Susan Anspach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Susan Anspach
Anspach in 1979
Born	Susan Florence Anspach (1942-11-23)November 23, 1942 New York City, New York U.S.
Died	April 2, 2018(2018-04-02) (aged 75) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1965–2009
Spouse(s)	Mark Goddard ​ ​ (m. 1970; div. 1978)​ Sherwood Ball ​ ​ (m. 1982; div. 1988)​
Children	2

Susan Florence Anspach (born November 23, 1942 – died April 2, 2018) was an American actress. She was known for her work in plays, movies, and TV shows. Susan starred in many films during the 1970s and 1980s. Some of her well-known movies include Five Easy Pieces (1970), Play It Again, Sam (1972), and Blume in Love (1973).

Early Life and Education

Susan Anspach was born and grew up in Queens, a part of New York City. Her mother, Gertrude, was a secretary and singer. Her father, Renald, was a factory worker and a veteran of World War II.

Susan had a challenging childhood. She lived with her great-aunt until she was six years old. After her aunt passed away, Susan returned to live with her parents. At age 15, she left home. A Catholic organization helped her find a new family to live with in Harlem.

In 1960, Susan graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School. She earned a full scholarship to the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. There, she studied music and drama. Susan's first professional acting job was in a play called Pullman Car Hiawatha in Maryland. After college, she moved back to New York City to continue her acting career.

Acting Career Highlights

Susan Anspach performed in many plays both on Broadway and in smaller theaters called off-Broadway. She played the main female role, Sheila, in the musical Hair. She also acted alongside famous actors like Al Pacino early in her career.

Susan became widely known for her role in the 1970 movie Five Easy Pieces. This film was directed by Bob Rafelson and starred Jack Nicholson. A film critic from The New York Times praised her as a very talented actress.

After Five Easy Pieces, she appeared in Woody Allen's movie Play It Again, Sam in 1972. She also had a bigger role in the romantic comedy Blume in Love (1973), acting with George Segal.

Susan was originally chosen for a role in the 1975 film Nashville. However, her requested salary was too high for the movie's budget, so another actress took the part.

In 1965, she acted in an off-Broadway play called A View from the Bridge. In this play, she worked with actors like Robert Duvall, Jon Voight, and Dustin Hoffman.

Throughout her career, Susan Anspach acted in 19 feature films and eight television movies. She also appeared in two TV series, The Yellow Rose and The Slap Maxwell Story. She was a guest star in an episode of the TV series Love Story in 1973.

Personal Life and Activism

Susan Anspach was a Roman Catholic. She once said that her church and her therapist were like her "parents" for about ten years when she was young.

Susan had two children. Her daughter, Catherine Curry, was born in 1968. Her son, Caleb Goddard, was born in 1970. Susan married actor Mark Goddard in 1970, and they divorced in 1978. Mark Goddard adopted both of her children. Later, Susan married musician Sherwood Ball in 1982, and they divorced in 1988.

Susan was also an activist who cared about important causes. She marched with United Farm Workers leader César Chávez. She also spoke out against the unfair apartheid system in South Africa. Susan also supported human rights in Central America.

Later Years and Passing

Susan Anspach passed away on April 2, 2018, at the age of 75. She died from heart failure at her home in Los Angeles.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles