| Susan Ruttan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Susan Diane Dunsrud September 16, 1948 Oregon City, Oregon, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse | Mel Ruttan (August 26, 1967-November 22, 1970; his death) Joseph Warbis (1990-1993) |
Susan Ruttan (born September 16, 1948, Oregon City, Oregon) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Roxanne Melman on L.A. Law (1986–1993). She reprised the role in 2002 for the TV reunion L.A. Law: The Movie.
Ruttan first attracted significant attention playing the scheming wife of George Jefferson's dry-cleaning archrival, Gil Cunningham, on The Jeffersons. Other television appearances included episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, AfterMash, Bosom Buddies, Third Rock from the Sun, Remington Steele, Yes, Dear, Newhart and Gilmore Girls. Buffy creator Joss Whedon cast numerous show alumni in 2008's Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, including Ruttan who appeared briefly in a non-speaking role. Ruttan played convicted killer Genene Jones in the television movie Deadly Medicine (1991). She has also appeared in an episode of Hannah Montana ("Promma Mia"). Ruttan also played in The Ultimate Christmas Present as Mrs.Clause
Her most dramatic role to date was in the 2004 remake of Helter Skelter, in which she played the mother of Linda Kasabian.
Born as Susan Diane Dunsrud in 1948, Ruttan has been married twice. Her first marriage, to Mel Ruttan in 1967, ended with his death in a motorcycle accident three years later. Her second marriage, to Randy Mcdonald, lasted from 1990 to 1993. She is the mother of Jackson Ruttan (born May 19, 1993), whom she adopted.