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Revision as of 03:11, 17 January 2011
| Susan Dey | |
|---|---|
 Susan Dey at the 1990 Annual Emmy Awards | |
| Born | Susan Hallock Smith (1952-12-10) December 10, 1952 (age 72) Pekin, Illinois, United States |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1970–2004 |
Susan Dey (born December 10, 1952) is an American actress, known primarily for her roles in film and television. Her most 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.
Life and career
Dey was born Susan Hallock Smith in Pekin, Illinois, 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. This raw look at child abuse was brilliantly acted by Dey and gave viewers a glimpse into her pre-L.A. Law dramatic abilities.
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. It was quite a departure from her role of Laurie Partridge as this film dealt with mature sexual subject matter and had full body nudity for both Katt & Dey.
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.
She was critically hailed for her starring role in the TV 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.
Dey hosted a 1992 episode of Saturday Night Live. Later that year, she co-starred in the CBS sitcom, Love & War, with Jay Thomas. Although the show ran until 1995, Dey lasted only one season, getting replaced in 1993 by Annie Potts (who went on to earn an Emmy nomination for her performance).
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 producer 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.
Filmography
- L.A. Law: The Movie (2002) – D.A. Grace Van Owen
- Rain (2003) – Dianne Davis
- Bridge Of Time (1997) – Madeleine Armstrong
- Deadly Love (1995) (TV) – Rebecca Barnes
- Beyond Betrayal (1994) – Joanna/Emily Doyle
- Love & War (1992) – Wallis 'Wally' Porter (1992–1993)
- Bed of Lies (1992) – Vicky Daniel
- The Trouble with Dick (1987) – Diane
- L.A. Law (1986) (TV) – Grace Van Owen (1986–1992)
- Echo Park (1986) – May
- Emerald Point N.A.S. (1983) (TV) – Celia Mallory Warren
- Malibu (1983) (TV) – Linda Harvey
- Looker (1981) – Cindy Fairmont
- The Comeback Kid (1980) (TV) – Megan Barrett
- Little Women (1978) (TV) – Josephine 'Jo' March
- First Love (1977) – Caroline
- Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (1977) (TV) – Rowena Harper
- Loves Me, Loves Me Not (1977) (TV) – Jane
- The Quest (1976) TV in "The Captive"; Charlotte Ross
- Cage Without a Key (1975) (TV) – Valerie Smith
- S.W.A.T. (1975) (TV) – Deadly Tide, Parts 1 & 2 – Janice
- Hawaii Five-O (1975) (TV) – Target? the Lady, – Susan Bradshaw
- Terror on the Beach (1973) (TV) – DeeDee Glynn
- The Partridge Family (1970) (TV) – Laurie Partridge (1970–1974)
References in popular culture
- In Gwyn Cready's comedic romance novel, Tumbling Through Time, Seph Pyle, the heroine, talks about Susan Dey; considers Laurie Partridge a personal hero; and wishes she could be living life "Laurie Partridge-style."
- The season three episode, "Red Sees Red", of That 70s Show parodies The Brady Bunch Variety Hour: Shirley Jones, who played the mother on The Partridge Family, walks in, and it is mentioned that Eric and Hyde are choosing to move out and become Partridges. At the end of this discussion, Hyde claims, "I'm pretty sure I can nail Susan Dey!".