Susan Blakely is an accomplished American actress. She isn’t as famous now as she was in the 70s and 80s, but she still appears in guest roles on television shows and independent films. Her most recent project was the 2022 film Emily or Oscar, where she played Beverly Hardin.
This article covers everything you need to know about Susan Blakey, including her career, personal life, and net worth.
Who Is Susan Blakely?
Susan Blakely is an American actress and former model. She’s best known for her roles in Rich Man, Poor Man (1976), My Mom’s a Werewolf (1989), and The Perfect Nanny (2001).
Image source: IMDb
She also appeared as a guest star in several TV series, including Chicken Soup For the Soul (2000), Baywatch (2001), Side Order of Life (2007), and Project: Phoenix (2012 to 2014). Her most recent on-screen role was in the 2022 film “Emily or Oscar,” where she portrayed Beverly Hardin.
Early Life and Career
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Susan Blakely was born on September 7, 1948, in Frankfurt, Germany. Her father, Larry Blakely, was an Army colonel, while her mother, Weezie, was a former art teacher and golfer. Susan lived a fairly normal life. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso, then moved to New York to further her acting career. She signed a modeling contract with Ford Modeling Agency in 1967 and starred in commercials and magazines for several years, which likely contributed to her success as a newbie actress at the time.
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Susan’s acting career began in the early 70s, appearing as a supporting cast member in films like The Way We Were, Savages, and The Lords of Flatbush. Her first major role was in the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno, for which she received wide critical acclaim.
Image source: IMDb
She then landed a leading role in the 1976 ABC miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man, winning a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her performance. But when ‘Rich, Poor – Volume 2’ was published, Blackley decided to give up. The sequel did not have her from 1976 to 1977.
In an interview with Closer Weekly, Blackley recently admitted, ‘That was the stupid thing I ever did!’. She explained, “At that time, Universal Pictures and ABC heads kept saying, ‘Susie, blank check. What do you want?’ I said, ‘No, it’s not about money. I want to do something else.’ But when you achieve such success, you shouldn’t give up on it. It’s just your ignorance when you were young.
Personal Life
Susan Blakely lives a relatively private life, especially now that she’s in her mid-70s. She married lawyer Todd Merer in 1969 and later divorced in 1981. A year later, she married filmmaker and public relations consultant Steve Jaffe. They’re still happily married and currently reside in their mansion in Beverly Hills, California. Susan doesn’t have any children and if she does, it’s not public knowledge.
Image source: Instagram
Net Worth
Susan Blakely has amassed a sizable net worth from her career as an actress. As of 2024, her net worth is believed to be around $8 million.
Final Thoughts
As an actress in her 70s, Susan Blakely rarely takes on major roles and only occasionally appears as a guest star in TV shows and movies. However, her iconic status from the 70s and 80s remains undeniable. She was once a household name, gracing the covers of magazines and starring in blockbuster films. Her beauty and talent made her a sought-after actress, and her performances in films like The Towering Inferno and Rich Man, Poor Man, cemented her place in cinematic history.
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