Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthDecember 10, 1952
SpouseBernard Sofronski, Lenny Hirshan
FactBorn to Robert Smith Dey (a newspaper editor) and Ruth Dey(a nurse), Susan attended school mostly in New York State, where her father was an editor for a group of newspapers on Long Island.


Susan Dey was born on December 10, 1952, in Pekin, Illinois, to parents Robert Smith Dey, Sr., and Gail Dey. She has three older siblings: Robert, Jr., Richard, and Nancy. Susan’s father was an insurance salesman, and her mother was a homemaker. Susan’s family moved to Hollywood, California, when she was ten years old. Susan attended Notre Dame High School, where she was a cheerleader and played tennis. After graduation, Susan attended the University of Southern California on a tennis scholarship.

Susan began her acting career in the early 1970s with guest appearances on television shows such as Love, American Style and The Partridge Family. In 1971, she landed the role of Laurie Partridge on the television series The Partridge Family. The show was a hit, and Susan became a household name. She starred on The Partridge Family for four seasons, from 1971 to 1974.

In 1976, Susan starred in the television movie The Legend of Valentino. She also appeared in the television miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man – Book II that same year. In 1977, Susan starred in the film First Love with William Katt. The following year, she starred in the film The Other Side of Midnight with Marie-France Pisier.

In 1979, Susan starred in the film Looker with James Coburn. She also appeared in the television movie A Cry for Love that same year. In 1980, Susan starred in the film Can’t Stop the Music with The Village People. The following year, she starred in the film Grease 2 with Maxwell Caulfield.

In 1982, Susan starred in the film Author! Author! with Al Pacino. She also appeared in the television movie A Killing Affair that same year. In 1983, Susan starred in the film Lovespell with Richard Burton. The following year, she starred in the film The Flamingo Kid with Matt Dillon.

In 1985, Susan starred in the film Code of Silence with Chuck Norris. She also appeared in the television movie An Early Frost that same year. In 1986, Susan starred in the film Solarbabies with Jason Patric. The following year, she starred in the film Some Kind of Wonderful with Eric Stoltz.

In 1988, Susan starred in the film Hairspray with Ricki Lake. She also appeared in the television movie Do You Know the Muffin Man? that same year. In 1989, Susan starred in the film Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner. The following year, she starred in the film Loose Cannons with Gene Hackman.

In 1991, Susan starred in the film City Slickers with Billy Crystal. She also appeared in the television movie A Private Matter that same year. In 1992, Susan starred in the film Leap of Faith with Steve Martin. The following year, she starred in the film Mr. Jones with Richard Gere.

In 1994, Susan starred in the film Losing Isaiah with Halle Berry. She also appeared in the television movie A Time to Heal that same year. In 1995, Susan starred in the film First Knight with Sean Connery. The following year, she starred in the film The Mirror Has Two Faces with Barbra Streisand.

In 1997, Susan starred in the film As Good as It Gets with Jack Nicholson. She also appeared in the television movie In Cold Blood that same year. In 1998, Susan starred in the film A Civil Action with John Travolta. The following year, she starred in the film Random Hearts with Harrison Ford.

In 2000, Susan starred in the film Pay It Forward with Kevin Spacey. She also appeared in the television movie If These Walls Could Talk 2 that same year. In 2001, Susan starred in the film America’s Sweethearts with Julia Roberts. The following year, she starred in the film Moonlight Mile with Jake Gyllenhaal.

In 2003, Susan starred in the film Le Divorce with Naomi Watts. She also appeared in the television movie The Reagans that same year. In 2004, Susan starred in the film Raise Your Voice with Hilary Duff. The following year, she starred in the film Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo with Rob Schneider.

In 2006, Susan starred in the film Gray Matters with Heather Graham. She also appeared in the television movie What If God Were the Sun? that same year. In 2007, Susan starred in the film Resurrecting the Champ with Samuel L. Jackson. The following year, she starred in the film My Sister’s Keeper with Cameron Diaz.

In 2009, Susan starred in the film Love Happens with Aaron Eckhart. She also appeared in the television movie Georgia O’Keeffe that same year. In 2010, Susan starred in the film Please Give with Catherine Keener. The following year, she starred in the film Green Lantern with Ryan Reynolds.

Susan has been married three times: to Lenny Hirshan from 1976 to 1981; to Bernard Sofronski from 1988 to 1995; and to Richard Thomas from 2000 to present. She has three daughters: Sarah (born 1987), Rebecca (born 1992), and Grier (born 2002).

