Suzanne Pleshette

Date of Birth: January 31, 1937

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: January 19, 2008

Biography

Suzanne Pleshette was a celebrated American actress, known for her distinctive husky voice and versatile acting talent. Born on January 31, 1937, in Brooklyn Heights, New York, she was the daughter of Geraldine and Eugene Pleshette. Her father was a stage manager and her mother was a dancer, which naturally led Suzanne to the world of performing arts. She graduated from the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan and attended Syracuse University before transferring to Finch College. She also studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre under the tutelage of Sanford Meisner. Pleshette made her Broadway debut in the 1957 production of “Compulsion.” She transitioned to film and television in the early 1960s, gaining attention with her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller “The Birds” (1963). However, she is perhaps best known for her role as Emily Hartley on the popular sitcom “The Bob Newhart Show,” which aired from 1972 to 1978. Her performance earned her several Emmy Award nominations. Throughout her career, Suzanne Pleshette appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions, showcasing her range and depth as an actress. She continued to act until the early 2000s, balancing her career with a fulfilling personal life. She was married three times, first to actor Troy Donahue, then to oilman Tommy Gallagher, and finally to actor Tom Poston, with whom she remained until his death in 2007. Suzanne Pleshette passed away on January 19, 2008, due to respiratory failure, just 12 days before her 71st birthday. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances and is remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.

5 Interesting Facts about Suzanne Pleshette

1. Suzanne Pleshette was originally considered for the role of Catwoman in the 1960s “Batman” television series.

2. She voiced the character Yubaba in the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film “Spirited Away” (2001).

3. Pleshette was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on her birthday, January 31, 2008.

4. She was a close friend of “The Bob Newhart Show” co-star Bob Newhart and remained in touch with him long after the show ended.

5. Suzanne Pleshette studied under legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Suzanne Pleshette

1. “I don’t sit around and wait for great parts. I’m an actress, and I love being one, and I’ll probably be doing it until I’m 72, standing around the back lot doing Gunsmoke.”

2. “Telephone operators have called me ‘sir’ since I was 6.”

3. “I would love to be a leading lady. But I think my voice is a bit deep, and I’ve always played the second banana.”

4. “I’m an actress, and that’s why I can do anything I want to on a stage or in front of a camera.”

5. “I love to work. I love to act.”