Susan Brown (American actress)

Susan Brown (May 4, 1932 – August 31, 2018) was an American television and film actress and interior designer. She was best known for her roles on daytime soap operas, particularly General Hospital; in 1979, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her role on the show.[1]

Not to be confused with Susan Brown (English actress).
Susan Brown
Brown in 1975
Born(1932-05-04)May 4, 1932
San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 31, 2018(2018-08-31) (aged 86)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
OccupationActress, interior designer
Years active1955–2004

Early life

Brown was born in San Francisco, California.[2] She graduated from the University of Southern California and later attended the American Theatre Wing in New York City.[3]

Career

Brown's first soap role was on From These Roots in 1959, taking over temporarily from leading actress Ann Flood.[2] Afterwards, she also subbed for Flood on numerous occasions in the role of Nancy Karr on The Edge of Night.[4] She later had regular roles on the short-lived soaps The Young Marrieds, Bright Promise and Return to Peyton Place, playing Constance MacKenzie.[2]

In 1977, Brown joined the cast of General Hospital as Dr. Gail Adamson Baldwin,[5] Monica Webber's foster mother who married widowed attorney Lee Baldwin (Peter Hansen). In 1979, Brown was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress.[6] She left the series on December 12, 1985, and made occasional appearances from 1989 to 1990 before returning on September 30, 1992 on a recurring status.[7][8]

In between stints, Brown played Victoria Lane's mother, Janet, on Santa Barbara and businesswoman Adelaide Fitzgibbons (who was romantically involved with the much younger Kirk Anderson (Tom Wiggin) on As the World Turns).[9] When General Hospital's spin-off series Port Charles began, the Baldwins were established as the core family, although once Kin Shriner (who played Scott Baldwin) returned to General Hospital, their appearances were reduced.

Brown, however, continued to be seen on occasion for special events on both shows. Along with Peter Hansen, she made her final appearance in 2004 in an episode honoring the late Anna Lee, who played Lila Quartermaine, whose character was also killed off.[3][10]

Along with her soap career, Brown performed on Broadway, primetime television, and films.[3] She guest starred on Death Valley Days, Kojak, Marcus Welby, M.D., Barney Miller, Hotel, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Frasier. She was a regular cast member on the short-lived ABC legal drama, Mariah in 1987.[2]

Brown also appeared in a number of films; in 1971, she appeared in a science fiction feature film, The Andromeda Strain.[3][11] In addition, Brown appeared in made-for-TV movies, including playing Nancy Reagan in Without Warning: the James Brady Story and Pat Nixon in The Final Days.[1]

Personal life and death

Brown owned an interior design firm and assisted various soap stars and television friends with her decorating services.[12] She died on August 31, 2018, in Los Angeles from undisclosed causes at the age of 86.[13] She had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.[1]

Soap appearances
gollark: ↓ firecubez, not making macron
gollark: ↓ firecubez, when making macron
gollark: They effectively get accelerated aging due to ??? telomeres, if I remember right.
gollark: Unfortunately, cloning would only duplicate the genetics of you and not whatever environmental stuff happened, plus the big age difference, plus also your clone would die horribly.
gollark: Oh bee. The compression ratios have worsened. Oh bee.

References
  1. Sippell, Margeaux (September 1, 2018). "Susan Brown, Actress on 'General Hospital,' Dies at 86". Variety. Los Angeles: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  2. "Susan Brown profile". Film Reference Library. Toronto: TIFF Bell Lightbox. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  3. "About GH: About the Actors: Susan Brown". Soapcentral. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  4. Dubinville, Mike (September 1, 2018). "General Hospital: Susan Brown Dies at 86". Daytime Confidential. United States: Confidential Media, Inc. (SAY Media). Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  5. Eades, Chris (September 1, 2018). "GENERAL HOSPITAL Star Susan Brown Dead at 86!". ABC Soaps In Depth. United States: Bauer Media Group. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  6. "Daytime Emmy Awards Show to air at 3 p.m. Thursday". Boca Raton News. Boca Raton, Florida: South Florida Media Company. May 11, 1979. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  7. Groves, Seli (December 30, 1985). "Frisco Staying On at 'General Hospital'". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida: GateHouse Media. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  8. Calvario, Liz. "Susan Brown, 'General Hospital' Actress, Dead at 86". Entertainment Tonight. United States: CBS Television Distribution. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  9. "Kristina Malandro back in 'Hospital'". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania: Reading Eagle Company. April 27, 1992. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  10. Fairman, Michael (August 31, 2018). "GH's Beloved Susan Brown Passes Away At 86". Michael Fairman TV. United States: The Michael Fairman Company. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  11. Noonan, Bonnie (2015). Gender in Science Fiction Films, 1964-1979: A Critical Study. New York City: McFarland & Company. p. 173. ISBN 978-0786459742.
  12. Mistretta, Amy (August 31, 2018). "Soap Vet Susan Brown Dead at 86". Soaps.com. United States: SheKnows Media. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  13. SOD (August 31, 2018). "GH FAVE SUSAN BROWN PASSES AWAY AT 86". Soap Opera Digest. United States: American Media, Inc. Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  14. Quinn, Dave. "General Hospital Star Susan Brown Dead at 86: 'She Was So Very Special,' Says Costar". Yahoo! News (New Zealand). United States: Oath Inc. People. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  15. Ramos, Dino-Ray (September 1, 2018). "Susan Brown Dies: Emmy Nominated 'General Hospital' Actress Was 86". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
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