Susan Ruttan
| Susan Ruttan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Susan Diane Dunsrud September 16, 1948 Oregon City, Oregon, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Spouse(s) | Mel Ruttan (August 26, 1967-November 22, 1970; his death) Joseph Warbis (1990-1993) |
Susan Diane Ruttan (née Dunsrud; born September 16, 1948, Oregon City, Oregon) is an American actress, best known for her role as Roxanne Melman on L.A. Law (1986–1993).
Life and career
Ruttan graduated from University of Oregon and University of California, Santa Cruz.[1]
Ruttan played Roxanne Melman on L.A. Law from 1986 to 1993, when the show was cancelled.[1] She reprised the role in 2002 for a TV reunion, L.A. Law: The Movie. She earned four nominations for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in show.[2]
Ruttan first attracted significant attention playing the scheming wife of George Jefferson's dry-cleaning archrival, Gil Cunningham, on The Jeffersons. Other television appearances included episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, AfterMash, Bosom Buddies, Third Rock from the Sun, Remington Steele, Yes, Dear, Newhart and Gilmore Girls. Buffy creator Joss Whedon cast numerous show alumni in 2008's Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, including Ruttan who appeared briefly in a non-speaking role.
Ruttan had a small comedic role in the teen comedy feature film Bad Manners (aka: Growing Pains) (1984),[1] and played convicted killer Genene Jones in the television movie Deadly Medicine (1991). She has also appeared in an episode of Hannah Montana ("Promma Mia"). Her most dramatic role to date was in the 2004 remake of Helter Skelter, in which she played the mother of Linda Kasabian. In 2009, she appeared in the movie, Prayers for Bobby.
Personal life
Ruttan has been married twice. Her first marriage, to Mel Ruttan in 1967, ended with his death in a motorcycle accident three years later. She kept his surname as her professional name. Her second marriage, to Joe Warbis, lasted from 1990 to 1993. She is the mother of Jackson Ruttan (born May 19, 1993), whom she adopted.[citation needed]
