Susan Merson

Susan Merson (April 25, 1950) is an American actress, producer, author and playwright, known for her roles as Lorraine in Grey's Anatomy, Tammy in The Watcher and Lucy in Life Goes On, and such films as Lost in Yonkers, Tootsie and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Merson has performed in the Broadway productions of Zefirelli’s Saturday Sunday Monday and Children of a Lesser God. She has founded and co-founded several production companies such as New Dramatists, Manhattan Theatre Club, Lion Theatre and the O'Neill Theatre Center.

Life and career Merson was born April 25, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from Boston University. She co-founded the Off-Broadway Lion Theatre Company while working with stage director Garland Wright.

Merson originated the role of Maria in the Broadway production of Eduardo De Filippo's play Saturday Sunday Monday, which opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on November 21, 1974; directed by Franco Zeffirelli. In 1976, Merson created and starred in one of the longest running Off-Broadway musicals, Vanities, alongside Kathy Bates and Jane Galloway. It opened on March 22, 1976 at Playwrights Horizons and closed May 27, 1979, running for 1,313 performances.

As an acting teacher, Merson founded the Los Angeles and New York Writers Bloc; and taught playwriting for ten years at Cal State Fullerton.

An an actor, Merson has starred in several television shows and films, including, Lost in Yonkers, Tootsie, Grey’s Anatomy, Life Goes On, and The Watcher.

Filmography Year Film Role 2024 The Last Night in the Life of Death Macbeth 2015 Freeheld Harriet 2009 ‘Me, You, a Bag & Bamboo Chun Li’s Mother 2005 The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio Mrs. Bidlack 2004 Young Artie Feldman Artie’s Mom 2003 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Roadhouse Clubgoer #1 1996 Phenomenon nurse 1995 Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead Woman with Cancer 1993 Lost in Yonkers Gert 1982 Tootsie Page 1980 Times Square Nurse May

Television Year Film RoleNotes 2022 The Watcher Tammy 3 episodes 2022 Scandal Judge Thompson 1 episode 2009 Grey’s Anatomy Lorraine 2 episode 2008 True Blood Woman in Booth 1 episode 2008 Monk Mrs. Sheckman 1 episode 2005 Surface Gov’t Panel Suit #3 1 episode 2005 Numb3rs Brenda Aronson 1 episode 2004 Without a Trace Sheila 1 episode 2004 Meltdown Attorney General Zultrow TV Movie 2002 Six Feet Under Realtor 1 episode 2002 The Practice Mrs. Green 1 episode 2001 NYPD Blue Pam Del Porto 1 episode 2001 A Family in Crisis: The Elian Gonzales Story Janet Reno TV Movie 1999 Frasier Woman in Cafe 1 episode 1999 Net Force Senator Dondridge TV Movie 1998 Party of Five Airplane Woman 1 episode 1998 Ally McBeal Judge Stoller 1 episode 1998 Profiler Violet Preston 1 episode 1996 Dangerous Minds Norma Joelson 1 episode 1996 Murder One Caller (voice) 1 episode 1995 Picket Fences EMS Leader 1 episode 1995 ER Mrs. Blum 1 episode 1995 The Watched Rulenska 1 episode 1994 Models Inc. Dr. Alicia Bentson 2 episodes 1993 Reasonable Doubts Rose Stepke 2 episodes 1992 L.A. Law Dr. Elise Neiman 1 episodes 1991 Absolute Strangers Dr. Natalie Kay TV Movie 1991 Equal Justice Catherine Abbott 1 episode 1990 The Trials of Rosie O'Neill Harriet Meyer 1 episode 1990 Life Goes On Lucy 3 episodes 1990 Gabriel's Fire Dr. Rayne 1 episode 1990 The Operation Bank VP TV Movie 1989 Family Matters Sylvia 1 episode 1988 Thirtysomething Admissions Nurse 1 episode 1986 Hill Street Blues Resident 1 episode 1985 St. Elsewhere Dr. Gail Perry 1 episode

Published works