Advertisement
Advertisement

Susan Oliver Biographies

33 people with the first name Susan and the last name Oliver are below. Try the Oliver Family page if you can't find a particular Collaborative Biography in your family tree.

Oliver
Last name
41.3k+ people

33 Susan Oliver Biographies

Susan Oliver
Susan Oliver Biography Born February 13, 1932 in New York City, New York, USA Died May 10, 1990 in Woodland Hills, California, USA (lung cancer) Birth Name Charlotte Gercke Height 5' 5" (1.65 m) Mini Bio (1) A fascinating aura of mystery seemed to surround the characters portrayed by blue-eyed blonde actress Susan Oliver, whose trademark high cheekbones, rosebud lips and heart-shaped face kept audiences intrigued for nearly three decades. She left a fine legacy of work in theater, motion pictures and television. Born Charlotte Gercke on February 13, 1932 (some sources incorrectly list years as early as 1929 or late as 1937), in New York City, she was the daughter of well-to-do George Gercke, a political reporter and journalist for the New York World, and his astrology practitioner wife, Ruth Oliver (aka Ruth Hale Oliver), both of whom divorced while Susan was still quite young (age 3). As a privileged adolescent, she went to various public and boarding schools. As a teenager, she lived with her father and traveled with him overseas to Japan, where he maintained a news post. While there (1948-49), she studied at the Tokyo International College and developed an interest in Japan's deep obsession with the American popular culture. Much later in her career (1977), in fact, Susan would write and direct Cowboysan (1978), a short film which told of Japanese actors performing in an American western. In the spring of 1949, Susan briefly rejoined her mother, who was now remarried, residing in Los Angeles, and gaining a solid reputation as Hollywood's astrologer to the stars. However, by that fall, Susan was back East, studying drama at Pennsylvania's Swarthmore College (for four years). She then continued her training at New York City's Neighborhood Playhouse, while finding stage work in both summer stock and regional theaters. Commercials and daytime/prime-time television work started coming Susan's way and, by that time, she had already changed her stage moniker to the more flowing name of Susan Oliver. The year 1957 began with a debut ingénue role as a Revolutionary War-era daughter in the Broadway comedy "Small War on Murray Hill", which opened and closed at the Ethel Barrymore Theater after only nine days. A far more potent and substantial role fell her way in October of that same year, when she replaced British actress Mary Ure as Allison Porter in the superior kitchen sink drama "Look Back in Anger". Susan continued to find extensive dramatic work in live East coast television plays, with roles on The Kaiser Aluminum Hour (1956), The United States Steel Hour (1953), Studio 57 (1954) and Matinee Theatre (1955). At this juncture, she decided to migrate back to Los Angeles for more on-camera opportunities and attained guest roles on such popular prime-time series as Wagon Train (1957), Father Knows Best (1954), The Millionaire (1955) and The Lineup (1954). Susan made her cinematic debut as the tough yet doomed title role in Warner Bros.' low-budget melodrama The Green-Eyed Blonde (1957). The film was shot in black and white, so it didn't matter that Susan's eyes were blue. Topbilled, she played the rebellious delinquent leader at a girls' reformatory and lent class to the rather exploitative material, which was written by blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo. Two years later, Susan returned to the big screen as another tough cookie in the better-received biopic The Gene Krupa Story (1959), as a jazz singer who lures the renowned drummer (played by Sal Mineo) down the road to drugs and near ruin. A brief return to the Broadway stage, with the comedy "Patate" starring Tom Ewell and Lee Bowman, would last only four days but Susan earned great notices and won New York's Theatre World Award World for her outstanding breakout performance. On early 1960s television, Susan continued to offer a number of striking and often showy, neurotic performances on episodes of Bonanza (1959), Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958), 77 Sunset Strip (1958), Wagon Train (1957), The Virginian (1962), Adventures in Paradise (1959), Route 66 (1960), Dr. Kildare (1961) and The Fugitive (1963). Filmwise, she found a few lead and support roles in the Elizabeth Taylor-starred BUtterfield 8 (1960); as a psychiatric nurse in the all-star hospital melodrama The Caretakers (1963); in the tailored-for-the-teens romp, Looking for Love (1964), as a friend to Connie Francis; and in the hilarious Jerry Lewis slapstick vehicle The Disorderly Orderly (1964), in which she added rather heavy drama as a depressed hospital patient. During this time, her most challenging role was as the ambitious wife of doomed country music legend Hank Williams (George Hamilton, in offbeat casting) in Your Cheatin' Heart (1964). Susan's name remained active particularly on television, where she graced such series as The Andy Griffith Show (1960), The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters (1963), Burke's Law (1963), Dr. Kildare (1961), Ben Casey (1961), Gomer Pyle: USMC (1964), My Three Sons (1960), The Invaders (1967) and Mannix (1967). Classic television showcases includes the episode, The Twilight Zone: People Are Alike All Over (1960), in which she plays the beautiful martian Teenya, who encounters astronaut Roddy McDowall, and the unsold pilot episode Star Trek: The Original Series: The Cage (1986), as Vina, the sole survivor of a crashed spaceship who charms Captain Christopher Pike (Jeffrey Hunter, the captain subsequently replaced by William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk, when the show became a series). Footage from that pilot was later incorporated into the two-part episode "The Menagerie". In 1966, Susan made bittersweet news, when her regular role as Ann Howard in the prime-time soap opera Peyton Place (1964), was pushed off a cliff to her death. Written out after only five months of a year-long planned role, audiences (as well as Susan) were saddened by the loss of a character they had grown to care about. Subsequently, Susan starred in her own pilot for a new series, "Apartment in Rome", but that didn't sell. Unfortunately, Susan's late 1960s work in a variety of film genres and opposite a number of formidable leading men were ultimately too few and did not help to advance her career. These included the LSD-induced drama The Love-Ins (1967) with Richard Todd and James MacArthur; the western A Man Called Gannon (1968) starring Anthony Franciosa; and the sci-fiers Change of Mind (1969) with Raymond St. Jacques