Back in 1976, the world was captivated by the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man, a groundbreaking drama that became a cultural phenomenon. Based on Irwin Shaw's best-selling novel, the series spanned two decades and followed the contrasting lives of two brothers. It not only introduced the concept of the limited series but also launched the careers of its relatively unknown stars: Nick Nolte, Peter Strauss, and Susan Blakely. Susan, now 73, recalls her journey with Closer, saying, "I had no experience in television or episodic roles. We had no clue it would become such a huge hit. Fame wasn’t really on my radar, but suddenly, I couldn’t walk down the street without being recognized."
Over the years, Susan's career blossomed. She delivered memorable performances as Frances Farmer in a biographical film and as Eva Braun in The Bunker, where she portrayed the infamous partner of Anthony Hopkins' Adolf Hitler. Despite her dramatic success, she’s also ventured into comedy, inspired by legends like Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett. "Comedy has always been my passion," she shares. "It’s the root of why I fell in love with acting."
Early Beginnings and Family Support
Did your parents nurture your dreams of becoming an actress, or were they more traditional?
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"They were always supportive, but I think my dad would have preferred me to marry a West Point graduate or become the wife of a diplomat. It wasn’t the path for me, though. I’ve always been opinionated and politically aware, so those roles wouldn’t have suited me," Susan reminisces with a smile.
Modeling as a Stepping Stone
What was your experience like as a model, gracing the covers of Vogue and Cosmopolitan?
"Modeling was an incredible journey. I couldn’t believe I was earning so much money at such a young age. Back then, models didn’t command the salaries they do today, but it was still a fantastic experience. Honestly, I loved doing commercials too. It was all part of the adventure."
Did you ever feel pressure being labeled a 'model-turned-actress'?
"Oh, I chuckle when I think about how seriously I took myself back then. Looking back, it seems almost laughable. Later on, every actress wanted to try her hand at modeling and appear on magazine covers. I just did it the other way around."
Working with Legends
How did you land the role in The Towering Inferno?
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"If I had read the script beforehand, I might have passed! But I was on another shoot, and my agent mentioned the cast. When I heard Paul Newman was involved, I was sold. He was my ultimate crush. If Paul Newman was doing it, I wanted in."
What was it like working alongside such icons?
"It was a blast. I got to hang out with legends like William Holden and Fred Astaire. I was a novice, so I was nervous, but they were all so kind. William Holden even introduced me to Paul Newman, and my heart raced. He wasn’t just the sexiest man alive but also one of the kindest."
Breakthrough Role in 'Rich Man, Poor Man'
How did you secure the role in Rich Man, Poor Man?
"I starred in a movie called Report to the Commissioner, and Carol Burnett saw it. She recommended me to producer Harve Bennett. I didn’t know this until later because Carol is so humble. She didn’t want to take credit, but she’s been a lifelong inspiration to me."
