplay was written by Suzanne Clauser...
(1978) (TV movie) – Jo March - First LoveFirst Love (1977 film)First Love is a 1977 romance film. It stars Susan Dey and William Katt and was directed by Joan Darling. The movie is based upon the story Sentimental Education by Harold Brodkey...
(1977) – Caroline - Mary Jane Harper Cried Last NightMary Jane Harper Cried Last NightMary Jane Harper Cried Last Night is a Golden Globe nominated CBS television film starring Susan Dey as an abusive mother. The film, which aired in October 1977, was written and produced by Joanna Lee and featured a supporting cast including Rhea Perlman, Kevin McCarthy and Natasha Ryan as Mary...
(1977) (TV) – Rowena Harper - Loves Me, Loves Me Not (1977) (TV series) – Jane Benson
- The Quest (1976) TV in "The Captive"; Charlotte Ross
- Cage Without a KeyCage Without a KeyCage Without a Key is a 1975 made-for-TV movie starring Susan Dey and Sam Bottoms, with Jonelle Allen and Lani O'Grady in supporting roles. The movie appeared on the NBC television network, later repeating on The CBS Late Movie...
(1975) (TV movie) – Valerie Smith - S.W.A.T.S.W.A.T. (TV series)----S.W.A.T. is a 1970s American television series about the adventures of the WCPD's Olympic Division Special Weapons And Tactics team operating in an unidentified California city....
(1975) (TV series) – episode: "Deadly Tide" (parts 1 & 2) – Janice - Hawaii Five-OHawaii Five-OHawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for twelve seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. The show featured a fictional state police unit run by Detective Steve McGarrett,...
(1975) (TV series; 1 episode: "Target? the Lady"), – Susan Bradshaw - Terror on the Beach (1973) (TV) – DeeDee Glynn
- SkyjackedSkyjackedSkyjacked is a 1972 disaster film starring Charlton Heston, James Brolin, and Yvette Mimieux. The film is based on the David Harper novel Hijacked.- Plot :...
(1972) – Elly Brewster - The Partridge FamilyThe Partridge FamilyThe Partridge Family is an American television sitcom about a widowed mother and her five children who embark on a music career. The series originally ran from September 25, 1970 until August 31, 1974, the last new episode airing on March 23, 1974, on the ABC network, as part of a Friday-night lineup...
(1970) (TV series) – Laurie Partridge (1970–1974)