and The Monitors (1969) with Guy Stockwell. The 1970s also hardly fared better with standard roles in Ginger in the Morning (1974) (donning a black wig), the Spanish-made drama Nido de viudas (1977), and Hardly Working (1980), in which she reunited with Jerry Lewis in what was supposed to be his comeback attempt. That film was ultimately shelved, before earning scant release a couple of years later. Susan appeared as a regular for one season (1975-76) on Days of Our Lives (1965) and received a "Supporting Actress" Emmy nomination for the made-for-TV movie Amelia Earhart (1976), playing aviatrix Neta "Snookie" Snook, friend and mentor to the title character, played by Emmy-nominated Susan Clark. The role of "Snookie" was tailor-made for Susan, who, by this time, had merited attention as a licensed commercial pilot. Susan's passion for flying had been compromised a decade earlier after a dramatic 1966 commercial plane scare. The near-death experience kept the actress on solid ground for well over a year, before she managed to overcome her paralyzing fear. In 1970, fully recovered, she co-piloted a single-engine Piper Comanche to victory in the Powder Puff Derby racing event, a victory that earned her the name, "Pilot of the Year". [Amelia Mary Earhart was the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean]. However, in her attempt to fly to Moscow, the Soviet government denied her entrance to their air space and she was forced to end her journey in Denmark. Susan would later write about her flying exploits in her autobiography "Odyssey: A Daring Transatlantic Journey" (1983). Susan's last years were focused on the small screen, with roles in the made-for-TV movies Tomorrow's Child (1982) and International Airport (1985), and standard guest-starring on The Love Boat (1977), Murder, She Wrote (1984), Simon & Simon (1981) and Freddy's Nightmares (1988). She also moved behind the camera a few times, directing episodes of M*A*S*H (1972) and Trapper John, M.D. (1979). A longtime smoker, the never-married Susan was diagnosed with lung cancer and died with quiet dignity at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California at age 58 -- an untimely death for such a beautiful lady and strong talent. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / [contact link] Trade Mark (4)Susan Oliver (born Charlotte Gercke, February 13, 1932 – May 10, 1990) was an American actress, television director, and aviator.
Susan Earl Oliver was born on December 7, 1945 at Knoxville Tennessee to Roy Earl Oliver and Mary Ruth Chesney, and has siblings Steve Ray Oliver and Leigh Lorine Oliver. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Susan Earl Oliver.
Susan A Oliver of Hillsboro, Jefferson County, MO was born on April 5, 1951, and died at age 59 years old on August 16, 2010. Susan Oliver was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Section TT Site 561 2900 Sheridan Road, in St. Louis.
Susan Oliver of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, FL was born on February 13, 1895 in Kings County, NY, and died at age 81 years old in March 1976.
Susan E Oliver was born on June 16, 1940, and died at age 63 years old on March 27, 2004. Susan Oliver was buried at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery Section 3C2 Row 17 Site 5 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, in Crownsville, Md. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Susan E Oliver.
Susan C Oliver was born on June 28, 1900, and died at age 88 years old in November 1988.
Susan Oliver was born on March 1, 1953, and died at age 21 years old in May 1974. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Susan Oliver.
Susan R Oliver of Englewood, Arapahoe County, CO was born on June 3, 1936, and died at age 66 years old on December 17, 2002.
Susan Jay Oliver of California was born on May 28, 1925, and died at age 82 years old on June 13, 2007.
Susan Oliver was born on January 22, 1946, and died at age 27 years old in April 1973. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Susan Oliver.
Susan C Oliver of California was born on April 12, 1949, and died at age 59 years old on June 3, 2008.
Susan Oliver of California was born on October 19, 1886, and died at age 87 years old in February 1974.
Susan N Oliver of Portland, Multnomah County, OR was born on November 26, 1944, and died at age 58 years old on May 26, 2003.
Susan E Oliver of Jefferson City, Cole County, MO was born on February 9, 1906, and died at age 84 years old on November 15, 1990.
Susan J Oliver was born on April 7, 1958, and died at age 48 years old on July 16, 2006. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Susan J Oliver.
Susan Jane Oliver of Dallas, Dallas County, Texas was born on November 16, 1942, and died at age 65 years old on February 3, 2008.
Susan Oliver of Searcy, White County, Arkansas was born on January 18, 1918, and died at age 66 years old in May 1984.
Susan Oliver of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois was born on November 30, 1902, and died at age 80 years old in June 1983.
Susan Oliver of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida was born on February 10, 1881, and died at age 88 years old in January 1970.
Susan E Oliver of Fayetteville, Fayette County, GA was born on April 24, 1961, and died at age 28 years old on January 10, 1990.
Susan Oliver of Summerton, Clarendon County, South Carolina was born on August 1, 1890, and died at age 83 years old in January 1974.
Susan C Oliver of South Bend, St Joseph County, IN was born on March 6, 1896, and died at age 74 years old on April 15, 1970.
Susan L Oliver was born on January 26, 1951, and died at age 53 years old on March 20, 2004. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Susan L Oliver.
Susan A Oliver was born on October 11, 1950, and died at age 52 years old on November 6, 2002. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Susan A Oliver.
Susan P Oliver of Morrisville, Bucks County, PA was born on December 11, 1948, and died at age 60 years old on January 2, 2009.
Susan S Oliver of Topsham, Sagadahoc County, ME was born on June 14, 1915, and died at age 90 years old on October 24, 2005.
Susan Oliver of Pittston, Luzerne County, PA was born on September 13, 1913, and died at age 91 years old on January 22, 2005.
Susan Oliver of Rochester, Monroe County, NY was born on September 18, 1889, and died at age 76 years old in February 1966.
Susan B Oliver of Burlington, Alamance County, NC was born on April 26, 1947, and died at age 59 years old on July 15, 2006.
Can't find the Susan Oliver you're looking for? Begin a biography about Susan to share memories and connect with others who remember them.
Scrollto view more pages of people
named Susan Oliver:
Advertisement
Explore what's going on in the
AncientFaces Community

