Suzanne Pleshette’s path to stardom started in Brooklyn, New York, where she was born on January 31, 1937. Acting and entertainment were in her blood. Her mother, Geraldine, performed as a dancer under the stage name Geraldine Rivers, and her father, Eugene, worked as a stage manager at the Paramount Theater before becoming a network executive. Growing up with show business at home, Suzanne was drawn to the stage early. She attended Manhattan’s High School of Performing Arts, spent time at Syracuse University, transferred to Finch College, and then studied under acting legend Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse.
Broadway And Early Acting Roles
Suzanne made her Broadway debut in 1957 in Meyer Levin’s “Compulsion.” Not long after, she broke into television with an episode of “Harbourmaster.” Her first film appearance came in 1958’s “The Geisha Boy.” The late fifties and early sixties brought a steady flow of guest roles on iconic shows like “Have Gun-Will Travel,” “Adventures in Paradise,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” and “Route 66.”
It wasn’t long before Hollywood noticed her presence. She starred in the cult classic “The Birds” in 1963, playing Annie Hayworth, a performance that still stands as one of her most recognized film roles. That same era saw her in films like “Rome Adventure,” “40 Pounds of Trouble,” “A Distant Trumpet,” “Nevada Smith,” and “If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium.”
Her Iconic TV Career
Suzanne’s TV credits were just as impressive. The role that made her a household name was Emily Hartley on “The Bob Newhart Show,” where she starred from 1972 to 1978. Playing Bob’s witty and sharp wife, Suzanne earned two Primetime Emmy nominations. Her on-screen chemistry with Bob Newhart remains one of TV’s classic pairings.
After “The Bob Newhart Show,” Suzanne stayed active on television. She led “Suzanne Pleshette Is Maggie Briggs,” played in “Bridges to Cross,” starred as Christine Broderick on “Nightingales,” and made an unforgettable guest appearance in the final episode of “Newhart,” shocking fans with one of TV’s most clever finales.
In the nineties and early 2000s, Suzanne returned to the sitcom world. She had a recurring role as Sarah Eliot on “The Single Guy” and later as Lois Whitley on “Will and Grace.” She also starred as Claire Arnold on “Good Morning, Miami” and popped up on “8 Simple Rules,” proving she could still charm audiences of all ages.
Film Roles And Voice Work
Her career wasn’t limited to TV. Suzanne appeared in memorable films like “Support Your Local Gunfighter,” “The Shaggy D.A.,” and “Oh, God! Book II.” Her voice acting brought her to a new generation when she voiced Zira in “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” and the twin witches Yubaba and Zeniba in the English version of the Oscar-winning “Spirited Away.”
Awards And Recognition
Throughout her career, Suzanne collected many accolades. She earned four Primetime Emmy nominations, two Golden Globe nods, a Photoplay Award, a Laurel Award, and an Annie Award nomination for her voice work in “The Lion King II.” Her impact on television was sealed when she received a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008, celebrated by her co-stars and friends.
Personal Life And Family
Suzanne’s personal life was filled with love and resilience. She married actor Troy Donahue in 1964 after co-starring in “Rome Adventure” and “A Distant Trumpet,” but the marriage lasted just six months. In 1968, she married oilman Thomas Joseph Gallagher III, staying with him until his passing in 2000. She suffered a miscarriage during this marriage and openly spoke about the family she didn’t have but found fulfillment nurturing those around her on every set.
In 2001, she married actor Tom Poston. Their romance actually began in the late fifties when they co-starred in “Golden Fleecing” on Broadway. They reunited decades later and stayed married until Poston’s death in 2007.
Health Battles And Final Years
In 2006, Suzanne faced lung cancer, which was found during a routine checkup. She underwent surgery to remove part of a lung and faced complications, including pneumonia. She made her final public appearance at “The Bob Newhart Show” reunion in 2007, arriving in a wheelchair but still smiling and as gracious as ever.
Suzanne passed away on January 19, 2008, at her Los Angeles home at age 70. She was buried next to her husband Tom Poston at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery. Her Walk of Fame star was unveiled just days later, forever marking her place in Hollywood history.
Suzanne Pleshette’s Net Worth And Legacy
At the time of her passing, Suzanne Pleshette’s net worth was estimated at $5 million, a testament to her steady, decades-long career. She and Poston owned real estate too, selling their West Los Angeles condo for $1.7 million in 2005.
While the dollars tell part of the story, Suzanne’s true wealth lies in her body of work and the memories she gave millions. From Broadway lights to TV’s living rooms, she entertained audiences with warmth, wit, and charm that still holds up today. Her legacy lives on through the shows we still watch and the roles that made her a star who felt like family.