Susan Ruttan Biography (1948?-)

Original name, Susan Dunsrud; born September 16, 1948 (some sources say 1950), in Oregon City, OR; daughter of Daryl Dunsrud (a logger) and Helen Manis (anurse); married Mel Ruttan, c. 1966 (died); married Randy MacDonald (a boommicrophone operator), 1990 (divorced, 1993); children: Jackson (adopted). Addresses: Agent: Peter Young, The Gersh Agency, 232 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210-5302; Innovative Artists, 1505 Tenth St., Santa Monica, CA90401.; Manager: Opus Entertainment, 5225 Wilshire Blvd., #905, Los Angeles,CA 90036.

Nationality
American
Gender
Female
Occupation
Actress
Birth Details
September 16, 1948?
Oregon City, Oregon, United States

Famous Works

  • CREDITS
  • Film Appearances
  • Second nurse, Independence Day (also known as Follow Your Dreams), Warner Bros., 1983
  • Biker, Bad Manners (also known as Growing Pains), New World, 1984
  • Herself, "Put It on My Bill," Funny, 1988
  • Miriam, Bad Dreams, 1988
  • Woman in bookstore, Chances Are, TriStar, 1989
  • Claire Raskin, Funny about Love, Paramount, 1990
  • Lela, Love Kills, 1998
  • Mrs. O'Brien, Krippendorf's Tribe, Buena Vista, 1998
  • Wish You Were Dead, 2002
  • Television Appearances
  • Series
  • Roxanne Melman, L.A. Law, NBC, 1986-1993
  • Pilots
  • Marge, After George, CBS, 1983
  • Roxanne Melman, L.A. Law, NBC, 1986
  • Melody Huck, Family Values, UPN, 1995
  • Dreamweavers, syndicated, 2000
  • Mrs. Place, The Legend of Butch & Sundance, NBC, 2004
  • Movies
  • Prudish woman, Dropout Father, CBS, 1982
  • Hostess, The Fighter, CBS, 1983
  • Mrs. Joan Estep, Packin' It In, CBS, 1983
  • Portsmouth nurse, Thursday's Child, CBS, 1983
  • Robin, Second Sight: A Love Story, CBS, 1984
  • Margie, Scorned and Swindled, CBS, 1984
  • Judge M. Tyson, Murder: By Reason of Insanity (also known as MySweet Victim), CBS, 1985
  • Rosemary, Kicks, ABC, 1985
  • Julie Meyers, Do You Remember Love?, CBS, 1985
  • Ms. Morgan, Under the Influence, CBS, 1986
  • Mrs. McGwin, Bay Coven (also known as The Devils of Bay Cove, Eye of the Demon, and Strangers in Town), NBC, 1987
  • Courtney Page, Take My Daughters, Please, NBC, 1988
  • Sandra Thompson, Fire and Rain, USA Network, 1989
  • Judy Hecker, A Quiet Little Neighborhood, A Perfect Little Murder(also known as Darling, Let's Kill the Neighbors, Honey, Let's Killthe Neighbors, and A Perfect Little Murder), NBC, 1990
  • Mrs. Zavala, Sweet 15, PBS, 1990
  • Genene Jones, Deadly Medicine, NBC, 1991
  • Carol Blankenship, A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story, CBS, 1991
  • Arlene Reed, Jack Reed: Badge of Honor, NBC, 1993
  • Anne Marie Tesoriero, Without Warning: Terror in the Towers, NBC,1993
  • Arlene Reed, Jack Reed: A Search for Justice, NBC, 1994
  • Arlene Reed, Jack Reed: One of Our Own, 1995
  • Helen Preston, Justice for Annie: A Moment of Truth Movie, NBC, 1996
  • Arlene Reed, Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance, 1996
  • Arlene Reed, Jack Reed: A Killer amongst Us, NBC, 1996
  • Madge, Touched by Evil, ABC, 1997
  • Janet, Life of the Party: The Pamela Harriman Story (also known asLife of the Party: Pamela Harriman), Lifetime, 1998
  • Mrs. Claus, The Ultimate Christmas Present, The Disney Channel, 2000
  • Roxanne Melman, L.A. Law: The Movie, NBC, 2002
  • Mrs. Kasabian, Helter Skelter, CBS, 2004
  • Lucy Trotter, The Sure Hand of God (also known as Sinners NeedCompany), Lifetime, 2004
  • Miniseries
  • Arlene Reed, Deadly Matrimony (also known as Shattered Promises), NBC, 1992
  • Specials
  • Marian, "Gwendolyn," NBC Presents the AFI Comedy Special, NBC, 1987
  • Jay Leno's Family Comedy Special, NBC, 1987
  • Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, NBC, 1988
  • 55th Annual King Orange Jamboree Parade, NBC, 1988
  • Judge, The Miss Universe Pageant 1988, CBS, 1988
  • Host, All-American Sports Nuts, NBC, 1988
  • The Valvoline National Driving Test, CBS, 1989
  • Cohost, Thanks for Giving, USA Network, 1989
  • The Test Tube, ABC, 1990
  • Rich and Famous: 1990 World's Best, syndicated, 1990