Similar Oliver names

Oliver biographies alphabetically beginning with Spirito and ending with Teddy Oliver.

Sussie Oliver (Jan 19, 1907 - Sep 15, 1995) Susy Oliver (May 31, 1895 - Feb 1987) Suzanne Oliver Suzelle Oliver (Sep 27, 1947 - Jun 17, 2010) Suzette Oliver Suzianne Oliver (Dec 13, 1930 - Oct 3, 2002) Suzie Oliver (Oct 27, 1903 - Sep 18, 1994) Sybil Oliver Syble Oliver (Sep 23, 1928 - Aug 28, 2010) Syd Oliver (Jun 23, 1906 - Feb 1983) Sydney Oliver Sylvester Oliver Sylvestine Oliver (Nov 26, 1958 - May 21, 2009) Sylvia Oliver Symmes Oliver Syvilla Oliver (Apr 16, 1909 - Feb 1992) T Oliver Tabatha Oliver (May 9, 1969 - Aug 10, 2010) Tabbie Oliver (Jul 30, 1891 - Jan 15, 1971) Tabitha Oliver (Mar 22, 1984 - Apr 21, 2011) Tad Oliver (Sep 12, 1894 - Feb 1974) Taimie Oliver (Aug 5, 1912 - Apr 18, 2008) Talitha Oliver (Apr 20, 1897 - Mar 1978) Tally Oliver (Dec 12, 1923 - Jul 1, 2002) Talmadge Oliver Talton Oliver (Feb 15, 1896 - May 1968) Tamara Oliver (Mar 29, 1971 - May 29, 2003) Tamer Oliver (Dec 17, 1973 - Mar 1991) Tami Oliver (Aug 14, 1959 - Nov 4, 1999) Tammie Oliver (Mar 1, 1959 - Jul 8, 1999) Tammy Oliver Tangerra Oliver (Oct 19, 1962 - Dec 31, 2003) Taniya Oliver (Feb 24, 2003 - Jan 3, 2004) Tanya Oliver (Nov 6, 1967 - Jan 3, 1996) Taquadra Oliver (Oct 19, 1980 - Jun 1983) Tari Oliver (Mar 29, 1956 - Jul 10, 2010) Taron Oliver (Aug 26, 1976 - Mar 17, 2000) Tasha Oliver (Born c. 1984) Tass Oliver (Jan 1, 1892 - Oct 1976) Tavion oliver (Born Dec 26, 2007) Taylor Oliver Tayonna Oliver (Jan 10, 1971 - Apr 25, 1993) Te Ethel Oliver (Dec 7, 1937 - Jan 13, 2006) Teaner Oliver (Aug 9, 1900 - May 1985) Ted Oliver Teda Oliver (May 6, 1903 - Apr 1985) Tedd Oliver (Aug 7, 1887 - Jan 1963) Teddy Oliver
More people with the last name Oliver
Back to Top