Susan Blakely: Successful Actresses Nominated for Golden Globe and Emmy Awards, Why Did She Leave Behind Regrets?

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).

1976 ABC miniseries Rich, Poor stills
1976 ABC miniseries Rich, Poor Stills

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

Susan Blakely's father, a colonel in the army
Susan Blakely’s father, a colonel in the army

Image source: Instagram

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.

Susan Blakely's photo on the magazine cover
Susan Blakely’s photo on the magazine cover

Image source: Instagram

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.

Susan Blakely plays Patty in The Towering Inferno
Susan Blakely plays Patty in The Towering Inferno

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.

After her award-winning performance in The Towering Inferno, Susan Blakely began receiving leading roles in many other films throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Many consider this period as the golden era of her career.

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.

Susan Blakely's sweet photo with her current husband Steve Jaffe posted on Instagram
Susan Blakely’s sweet photo with her current husband, Steve Jaffe, posted on Instagram

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.


Featured image source: FoxNews

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