Susan Dey

Susan Dey
Susan Dey at the 1990 Annual Emmy Awards
Born	Susan Hallock Smith December 10, 1952 (1952-12-10) (age 56) Pekin, Illinois, United States

Susan Dey (born December 10, 1952) is an American actress, known primarily for her roles in film and television. Dey is known for her roles as eldest 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) and Robert Smith, a newspaper editor.^[1] 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. 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. She earned a Golden Globe award as "Actress In A Leading Role – Drama Series" for this role in 1987. She 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 (2001) – Dianne Davis
• 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
• 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
• Cage Without a Key (1975) (TV) – Valerie Smith
• S.W.A.T. (1975) (TV) – Deadly Tide, Parts 1 & 2 – Janice

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."
• In That 70s Show (the season three episode Red Sees Red), they parody The Brady Bunch Variety Hour: Shirley Jones, who played the mother of The Partridge Family (an opposing show made at the same time), 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!".

References

External links

• Susan Dey at the Internet Movie Database