Susan Blakely is a renowned TV and film actor, model, and jewelry designer, best known for her stunning performances in popular films during the 1970s and 1980s. Born on September 7, 1948, in Frankfurt, Germany, to U.S. Army Colonel Lawrence Blakely, Susan spent her childhood traveling extensively throughout the world, including Korea, Hawaii, and Texas.
After studying at the University of Texas, Susan moved to New York and became a successful model, working for the Ford Modeling Agency. She was encouraged to try her hand at acting and studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse. Married to lawyer and screenwriting hopeful Todd Merer in 1969, they moved to Hollywood to pursue their dreams.
Susan's early film roles included Savages (1972) and The Way We Were (1973). Her breakout role came in Irwin Allen's epic disaster The Towering Inferno (1974),playing the spoiled princess-like daughter of a wealthy businessman. This role marked the beginning of her successful career in Hollywood, earning her a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination for her exceptional work in the acclaimed TV mini-series Rich Man, Poor Man (1976).
Throughout her career, Susan has taken on a wide range of roles, from playing Hitler's mistress Eva Braun in The Bunker (1981) to a crime attorney in Honor Thy Father and Mother: The True Story of the Menendez Murders (1994). She has also appeared in several TV movies, including A Cry for Love (1980) and My Mom's a Werewolf (1989).
In the 2000s, Susan continued to work in film and television, starring in Hungry Hearts (2002) and appearing in several short films. She has also had roles in TV shows such as Diagnosis Murder, Baywatch, and Brothers and Sisters.
In addition to her acting career, Susan has also pursued her passion for jewelry design, creating a successful line of jewelry. She has been married twice, first to Todd Merer and then to media consultant Steve Jaffe, with whom she has worked on several projects. The couple resides in the Beverly Hills area.
