Editing Susan Dey

{{short description|American actress (b. 1952)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Susan Dey
| image = The Partridge Family Susan Dey 1970.jpg
| caption = Publicity photo for ''[[The Partridge Family]]'', 1970
| birth_name = Susan Hallock Dey
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|12|10|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Pekin, Illinois]], U.S.
| education  = [[Fox Lane High School]]
| known_for  = {{Plain list|
* ''[[The Partridge Family]]''
* ''[[L.A. Law]]''
* ''[[L.A. Law: The Movie]]''
}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|model|producer|author}}
| years_active = 1970–2004
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Lenny Hirshan|1976|1981|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Bernard Sofronski|1988}}
}}
| children = 1
}}

'''Susan Hallock Dey''' (born December 10, 1952)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Green |first1=Joseph |title=The Partridge Family Album |date=1994 |publisher=[[Harper Perennial]] |pages=10, 306 |isbn=9780060950750 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ve9mO5J8DHcC}}</ref> is an American retired actress, known for her television roles as [[The Partridge Family#Cast and characters|Laurie Partridge]] on the sitcom ''[[The Partridge Family]]'' from 1970 to 1974, and as [[L.A. Law#Cast and characters|Grace Van Owen]] on the drama series ''[[L.A. Law]]'' from 1986 to 1992. A three-time [[Emmy Award]] nominee and six-time [[Golden Globe Award]] nominee, she won the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama|Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series]] for ''L.A. Law'' in 1988.

==Early life and education==
Dey was born in [[Pekin, Illinois]], to Ruth Pyle (née Doremus) Dey, a nurse, and Robert Smith Dey.<ref name= RP-obit>{{cite news| work= The New York Times |title= Obituary | date =July 21, 1961}}</ref> Ruth died in 1961, when Susan was eight.<ref name= RP-obit />

Dey attended Columbus Elementary School in [[Thornwood, New York]]. She later moved to [[Mount Kisco, New York]], where she graduated from [[Fox Lane High School]] in 1970. <ref>{{cite news |last=Reynolds |first=William Joseph |date=September 4, 2010 |url=http://bedford.patch.com/articles/a-look-back-fox-lane-high-graduate-susan-dey/ |title=A Look Back: Fox Lane High Graduate Susan Dey |work=Bedford-Katonah Patch |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720160642/http://bedford.patch.com/articles/a-look-back-fox-lane-high-graduate-susan-dey/ |archive-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref>

==Career==
[[File:Partridge Family first cast 1970.JPG|thumb|left|''The Partridge Family'', season 1. L-R: [[Shirley Jones]], Jeremy Gelbwaks, [[Suzanne Crough]], Susan Dey, [[Danny Bonaduce]] and [[David Cassidy]]]]Dey began her professional life as a model. Her first modeling break was the cover photo of a booklet by Pursettes tampons on first facts of menstruation for young girls, "Getting to Know Yourself."{{Citation needed |date=February 2024}} 

She was cast as Laurie Partridge in the television series ''[[The Partridge Family]]'' from 1970 to 1974.<ref name="TVGuide">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/susan-dey/credits/175720/|title=Susan Dey| website=TV Guide|publisher=[[TV Guide]]|access-date=16 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Partridge Family (TV Show) 1970|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-partridge-family/100506/|publisher=[[TV Guide]]|website=TV Guide|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> She was 17 when she won the part with no previous acting experience. She briefly reprised that role for the [[Hanna-Barbera]] animated series, [[Partridge Family 2200 A.D.]] for two episodes, before being replaced by [[Sherry Alberoni]]. She returned to weekly network television in 1977 as the co-star of the short-lived sitcom ''[[Loves Me, Loves Me Not (TV series)|Loves Me, Loves Me Not]]''.<ref name="TVGuide" />

Dey's first film role was as a passenger in the 1972 airline hijack movie ''[[Skyjacked (film)|Skyjacked]]'', starring [[Charlton Heston]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Skyjacked (1972)|url=https://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/31483|author=Soares, Emily|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]] (TCM)|website=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref> 
In a 1977 made-for-television movie, ''[[Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night]]'', she portrayed a disturbed young mother with serious psychological problems who begins to take them out on her toddler daughter.<ref name="TVGuide" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (1977)|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/4706/mary-jane-happer-cried-last-night|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]] (TCM)|website=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=16 August 2018}}</ref> Also in 1977, Dey starred opposite [[William Katt]] in ''[[First Love (1977 film)|First Love]]'', directed by [[Joan Darling]]<ref name="TVGuide" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/11/05/archives/first-love-film-of-the-70s-misogynistic-on-ugly-affair.html|author=Maslin, Janet|website=[[The New York Times]]|title=''First Love'', Film of the 70's, Misogynistic on Ugly Affair|date=5 November 1977}}</ref> and appeared in the ''[[Barnaby Jones]]'' episode "Testament of Power" (1977).

