Do you recall watching “The Partridge Family”? If you were a fan, you likely found yourself captivated by the charm of Laurie Partridge, portrayed by the talented Susan Dey.
When Susan landed the role in the ABC series that aired from 1970 to 1974, she was new to acting. However, casting her turned out to be a brilliant decision, as she displayed remarkable talent that made it seem like she had been performing on screen for years.
The journey of the singing family, who traveled in a vibrant, refurbished school bus to showcase their talents, captured the hearts of many. After their success in the United States, they also became a sensation in the U.K., leading to the cast’s rise in popularity.
Susan’s co-star, David Cassidy, known for his role as Keith, quickly became a teen heartthrob adored by countless girls, including Susan herself. She had harbored feelings for him for quite some time, but they only began dating after the show concluded. Their romance was short-lived, yet they maintained a strong friendship until David released his book, C’mon, Get Happy: Fear and Loathing on the Partridge Family Bus, where he revealed some personal insights about their relationship. He mentioned that he ended things with her because he felt she was too innocent for him.
Susan was furious about this. She promised herself that she would never talk to him again and even chose not to go to the cast reunion many years later.
After her time on “The Partridge Family,” Susan appeared in numerous films and television series, and she also authored a book called, Susan Dey’s Secrets on Boys, Beauty and Popularity.
Throughout her career, she received six Golden Globe nominations and three Emmy nominations, ultimately winning a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her portrayal of Grace Van Owen in “LA Law.”
Susan declined the part of Sandy in Grease, as reported by Worldation.com. Meanwhile, Olivia Newton John, who eventually took on the Sandy role, was also offered the character of Laurie in “The Partridge Family,” but her manager persuaded her to pass on that opportunity.
Today, Susan is happily living a peaceful life with her husband and family in New York, the city where she was raised. Although she’s stepped away from the spotlight, she will always be remembered as someone who brought joy to our childhood. Shows like “The Partridge Family” are unforgettable, no matter how many years go by.