  • Ms. Morales, "Malcolm Takes a Shot," CBS Schoolbreak Special, CBS,1990
  • The "L.A. Law" 100th Episode Special, NBC, 1991
  • Soap Opera Digest Awards, NBC, 1992
  • In Search of the Oregon Trail, PBS, 1996
  • Story First: Behind the Unabomber, Lifetime, 1996
  • Interviewee, L.A. Law: The E! True Hollywood Story (documentary),E! Entertainment Television, 2001
  • NBC 75th Annual Special (also known as NBC 75th Annual Celebration), NBC, 2002
  • Episodic
  • Ester, "What Price Glory?," Bosom Buddies, 1981
  • "The New Jail," Best of the West, ABC, 1981
  • Waitress, "Our Man Barry," It's a Living, 1981
  • Helen, "Sugar and Spice," Quincy, 1981
  • Bus driver, "Jackal," The Powers of Matthew Star, NBC, 1982
  • "Where's My Paycheck," Night Court, NBC, 1984
  • "The Scandal," Benson, ABC, 1984
  • "Adventure in Hong Kong," Benson, ABC, 1984
  • Katherine Zawicki Shrub, "Have Yourself a Very Degrading Christmas," Buffalo Bill, NBC, 1984
  • Katherine Zawicki Shub, "A Hero," Buffalo Bill, NBC, 1984
  • Sarah, "Georgie's Girl," Newhart, CBS, 1984
  • Miss Livermore, "Lofty Steele," Remington Steele, NBC, 1984
  • Mrs. Cunningham, "That Blasted Cunningham," The Jeffersons, CBS, 1985
  • Mrs. Blake, "Wheels of Justice: Parts 1 & 2," Night Court, NBC, 1986
  • "A Day in Mayfield," The New Leave It to Beaver, TBS, 1986
  • Late Night with David Letterman, 1987
  • Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, syndicated, 1988
  • Improv Tonight, 1988
  • Joanne Peters, "Cassie's Choice," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 1994
  • Stefanie Dale, "Mitigating Circumstances," Courthouse, 1995
  • Linda Fortin, "Higher Powers," Chicago Hope, CBS, 1996
  • Linda Fortin, "Verdicts," Chicago Hope, CBS, 1997
  • Nectarine, "It's My Nana and I'll Cry If I Want To," Suddenly Susan, NBC, 1997
  • Nectarine, "Oh, How They Danced: Parts 1 & 2," Suddenly Susan,NBC, 1998
  • Doris Warner, "All Aboard," Love Boat: The Next Wave, UPN, 1998
  • Kathy, "Citizen Solomon," 3rd Rock from the Sun, NBC, 1998
  • "Older Women, Younger Men," Safe Harbor, The WB, 1999
  • Mother, "Nobody Knows the Difference," Chicken Soup for the Soul,PAX, 1999
  • "Angels Once and a While/Carrie's Gift/A Secret Promise," Chicken Soupfor the Soul, PAX, 1999
  • Hairstylist's angry client, "Stealing Home," Family Law, CBS, 2000
  • Pooh's mother, "Well Solved Sherlock," Brutally Normal, The WB, 2000
  • Mrs. Donovan, "A Clown's Prayer," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 2000
  • Joy Ferrara, "Citizen Shame," Popular, The WB, 2000
  • Joy Ferrara, "Ur-ine Trouble: Part 2," Popular, The WB, 2000
  • Joy Ferrara, "Are You There God? It's Me, Ann-Margaret," Popular,The WB, 2000
  • Dr. Grace Tarpon, "The Lottery," Gideon's Crossing, ABC, 2000
  • Lyla Myles, "Romeo and Juliet Must Die--Well, Maybe Just Juliet," Judging Amy, CBS, 2001
  • Bed & Breakfast wife, "The Road Trip to Harvard," Gilmore Girls, The WB, 2001
  • Marietta Pryor, "Blinded by the White," Any Day Now, Lifetime, 2001
  • Aunt Betty, "Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner," Yes, Dear, CBS, 2001
  • Mrs. Irene Rafferty, "When Irish Eyes Are Smilin'," The Fighting Fitzgeralds, NBC, 2001
  • Doris Kroeger, "Gone," Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, UPN, 2002
  • Mrs. Finn, "The Crazy-Girl Episode," Maybe It's Me, The WB, 2002
  • "Home Grown," The Agency, CBS, 2002
  • "Book of Memories," The Division, Lifetime, 2004
  • Also appeared in The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (also known asLobo), NBC; "Oh, Promise Me," Amanda's; as Marilyn Craig, Sweet Justice; Anne, The Mommies; Marge, Empire, CBS.
  • Stage Appearances
  • Appeared in Hot L Baltimore, Staircase Repertory Productions, Santa Cruz, CA.
  • RECORDINGS
  • Taped Readings; Contributor
  • American Rhapsody by Joe Eszterhas, New Millennium, 2000
  • Video Games
  • Voice of Carolyn Drake, Code Blue, 2000

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

    Periodicals
    • People Weekly, November 18, 1991; November 29, 1993, p. 91
    • Weight Watchers Magazine, May, 1989, p. 41