Susan Anspach

Susan Florence Anspach (; November 23, 1942 – April 2, 2018) was an American stage, film and television actress who had roles in films during the 1970s and 1980s such as Five Easy Pieces, Play It Again, Sam (1972), Blume in Love (1973), Montenegro (1981), Blue Monkey (1987), and Blood Red (1989).

Early life Anspach was born and raised in Queens, New York City. Her mother was Gertrude , a secretary and former singer of Scottish and Irish ancestry. Her father was Renald Anspach, a World War II Army veteran and later factory worker, who was of German-Jewish and English descent. The couple met at the 1939 New York World's Fair. Anspach's grandfather had disapproved of the marriage and disowned his son. Anspach was raised by her great-aunt until Anspach was six, when her aunt died. She went back to live with her parents in what grew to be an abusive home; she ran away at age 15. With the help of a Roman Catholic organization, she moved in with a family in Harlem. She received a full scholarship to the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She studied music and drama. Anspach made her professional debut in Thornton Wilder's one-act play Pullman Car Hiawatha at a summer theater in Maryland.

Anspach first came to prominence in the 1970 film Five Easy Pieces, directed by Bob Rafelson and starring Jack Nicholson. Vincent Canby of The New York Times called her "one of America's most charming and talented actresses". She followed this with a supporting role in Woody Allen's Play It Again, Sam (1972) and a more prominent role in Paul Mazursky's romantic comedy Blume in Love (1973), alongside George Segal and Kris Kristofferson.

Anspach originally was cast in the role of country singer Barbara Jean in the 1975 film Nashville, but her salary request exceeded the ensemble film's budget; she was replaced by Ronee Blakley.

In her film career, Anspach starred in 19 features and eight television movies and also was featured in two series, The Yellow Rose and The Slap Maxwell Story (with Dabney Coleman). She guest-starred in the NBC romantic anthology series Love Story in 1973, in the episode "All My Tomorrows".

Personal life Anspach was raised in the Catholic faith of her mother. She said that the church and her psychoanalyst were her "parents" for close to 10 years of her youth.

Anspach had a daughter, Catherine Curry (born October 15, 1968) with fellow Hair cast member Steve Curry. She had a son, Caleb Goddard (born September 26, 1970), with Jack Nicholson. She married actor Mark Goddard in June 1970 and divorced him in October 1978. Goddard adopted both children.

Anspach married musician Sherwood Ball (son of musician-entrepreneur Ernie Ball) in 1982 and divorced him in 1988.

Activism Anspach marched with United Farm Workers head Cesar Chavez. She protested against the racist apartheid system of South Africa. Anspach also advocated for human rights in Central America.

Death Anspach died from heart failure on April 2, 2018, aged 75, in her Los Angeles home. 1979 Running Janet Sports drama film directed by Steven Hilliard Stern

The Devil and Max Devlin Penny Hart Fantasy–comedy film directed by Steven Hilliard Stern Gas Jane Beardsley Canadian comedy film directed by Les Rose Montenegro Marilyn Jordan 1984 Misunderstood Lily

Blue Monkey Dr. Judith Glass Horror film directed by William Fruet Heaven and Earth Karen McKeon 1988 Into the Fire Rosalind Winfield Thriller film directed by Graeme Campbell

The Rutanga Tapes Kate Simpson Blood Red Widow Drama film directed by Peter Masterson Back to Back Madeline Hix 2009 Wild About Harry Martha Drama film directed by Gwen Wynne and co-written by Wynne & Mary Beth Fielder 2011 Inversion Edna Boswell (final film role)

Television Year Title RoleNotes 1964 The Nurses Harriet Ravensel 1965 The Patty Duke Show Susan Episode: "Will the Real Sammy Davis Please Hang Up?" (S 2:Ep 25) The Defenders Jackie Dowling Episode: "A Matter of Law and Disorder" (S 4:Ep 26) The Patty Duke Show Susan Episode: "Cathy, the Rebel" (S 2:Ep 31) The Nurses Leora 1966 The Journey of the Fifth Horse Miss Gruboy / Elizaveta Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Larry Arrick and Earl Dawson 1969 Judd, for the Defense Nan Dawes Episode: "Runaway" (S 2:Ep 23) 1973 Love Story Lee McKinley Episode: "All My Tomorrows" (S 1:Ep 2) 1975 For the Use of the Hall Terry Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Lee Grant 1976 McMillan & Wife Lt. Kit Boone Episode: "Point of Law" (S 5:Ep 7) I Want to Keep My Baby! Donna Jo Martelli Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Jerry Thorpe The Secret Life of John Chapman Wilma 1977 Rosetti and Ryan Beverly Dresden Episode: "Men Who Love Women" (Pilot) Mad Bull Christina Sebastiani Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Walter Doniger and Len Steckler 1979 The Last Giraffe Betty Leslie-Melville 1980 Portrait of an Escort Jordan West Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Steven Hilliard Stern 1982 The First Time Lucy Dillon Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Noel Nosseck 1982 Deadly Encounter Chris Butler Made-for-TV-Movie directed by William A. Graham 1983 The Yellow Rose Grace McKenzie 9 episodes (regular cast, one season) 1984 Gone Are the Dayes Phyllis Daye Made-for-TV-Movie directed by Gabrielle Beaumont 1986 The Hitchhiker Claudia Reynolds Episode: "Dead Man's Curve" (S 3:Ep 8) 1989 Murder, She Wrote Lois Fricksey Episode: "Dead Letter" (S 6:Ep 6) 2002 Dancing at the Harvest Moon Julia Made-for-TV-Movie directed Bobby Roth