Susan Dey

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Susan Dey

Publicity photo for The Partridge Family, 1970
Born Susan Hallock Smith
(1952-12-10) December 10, 1952
Pekin, Illinois, United States
Occupation Actress
Years active 1970–2004
Spouse(s) Lenny Hirshan (1976–1981)
Bernard Sofronski (1988– )
Children Sarah Hirshan (b. 1978)

Susan Dey (born December 10, 1952) is a former 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.

Early life and education

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.[1] She adopted her mother's maiden name as her professional name. She attended Columbus Elementary School in Thornwood, NY later moving to Bedford, NY where She graduated from Fox Lane High School in Bedford, New York.

Career

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.

Personal life

Dey was married to Lenny Hirshan from 1976–1981. They have 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.[citation needed]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1970-1974 The Partridge Family Laurie Partridge 96 episodes
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
1972 Skyjacked Elly Brewster
1973 Terror on the Beach DeeDee Glynn Television movie
1973 Ghost story Peggy Episode: "Doorway to death"
1975 Cage without a key Valerie Smith Television movie
1975 Hawaii Five-O Susan Bradshaw Episode: "Target? the Lady"
1975 S.W.A.T. Janice 2 episodes
1975 The Quest Charlotte Rosee Episode: "The Captive"
1976 The Streets of San Francisco Barbara Ross Episode: "The Thrill Killers" (2 episodes)
1977 Loves Me, Loves Me Not Jane Benson 6 episodes[2]
1977 Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night Rowena Harper Television movie
1977 First Love Caroline
1978 Little Women Jo March Television movie
1980 The Comeback Kid Megan Barrett Television movie
1981 Looker Cindy Fairmont
1983 Malibu Linda Harvey Television movie
1983–1984 Emerald Point N.A.S. Celia Mallory 22 episodes[3]
1986 Echo Park May
1986–1992 L.A. Law Grace Van Owen 126 episodes
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (1987–1989)
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (1989–1992)
1987 The Trouble with Dick Diane
1992 Bed of Lies Vicky Daniel
1992–1993 Love & War Wallis "Wally" Porter 23 episodes
1993 Lies and Lullabies Christina Kinsey Television movie
1994 Beyond Betrayal Joanna/Emily Doyle Television movie
1995 Deadly Love Rebecca Barnes Television movie
1995 Blue River Mrs. Sellers Television movie
1997 Bridge of Time Madeleine Armstrong Television movie
1998 Avenged Margo
2002 L.A. Law: The Movie Grace Van Owen
2002 Disappearance Patty Henley
2003 Rain Dianna Davis
2004 Third Watch Dr. Breene 2 episodes

References

  1. "Susan Dey Biography (1952–)". Filmreference.com. Advameg, Inc. 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013. 
  2. Terrace, p. 252.
  3. Terrace, p. 127.

Sources

External links

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