General Info

Full NameSusan Dey
Date Of BirthDecember 10, 1952
Height1.7 m
ProfessionActor, Model
EducationFox Lane High School
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseBernard Sofronski, Lenny Hirshan
ChildrenSara Dey-Hirshan
ParentsRobert Smith, Gail Dey
SiblingsLeslie Smith

Accomplishments

AwardsGolden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama, TV Land Favorite Teen Dream for Female Award
Music GroupsThe Partridge Family
NominationsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television, People's Choice Award for Favorite Actress in a New TV Series, TV Land Most Beautiful Braces Award, TV Land Quintessenti...
MoviesLooker, First Love, Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night, Echo Park, Bed of Lies, Terror on the Beach, Disappearance, Cage Without a Key, The Comeback Kid, Lies and Lullabies, Skyjacked, Deadly Love, The Trouble with Dick, I Love You Perfect, Little Women, Sunset Limousine, Blue River, The Captive: The...
TV ShowsL.A. Law, Emerald Point N.A.S., Loves Me, Loves Me Not, Partridge Family 2200 A.D., The Partridge Family, Goober and the Ghost Chasers, Love & War

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1Olivia Newton John got the part that had originally been meant for Susan Dey who was Laurie Partridge in The Partridge Family, but turned it down on her manager's advice.
2According to Shirley Jones' autobiography, Susan is the only star of "The Partridge Family" who has consistently refused to take part in any cast reunions.
3Ranked #61 on Vh1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars.
4Born at 4:17 AM (CST).
5Graduated from and was a drama club member of Fox Lane High School in Bedford, New York. She had parts in the school plays "Arsenic and Old Lace" and "Summer and Smoke".
6Born to Robert Smith Dey (a newspaper editor) and Ruth Dey(a nurse), Susan attended school mostly in New York State, where her father was an editor for a group of newspapers on Long Island.
7Has served 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 (1986) co-star Corbin Bernsen.
8In Gwyn Cready's comedic romance novel "Tumbling Through Time", the heroine talks about Susan and considers Laurie Partridge a personal hero, wishing she could have lived a life in "Laurie Partridge style".
9One of four children, Susan's sister Leslie became a model too just like her sister and the sisters at one time worked for the same agency. The girls became interested in modeling through their stepmother, Gail, who, after reading an article on fashion modeling in Seventeen Magazine, submitted their pictures to a top modeling agency in New York. The agency immediately signed them in 1968.
10Turned down the role of Sandy in Grease (1978).
11Came to acting by way of a teen modeling career.
12Mother, with Leonard Hirshan, of daughter Sara Dey-Hirshan, born in November 1978.

Pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Love, Lies & Lullabies1993TV MovieChristina Kinsey
L.A. Law1986-1992TV SeriesD.D.A. Grace Van Owen Grace Van Owen Judge Grace Van Owen
Bed of Lies1992TV MovieVickie Daniel
I Love You Perfect1989TV MovieChristina Taylor
That's Adequate1989Southern Belle
A Place at the Table1988TV MovieBeth Williams
Angel in Green1987TV MovieSister Ann McKeon
The Trouble with Dick1986Diane
Echo Park1985May
Love Leads the Way: A True Story1984TV MovieBeth
Emerald Point N.A.S.1983-1984TV SeriesCelia Mallory Warren
Sunset Limousine1983TV MovieJulie Preston
Malibu1983TV MovieLinda Harvey
The Gift of Life1982TV MovieJoleen Sutton
Looker1981Cindy Fairmont
The Comeback Kid1980TV MovieMegan Barrett
Little Women1978TV Mini-SeriesJosephine 'Jo' March
Fred Flintstone and Friends1977TV Series voice
First Love1977Caroline Hedges
Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night1977TV MovieRowena Harper
Loves Me, Loves Me Not1977TV SeriesJane
Barnaby Jones1977TV SeriesLinda Jason
The Captive: The Longest Drive 21976Charlotte Ross
The Streets of San Francisco1976TV SeriesBarbara Ross
The Quest1976TV SeriesCharlotte Ross
Good Heavens1976TV Series
Petrocelli1976TV SeriesJenny Halliday
Matt Helm1976TV SeriesEllen Tanner
Hawaii Five-O1975TV SeriesSusan Bradshaw
S.W.A.T.1975TV SeriesJanice
Cage Without a Key1975TV MovieValerie Smith
The Rookies1975TV SeriesAngel
Born Free1974TV SeriesTerri Hill
Partridge Family 2200 AD1974TV SeriesLaurie Partridge (1974-1975) (voice)
The Partridge Family1970-1974TV SeriesLaurie Partridge
Goober and the Ghost Chasers1973TV SeriesLaurie Partridge
Terror on the Beach1973TV MovieDeeDee Glynn
Circle of Fear1973TV SeriesPeggy
Skyjacked1972Elly Brewster
Third Watch2004TV SeriesDr. Breene
Rain2003Diane Davis
L.A. Law: The Movie2002TV MovieD.A. Grace Van Owen
Disappearance2002TV MoviePatty Henley
Family Law1999TV SeriesKaren Hershey
Avenged1998Margo
Bridge of Time1997TV MovieMadeleine Armstrong
Blue River1995TV MovieMrs. Sellers
Deadly Love1995TV MovieRebecca Barnes
Beyond Betrayal1994TV MovieJoanna / Emma Doyle
Whose Child Is This? The War for Baby Jessica1993TV MovieRoberta 'Robby' DeBoer
Love & War1992-1993TV SeriesWallis 'Wally' Porter

