SUZANNE PLESHETTE (1937-2007)
Suzanne's best-known television role as "Emily Hartley" on "The Bob Newhart Show" (1972-78). With one of the most identifiable deep, sexy voices and good looks she played the rational adult to Newhart's often bewildered character as a psychologist. She earned 2 Emmy Nominations on the series, for a career total of 8.
Broadway roles included: "The Cold Wind and the Warm" with Maureen Stapleton and Eli Wallach, and replacing Anne Bancroft in "The Miracle Worker" as Anne Sullivan. She was featured in Hitchcock's 1963 epic, "The Birds" with Tippi Hedren and co-starred with Steve McQueen (who "adopted" her as his sister in real life) in 1965's "Nevada Smith". She once told The Toronto Star newspaper in 1989, "When I started in movies they said I'd be this big star, but I was only a moderate one. Not enough good pictures. It's important to be in a good piece of work no matter the size of one's own part", she said. Movie roles opposite James Garner in "Support Your Local Gunfighter" and in Disney films revealed her comedic genius and sass. This led to guest appearances on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" and as a Guest on "Hollywood Squares". A versatile actress who worked steadily, she took on the 1990 television movie role of real estate businesswoman Leona Helmsley in "The Queen of Mean". From 1999-2001 her voiceover work for Disney and other films was interspersed with the guest role of a barkeeper's mother on the TV series "Will & Grace" from 1998-2006 and from 2002-2005 as Katey Sagal's mother Laura on "8 Simple Rules". She was scheduled to receive her "Star" on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" on what would have been her 71st birthday on Thursday, January 31st.
TV: With Hal Linden on 1994's "The Boys are Back"
"Good Morning, Miami" 2002-2004
Four decades after appearing together on Broadway and briefly dating, Suzanne married comedian Tom Poston in 2000. Sadly, Tom passed away last year.
With friend and Co-Star Bob Newhart
___
A wonderful career and a Classy Lady.
posted by Michael Manning @ 12:01 AM
18 comments
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18 Comments:
She will be missed.
Rest in peace, Suzanne.
Diane: Came as quite a surprise. Bob Newhart lovingly said that while he and others knew she was ill, they couldn't imagine she would do anything but bounce back.
Hopelessly behind in blogland as usual. Yeah i thought this lady was terrific. Total good vibes. Very pretty at every stage of her life. You've done a splendid job as usual. I hope you'll be around to memorialize me.
"Wonderful career and a classy lady" says it all. I was a big fan.
And I'm with bud - another splendid job and where so I sign up for you to write my memorial.
She was soooo good in The Ugly Daschound (I hope that's how you spell it). Truly a fine actress that will be greatly missed.
I thought she was quite the funny lady. Full of sass. :)
I really liked her with Bob Newhart! She was so beautiful too.
Suzanne is one of my all time faves. A gorgeous classy woman. RIP dear lady.
I was completely unaware of this over here in Britain. Thanks for that fitting memorial to Suzanne.
I loved her humor.
Way too young,
so many of the old stars passing on..
Bud: As young as you are and with the demands of your new CD release, I think the worse problem I'll have to deal with is getting into one of your sold out shows! Suzanne was always fun to watch.
Dianne: Oh, no! I'm really not much of an Obit writer. Suzanne's work was so wonderful.
p m: And her one of a kind voice!
Jesscia: The sass really led to the comment she made that "Every job I ever got came from walking out of an office".
Carolyn: Bob is really a Class Act himself and you could tell they really loved working together and remaining close friends!
Patti: I smile as I recall Suzanne's commentary on a film we'll see in May. She said that working in the biz with Steve McQueen, he felt she needed "a brother to protect her". And Suzanne said that somewhere along the way Steve forgot that she was a working actor like he was! When it came to doing romantic scenes together, they would have al lot of difficulty and after "Cut!" they'd both say "Eww!". Two years ago, she said when she looked back at the film "Nevada Smith" she said, "My God, what was I thinking? He was gorgeous"! Funny story. Nice lady.
jean-luc-picard: Smoking and lung cancer is a terrible. It afflicts even the most talented beautiful people.
Green Tea: It says something about a Suzanne good character that Bob Newhart and actress Marcia Wallace from the "Bob Newhart Show" remained very close. She seemed to me a tenacious actress who knew that bigger parts were given to others, and yet she made every role or appearance endearing for all of us!
She was an amazing actress.
Katie: She really was an unforgettable actress with that sexy voice. Frat houses would watch re-runs of "The Bob Newhart Show" and have to chug a beer whenever she said "Bob"!
I didn't know about the star that was scheduled for the 31st. How sad. I loved her voice!
fleur de lisa: I always admired Suzanne too. She brought a wonderful energy to every role!
I always liked her and she will be missed!
Heather: It's very sad and I agree with you!
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