Biography for
Susan Oliver (I)

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Date of Birth

13 February 1932, New York, New York, USA

Date of Death

10 May 1990, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA (cancer)

Birth Name

Charlotte Gercke

Height

5' 5" (1.65 m)

Trivia

She won the Powder Puff Derby in 1970.

Was a licensed pilot.

Was named Pilot of the Year in 1970.

Attempted to become the first woman to fly a single-engine plane solo from New York to Moscow, but was deterred in Denmark when the Soviet government denied her permission to enter their air space.

Her mother was noted Hollywood astrologer Ruth Oliver. She died in 1988, two years before Susan. Her father was a newspaperman.

Gorgeous blonde of 60s movies with equally gorgeous cheekbones who tended to play neurotic, troubled types. She attracted major TV attention on "Peyton Place" (1964) when her character, "Ann Howard", was killed off, and also has a minor cult following as "Vina" from the original pilot for the "Star Trek" (1966) series.

Trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse.

Directed episodes of "M*A*S*H" (1972) and other TV programs.

Her memoir "Odyssey" detailed her journeys as a pilot. She once survived the crash of her own Piper Cub plane in 1966.

In celebration of Star Trek's 30th anniversary, an action figure was released of Susan as her character, "Vina", on "Star Trek" (1966).

Won a Tony award in 1958 for best newcomer, she was only on Broadway for one play and then it was only films and TV work.

Was a Buddhist and an expert on baseball.

Personal Quotes

"Any actor who is a professional picks up so much information from years of experience that they bring extra insights into directing. Not every actor will be a good director, you must have a good visual sense, a good story sense. I feel very deeply that I want to tell stories of value on film." (from a 1988 interview)

I want to be the best actress I can. But most of all, I want to be myself.

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