Dey co-starred with [[Albert Finney]] in the 1981 science-fiction film ''[[Looker]]'', written and directed by [[Michael Crichton]].<ref name="TVGuide" /> She had a leading role in 1986's ''[[Echo Park (1986 film)|Echo Park]]'' as a struggling waitress-actress who takes a job as a [[stripper]] delivering [[singing telegrams]].<ref name="TVGuide" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/echo-park-1986|author=Ebert, Roger|title=Echo Park (1986)|website=RogerEbert.com|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|date=25 April 1986}}</ref> She starred on ''[[L.A. Law]]'' from 1986 through 1992 as Los Angeles County deputy district attorney Grace Van Owen, who later became a judge.<ref name="TVGuide" /> She won a [[Golden Globe Award]] as Actress in a Leading Role – Drama Series for the role in 1988.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama (1988)|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/1988/all#category-33|website=GoldenGlobes.com|publisher=[[Golden Globe Award]]s|access-date=16 August 2018|archive-date=March 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324130838/https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/1988/all#category-33|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was also nominated in each of the following four years. She was also nominated for the [[Emmy Award]] for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1987, 1988, and 1989.<ref>{{cite web|title=39th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners : OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES - 1987|url=https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1987/outstanding-lead-actress-in-a-drama-series|website=Emmys.com|publisher=[[Emmy Award]]s|access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref>
[[File:Susan Dey 1990 Annual Emmy Awards.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Dey at the 1990 [[Emmy Awards]]]]
She hosted a 1992 episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''. Later that year, she co-starred in the sitcom ''[[Love & War (TV series)|Love & War]]''.<ref name="TVGuide" /> Although the show ran until 1995, Dey was replaced in 1993 by [[Annie Potts]] because producers reportedly felt she had "no chemistry" with co-star [[Jay Thomas]].<ref>''[[The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present]]'' Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 705. 0-345-45542-8</ref> In 1993, Dey produced and starred in ''[[Lies and Lullabies|Lies & Lullabies]]'' (later released on DVD as ''[[Lies and Lullabies|Sad Inheritance]]''), where she played a pregnant cocaine addict.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/reviews/abc-sunday-night-movie-lies-and-lullabies-1200431766/|author=Scott, Tony|title=ABC Sunday Night Movie ''Lies and Lullabies''|website=Variety|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=11 March 1993}}</ref>

Dey was mentioned in [[Shirley Jones]]'s memoir as the only cast member who "consistently refused" to take part in ''Partridge Family'' reunions.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nguyen|first1=Vi-An|title=7 Surprising Secrets of the Partridge Family Cast from Shirley Jones's Memoir|url=http://parade.com/58537/viannguyen/7-surprising-secrets-of-the-partridge-family-cast-from-shirley-joness-memoir/|website=Parade.com|date=July 29, 2013|publisher=Parade Publications|access-date=April 29, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512172504/http://parade.com/58537/viannguyen/7-surprising-secrets-of-the-partridge-family-cast-from-shirley-joness-memoir/|archive-date=May 12, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 1972, Dey was credited as the author of a book titled ''Susan Dey's Secrets on Boys, Beauty and Popularity''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Susan Dey's secrets on boys, beauty, & popularity|first=Susan|last=Dey|date=May 10, 1972|publisher=Scholastic Book Service|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Personal life==

During the production of ''[[The Partridge Family]]'', Dey had romantic feelings for co-star [[David Cassidy]]. They eventually pursued a relationship when the show ended, but Cassidy broke it off as he did not share her feelings. In 1994, Cassidy disclosed details of his relationship with Dey in his autobiography ''C'mon, Get Happy ... Fear and Loathing on the Partridge Family Bus;'' he presumed this led to her severing contact with him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/4633763/david-cassidy-and-susan-dey-inside-an-unrequited-love-on-the-partridge-family-bus/|title=DAVID CASSIDY AND SUSAN DEY: INSIDE AN UNREQUITED LOVE ON 'THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY' BUS|year=2017|publisher=Inquisitr|access-date=November 21, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121042654/https://www.inquisitr.com/4633763/david-cassidy-and-susan-dey-inside-an-unrequited-love-on-the-partridge-family-bus/|archive-date=November 21, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Dey was married to Leonard "Lenny" Hirshan from 1976 to 1981.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/49723%7C0/Susan-Dey#family-companions | title=Susan Dey }}</ref> They have one daughter. Dey has been married to television producer Bernard Sofronski since 1988.<ref>Associated Press (February 23, 1988). "Susan Dey ties knot with movie executive". ''St. Joseph Gazette''. p. 8A.</ref>

She serves as a board member of the Rape Treatment Center at [[UCLA Medical Center]], and co-narrated a documentary on campus rape with former ''L.A. Law'' co-star [[Corbin Bernsen]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Campus Rape|year=1990|publisher=Rape Treatment Center, Santa Monica Hospital Medical Center|df=mdy-all|oclc = 21500123}}</ref> She suffered from [[anorexia]] during the run of ''The Partridge Family''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/10/05/susan-dey-light-years-from-the-child-star/bd4a2fa1-caaf-4a13-895d-ab99a831e0a4/|title=SUSAN DEY, LIGHT-YEARS FROM THE CHILD STAR|last=Mathews|first=Jay|date=October 5, 1989|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=January 2, 2020}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes
|-
| 1972
|  ''[[The Candidate (1972 film)|The Candidate]]''
|  Girl in Crowd
|
|-
| 1972
| ''[[Skyjacked (film)|Skyjacked]]''
| Elly Brewster
|
|-
| 1977
| ''[[First Love (1977 film)|First Love]]''
| Caroline
|
|-
| 1981
| ''[[Looker]]''
| Cindy Fairmont
|
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Echo Park (1986 film)|Echo Park]]''
| May
|
|-
| 1987
| ''The Trouble with Dick''
| Diane
|
|-
| 1998
| ''Avenged''
| Margo
|
|-
| 2003
| ''Rain''
| Dianna Davis
|
|-
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes
|-
| 1970–74
| ''[[The Partridge Family]]''
| Laurie Partridge
| 96 episodes<br />Nominated—[[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
|-
| 1973
| ''[[Ghost Story (TV series)|Circle of Fear]]''
| Peggy
| Episode: "Doorway to Death"
|-
| 1973
| ''[[Goober and the Ghost Chasers]]''
| Laurie Partridge (voice)
| 8 episodes
|-
| 1973
| ''Terror on the Beach''
| DeeDee Glynn
| Television film
|-
| 1974
| ''[[Partridge Family 2200 A.D.]]''
| Laurie Partridge (voice)
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1975
| ''[[The Rookies]]''
| Angel
| Episode: "Angel"
|-
| 1975
| ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]''
| Susan Bradshaw
| Episode: "Target? the Lady"
|-
| 1975
| ''[[S.W.A.T. (1975 TV series)|S.W.A.T.]]''
| Janice
| 2 episodes
|-
| 1975
| ''[[Cage Without a Key]]''
| Valerie Smith
| Television film
|-
| 1976
| ''[[The Quest (1976 TV series)|The Quest]]''
| Charlotte Rosee
| Episode: "The Captive"
|-
| 1976
| ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]''
| Barbara Ross
| Episode: "The Thrill Killers" (filmed as a two-hour episode; aired in two parts)
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night]]''
| Rowena Harper
| Television film
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Loves Me, Loves Me Not (TV series)|Loves Me, Loves Me Not]]''
| Jane Benson
| 6 episodes
|-
| 1977
| ''[[Barnaby Jones]]''
| Linda Jason 
| Episode: "Testament of Power"
|-
| 1978
| ''[[Little Women (1978 miniseries)|Little Women]]''
| Jo March
| Television miniseries
|-
| 1980
| ''[[The Comeback Kid (film)|The Comeback Kid]]''
| Megan Barrett
| Television film
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Sunset Limousine]]''
| Julie Preston
| Television film
|-
| 1983–84
| ''[[Emerald Point N.A.S.]]''
| Celia Mallory
| 22 episodes
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Malibu (film)|Malibu]]''
| Linda Harvey
| Television film
|-
| 1984
| ''Love Leads the Way''
| Beth
| Television film
|-
| 1986–92
| ''[[L.A. Law]]''
| Grace Van Owen
| 110 episodes<br />[[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama]]<br />Nominated—[[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama]] <small>(1989–92)</small><br />Nominated—[[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series]] <small>(1987–89)</small><br />Nominated—[[Viewers for Quality Television|Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series]]
|-
| 1992–93
| ''[[Love & War (TV series)|Love & War]]''
| Wallis "Wally" Porter
| 23 episodes
|-
| 1992
| ''Bed of Lies''
| Vicky Daniel
| Television film
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Lies and Lullabies]]'' 
| Christina Kinsey
| Television film (aka Sad Inheritance)
|-
| 1994
| ''Beyond Betrayal''
| Joanna/Emily Doyle
| Television film
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Deadly Love]]''
| Rebecca Barnes
| Television film
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Blue River (film)|Blue River]]''
| Mrs. Sellers
| Television film
|-
| 1997
| ''Bridge of Time''
| Madeleine Armstrong
| Television film
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Family Law (American TV series)|Family Law]]''
| Karen Hershey
| Episode: "Holt vs. Holt"
|-
| 2002
| ''[[L.A. Law: The Movie]]''
| Grace Van Owen
| Television film
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Disappearance (2002 film)|Disappearance]]''
| Patty Henley
| Television film
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Third Watch]]''
| Dr. Breene
| 2 episodes
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book|last=Terrace |first=Vincent |title=Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials: 1974–1984|year=1985 |publisher=New York Zoetrope|location=New York|isbn=978-0-918432-61-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AKlgjBCPPnsC|access-date=October 14, 2011}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|0001138}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes-person|susan_dey}}

{{The Partridge Family}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actress TV Drama|state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dey, Susan}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Actresses from Illinois]]
[[Category:Actresses from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American child actresses]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Best Drama Actress Golden Globe (television) winners]]
[[Category:Female models from Illinois]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Bedford, New York]]
[[Category:People from Pekin, Illinois]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Writers from Illinois]]