Susan Flannery

Susan Flannery Bio

Susan Flannery (born July 31, 1939) is an American actress and director whose career has spanned more than five decades across film, primetime drama, and daytime television. She is widely recognized for her portrayals of Laura Horton on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives and Stephanie Douglas Forrester on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. In addition to her work in front of the camera, Flannery has built a respected career as a director, calling the shots on episodes of several long-running series. Her combination of dramatic range and behind-the-scenes leadership has made her a notable figure in American television history.

Early Life and Background

Susan Flannery was born on July 31, 1939, in Jersey City, New Jersey, in the United States. She grew up in the greater New York area and attended high school in Manhattan, where she was first exposed to the performing arts. As a young woman, Flannery pursued her interest in drama and storytelling by enrolling at Stephens College, a women’s institution located in Columbia, Missouri. She graduated from Stephens College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962, completing her formal training just before stepping into the professional entertainment industry.

Her time at Stephens College helped shape her disciplined approach to acting and prepared her for the demands of live television and serialized drama. With a strong academic foundation and a clear creative direction, Flannery was ready to begin auditioning for work in Hollywood and New York shortly after graduation. Her early years in the industry reflected the same determination that had carried her through college.

Path to Acting

Susan Flannery made her television debut in 1963 with an appearance on the ABC crime series Burke’s Law, marking the start of her professional career. The following year, she transitioned to the big screen with a supporting role in the 1965 Western film Guns of Diablo, which served as her feature film debut. She spent the next several years building her resume through guest roles on popular primetime dramas, including Slattery’s People, Death Valley Days, Ben Casey, The Felony Squad, and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, where she appeared in a memorable three-episode arc.

In 1966, Flannery landed the role that would introduce her to a national audience when she was cast as Dr. Laura Spencer Horton on the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. She played the role for nearly a decade, until 1975, earning her first Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series during her final season. Her time on Days of Our Lives also introduced her to writer William J. Bell, who would later cast her in one of the most famous roles in daytime television history.

Susan Flannery Career

Early Career (1963–1975)

During her early years in Hollywood, Susan Flannery worked steadily in television and film, taking on a variety of dramatic parts that showcased her versatility. Her performance in the 1974 disaster film The Towering Inferno, directed by John Guillermin and starring Paul Newman and Steve McQueen, brought her mainstream recognition. The film was a major commercial success, earning roughly $203.3 million and becoming the highest-grossing film of 1974. For her work in the picture, Flannery won the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress, an honor that signaled her arrival as a leading dramatic talent.

Alongside her film success, Flannery continued to expand her presence in television. In 1975, she starred in the comedy film The Gumball Rally, demonstrating her range beyond dramatic roles. That same year, she took on a major television project, starring alongside Kirk Douglas, Joan Collins, and Christopher Plummer in the NBC miniseries The Moneychangers. Her performance in that prestigious production led to a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series in 1976.

Breakthrough (1976–2018)

After her Golden Globe win and Emmy nomination, Susan Flannery continued to build a varied resume that included primetime guest work, made-for-television movies, and additional miniseries. She starred in an episode of the British anthology series Thriller in 1976 and played the lead in the 1979 miniseries Women in White, based on the novel by Frank G. Slaughter. That same year, she took the leading role in the made-for-television romantic drama Anatomy of a Seduction. In 1981, she joined the cast of the CBS primetime soap opera Dallas, playing Leslie Stewart in eleven episodes during the show’s fourth season. She also appeared in the made-for-television movies Money on the Side (1982) and Shaft of Love (1983).

Flannery achieved her greatest worldwide recognition when she was cast as Stephanie Douglas Forrester on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful in 1987. She was one of the original cast members of the series, and her portrayal of the strong-willed Stephanie made her a household name among daytime drama fans. She remained in the role for 25 years, from 1987 to 2012, and returned briefly in 2018. Throughout her tenure, she received nine Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, winning in 2000, 2002, and 2003. She also worked as a regular director on the show, earning two Directors Guild of America Award nominations for her work behind the camera. In 2010, she was named number one on the Top 50 Soap Actresses of All Time list published by We Love Soaps TV.

Beyond her work on The Bold and the Beautiful, Flannery made guest appearances on other programs, including two episodes of ABC’s situation comedy Hope & Faith in 2004. She directed the October 13, 2008, episode of Guiding Light, and from 2010 to 2014 she directed 36 episodes of Venice: The Series. In 2017, she directed an episode of the ABC Family series The Fosters. Her advocacy work with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) also helped secure cable rights and foreign residuals for actors whose work appears in international markets.

Notable Works and Milestones

Susan Flannery’s most iconic work remains her portrayal of Stephanie Douglas Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful, a role that defined her career and earned her three Daytime Emmy Awards. Her Golden Globe win for The Towering Inferno in 1975 marked her breakthrough as a major film talent, while her work in The Moneychangers earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination. Her dual role as both a leading actress and a respected director on long-running television series has cemented her legacy in the entertainment industry.

Susan Flannery Award Nominations

Susan Flannery has received several notable award nominations throughout her career, recognizing her range across daytime, primetime, and film. In 1976, she earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series for her work in the NBC miniseries The Moneychangers. She also received nine Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Bold and the Beautiful, and two Directors Guild of America Award nominations for her work as a director on the show.

Susan Flannery Awards Won

Susan Flannery has won multiple major awards during her decades-long career in television and film. She received the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress in 1975 for her performance in The Towering Inferno. She also won three Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work as Stephanie Douglas Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful, taking home the honor in 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Susan Flannery Family

Susan Flannery has an adopted daughter, Blaise. Details about her broader family background are not widely documented in public sources, and her immediate family information beyond her daughter has not been confirmed for publication.

Personal Life

Susan Flannery has largely kept her personal life private. According to writer Rita Mae Brown’s 1997 memoir Rita Will, Flannery had a long-term relationship with actress, writer, and television personality Fannie Flagg. The two were introduced through their mutual friend Rita Mae Brown in the mid-1970s and maintained a close relationship for about eight years. Flannery has remained engaged in advocacy work through the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), supporting actors’ rights on cable and international productions.