Suzanne Pleshette

About Suzanne Pleshette

Suzanne Pleshette became a household name for her portrayal of Emily Hartley, the charming wife of psychologist Bob Hartley in the beloved 1970s sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show. This iconic role earned her two Emmy nominations in 1977 and 1978. Her talent was recognized earlier with an Emmy nod in 1962 for a guest spot on Dr. Kildare, and again in 1991 for her starring turn as Leona Helmsley in the television movie, The Queen of Mean. Pleshette’s acting journey spanned nearly five decades.

Born in New York City on January 31, 1937, Suzanne was the daughter of Eugene Pleshette, a television network executive who had managed Manhattan and Brooklyn’s Paramount theaters during the Big Band era, and Geraldine Kaplan, a dancer known as Geraldine Rivers. Her family roots reached back to Russian Jewish immigrants on her father's side and Jewish immigrants from Austria-Hungary and Russia on her mother's. Pleshette herself acknowledged that acting didn't come naturally, but she found herself drawn to New York City's High School of the Performing Arts. After high school, she briefly attended Syracuse University before returning to New York to enroll at Finch College, an esteemed finishing school. She soon left Finch to study under the renowned acting coach Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse.

Pleshette made her Broadway debut in 1957, initially cast as "The Fourth Girl" in the play Compulsion, eventually stepping into the ingénue role during its run. Possessing striking beauty, a graceful figure, and a distinctive husky voice that lent her an air of maturity, she quickly found success on both television and film. She made her television debut at age 20 in Harbormaster and soon after was selected as the female lead opposite Jerry Lewis in his 1958 comedy, The Geisha Boy. On Broadway, she took over for Anne Bancroft in the successful play, The Miracle Worker. Once she embarked on her acting career, it remained consistently active until illness struck.

Her most memorable role on the big screen was in Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller, The Birds (1963), where she played the brunette schoolteacher jilted by Rod Taylor's character, Mitch Brenner. Pleshette’s warm, down-to-earth portrayal provided a compelling contrast to Tippi Hedren's cool blonde character. However, it is her role as Emily Hartley that remains her enduring legacy. Following the conclusion of The Bob Newhart Show, Pleshette continued to work frequently on television, primarily in made-for-TV movies. Despite her aptitude for drama, she possessed a comedic talent that led to her own CBS series in 1984, revisiting the network that aired The Bob Newhart Show. She played a key role in developing the half-hour sitcom, even receiving the