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Love, Lies & Lullabies1993TV Movie co-producer
I Love You Perfect1989TV Movie co-producer

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The LA Law Story2014Video documentary
NBC 75th Anniversary Special2002TV SpecialHerself
The Rosie O'Donnell Show1996-2002TV SeriesHerself
Entertainment Tonight Presents: TV's Greatest Scandals2000TV Movie documentaryHerself
Entertainment Tonight Presents: L.A. Law - Secrets of the Firm2000TV Movie documentaryHerself
The 48th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1996TV SpecialHerself - Audience Member
The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1993TV SpecialHerself - Audience Member
Good Morning America1993TV SeriesHerself
The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1992TV SpecialHerself - Co-Presenter: Outstanding Supporting Actress in Drama Series
Saturday Night Live1992TV SeriesHerself - Host / Laurie Partridge
The 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards1992TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Drama
The 18th Annual People's Choice Awards1992TV SpecialHerself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Drama Series
The Arsenio Hall Show1989-1991TV SeriesHerself
The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1991TV SpecialHerself - Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special
L.A. Law 100th Episode Celebration1991TV MovieHerself / Grace Van Owen
The 48th Annual Golden Globe Awards1991TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Drama
The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1990TV SpecialHerself - Audience Member
MTV Video Music Awards 19901990TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
Special Gala: A Tribute to David Wolper1990TV MovieHerself
The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards1990TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Drama
Comicitis1989ShortHerself
The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1989TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
CBS This Morning1989TV SeriesHerself
The 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards1989TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Best Actress in a TV-Series Drama
The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1988TV SpecialHerself - Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series / Presenter: Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series / Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program / ...
The 45th Annual Golden Globe Awards1988TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Best Actress in a TV-Series - Drama
The Annual Entertainment Industry Honors Presentes a Salute to Bud Grant1987TV MovieHerself
The 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1987TV SpecialHerself - Nominee / Presenter
The 13th Annual People's Choice Awards1987TV SpecialHerself - Accepting Award for Favourite New Television Drama Program
The National Leukemia Broadcast Council Honors Shirley Jones1979TV MovieHerself
The Merv Griffin Show1977TV SeriesHerself
The Mike Douglas Show1977TV SeriesHerself / Herself - Actress
A Thanksgiving Reunion with the Partridge Family and My Three Sons1977TV MovieHerself
The 20th Annual Genii Awards1974TV SpecialHerself
The Hollywood Squares1971-1973TV SeriesHerself
The Virginia Graham Show1971TV SeriesHerself
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour1971TV SeriesHerself
New American Bandstand 19651971TV SeriesHerself - Judge in Miss 16 Contest
This Is Your Life1971TV SeriesHerself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Inside Edition2015TV Series documentaryHerself
Saucy 70's Volume 22010Video documentary
100 Greatest Teen Stars2007TV Mini-SeriesHerself
Mr. Skin's Top 100 Celebrity Nude Scenes2007Video documentaryCaroline
101 Most Unforgettable SNL Moments2004TV MovieHerself
Biography2003-2004TV Series documentaryHerself / Laurie Partridge

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2004TV Land AwardTV Land AwardsFavorite Teen Dream - FemaleThe Partridge Family (1970)
1988Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - DramaL.A. Law (1986)
1976Bravo Otto GermanyBravo OttoBest Female TV Star (TV-Star w)
1975Bravo Otto GermanyBravo OttoBest Female TV Star (TV-Star w)
1974Bravo Otto GermanyBravo OttoBest Female TV Star (TV-Star w)
1973Bravo Otto GermanyBravo OttoBest Female TV Star (TV-Star w)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2007TV Land AwardTV Land AwardsMost Beautiful BracesThe Partridge Family (1970)
2006TV Land AwardTV Land AwardsFavorite Singing SiblingsThe Partridge Family (1970)
2003TV Land AwardTV Land AwardsQuintessential Non-Traditional FamilyThe Partridge Family (1970)
1992Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - DramaL.A. Law (1986)
1991Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - DramaL.A. Law (1986)
1990Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - DramaL.A. Law (1986)
1990Q AwardViewers for Quality Television AwardsBest Actress in a Quality Drama SeriesL.A. Law (1986)
1989Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - DramaL.A. Law (1986)
1989Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama SeriesL.A. Law (1986)
1988Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama SeriesL.A. Law (1986)
1987Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama SeriesL.A. Law (1986)
1973Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest Supporting Actress - TelevisionThe Partridge Family (1970)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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