Susan Kohner

Susan Kohner

from the trailer for Imitation of Life (1959)
Born Susanna Kohner
November 11, 1936 (1936-11-11) (age 75)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1955–64
Spouse John Weitz (1964–2002) (his death)

Susan Kohner (born November 11, 1936) is an American actress.

Contents

Early life and career

Born as Susanna Kohner in Los Angeles, Kohner is the daughter of Mexican actress Lupita Tovar and Jewish film producer Paul Kohner who was born in Bohemia part of Austria-Hungary. Most of Kohner's film roles came during the late 1950s and early 1960s, including co-starring with Sal Mineo in both Dino (1957) and The Gene Krupa Story (1959).

In 1959, she was cast as the racially ambiguous Sarah Jane, her most notable role, in the remake of Imitation of Life. The expensive, glossy Ross Hunter production directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Lana Turner was a box office smash. Kohner received an Academy Award nomination and won the Golden Globe in the Best Supporting Actress categories.

Following her appearance in Imitation of Life, Kohner appeared in All the Fine Young Cannibals, opposite Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner. She later had guest roles on episodic television including roles on Hong Kong, Going My Way, and Temple Houston. She made her last film appearance in 1962, co-starring with Montgomery Clift in Freud: The Secret Passion.

Personal life

In 1964, Kohner married German novelist and fashion designer John Weitz, and retired from acting. Their children, Chris and Paul Weitz, are successful film directors in Hollywood, having helmed films such as American Pie and About a Boy. Chris Weitz is best known for directing New Moon in The Twilight Saga (film series).

On April 23, 2010, a new print of Imitation of Life was screened at the TCM Film Festival in Los Angeles, California. After the screeening, Kohner appeared on stage along with her costar Juanita Moore for a question-and-answer session hosted by TCM's Robert Osborne. Kohner and Moore received standing ovations.

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1955 To Hell and Back Maria
1957 Dino Shirley Alternative title: Killer Dino
1959 Imitation of Life Sarah Jane, age 18
The Big Fisherman Fara
The Gene Krupa Story Ethel Maguire Alternative title: Drum Crazy
1960 All the Fine Young Cannibals Catherine McDowall
1961 By Love Possessed Helen Detweiler
1962 Freud: The Secret Passion Martha Freud Alternative title: Freud
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1956 The Alcoa Hour Joanna 1 episode
Four Star Playhouse Anita 1 episode
Cavalcade of American 1 episode
Climax! 2 episodes
1956–1957 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Lynn Howell 2 episodes
1957 Matinee Theatre 1 episode
Wagon Train Mokai 1 episode
Suspicion Gina 1 episode
1958 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Therese 1 episode
1960 Playhouse 90 Rachel Heller 1 episode
1961 The DuPont Show with June Allyson Clare Anderson 1 episode
Hong Kong Elena 1 episode
1961–1963 Route 66 Katherine
Midge
2 episodes
1962 Checkmate Vicki Angelo 1 episode
The Dick Powell Show Miriam Marks 1 episode
1963 The Nurses Terry Collins 1 episode
Going My Way Elaine Brady 1 episode
Temple Houston Ellena Romolo 1 episode
1964 Rawhide Abbie Bartlett 1 episode
Channing Rena 1 episode

Awards and nominations

Year Award Result Category Film
1960 Academy Award Nominated Best Supporting Actress Imitation of Life
1959 Golden Globe Award Won Most Promising Newcomer - Female
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1960 Best Supporting Actress Imitation of Life
1963 Nominated Best Supporting Actress Freud: The Secret Passion
1958 Laurel Awards Nominated Top New Female Personality
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1959 2nd Place Top Female New Personality
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External links