Susan Dey remains a cherished name in American television history for her memorable role as Laurie Partridge on the beloved 1970s TV series, The Partridge Family. This show, which aired from 1970 until 1974, proved to be a launching pad for several young actors, particularly the heartthrob David Cassidy, who played Laurie’s brother, Keith Partridge, in this lively ABC sitcom.
In the whimsical world of The Partridge Family, Susan Dey and David Cassidy portrayed siblings that joined forces with their TV mother, Shirley Jones, along with three more siblings, to create a band traveling the country in their groovy, iconic tour bus. This series quickly won the affections of millions, becoming a television sensation in the process.
As the series flourished, so too did David Cassidy’s status as a teenage heartthrob, drawing admiration from countless fans, including his co-star Susan Dey, who harbored a significant crush on him. Despite her profound feelings, David only perceived Susan as a close friend and sibling figure, candidly sharing the ups and downs of his romantic escapades with her.
Unbeknownst to David, Susan found these heart-to-heart conversations difficult, as her feelings for him were much deeper. It was eventually their on-screen mother, Shirley Jones, who informed David about Susan’s unspoken love, completely surprising him. Although David had never been romantically inclined toward Susan, he decided to give their relationship a try. This attempt at romance, however, was short-lived as David soon realized he could not fully reciprocate the depth of Susan’s affections, resulting in a brief dalliance that left him feeling guilt-ridden.
For a time, the two maintained a friendship, but this was strained after David penned his memoir, “C’mon, Get Happy… Fear and Loathing on the Partridge Family Bus,” where he disclosed aspects of their short-lived romance. This breach of trust deeply hurt Susan, who regarded it as a significant violation of their friendship.
Despite such personal upheavals, Susan’s talent and dedication to her craft continued to shine through her career on the screen, earning her six nominations for the prestigious Golden Globe Awards and three nominations for Emmy Awards. She ultimately won a Golden Globe for her brilliant portrayal of Grace Van Owen on the 1980s hit series, L. A. Law.
Susan Dey was born in Westchester County, New York, in 1952, and now at 70 years of age, she reflects on a life both rich in professional achievements and deeply personal journeys. Her father worked as an editor in New Rochelle, New York, and her mother was a nurse, providing a stable and nurturing family background.
Her personal life saw two marriages; her first, with Lenny Hirshan in 1976, resulted in the birth of her daughter in 1978. Though their marriage ended in 1981, Susan did find love again in 1988 when she married television producer Bernard Sofronski, in an intimate ceremony surrounded by their closest friends and family.
As the new millennium dawned, Susan chose a quieter life, stepping away from the limelight of acting. Today, she cherishes a private, peaceful life with her husband Bernard, nestled in the serenity of Upstate New York.
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