Susan Ruttan was born on September 16, 1948 in Oregon City, Oregon, USA as Susan Dunrud. She is an actress, known for L.A. Law (1986), Prayers for Bobby (2009) and Chances Are (1989). She was previously married to Randy McDonald and Melven Ruttan.
Member of the Staircase Repertory Company from 1974 to 1978 in Santa Cruz, California.
2
Quirky, auburn-haired, vulnerable-looking American character actress best known for her long-suffering secretary Roxanne on TV's L.A. Law (1986), for which she received several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
3
Married twice - her first husband died young in the early 1970s. Divorced from her second.
4
Her father was a logger and she lived in various logging camps during her early life until her paternal grandmother adopted her at the age of 12 after her parents' divorce.
5
Started an interior design business in 2000.
6
Adopted son Jackson at birth in 1993.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Grimm
2015
TV Series
Betty Frame
I Didn't Do It
2015
TV Series
Ada
Battle Creek
2015
TV Series
Carole
Come Simi
2015
Jeannie
The Quota
2014
Short
Lucy
Swelter
2014
Church Lady
The Grim Sleeper
2014
Good Luck Charlie
2013
TV Series
Mrs. Dobbs
Common Law
2012
TV Series
Paul's Mother
Grey's Anatomy
2011
TV Series
Mrs. Swork
The Forgotten
2009-2010
TV Series
Horsemama
Dead Air
2009/I
Maggie
Donna on Demand
2009
Rose
Hawthorne
2009
TV Series
Dolores Kramer
Hannah Montana
2009
TV Series
Grandma
Castle
2009
TV Series
Mrs. Pike
Ghost Whisperer
2009
TV Series
Mrs. Blakelock
Private Practice
2009
TV Series
Nora
Prayers for Bobby
2009
TV Movie
Betty Lambert
Half-Life
2008
Lorraine Parker
Tell Me You Love Me
2007
TV Series
The Legend of Butch & Sundance
2006
TV Movie
Mrs. Place
You Did What?
2006
Mom
Boston Legal
2005
TV Series
Jeanie Biddle
Monk
2005
TV Series
Mrs. Ledsky
Strong Medicine
2005
TV Series
Dr. Offenbach
CSI: NY
2004
TV Series
Mrs. Moreland
Helter Skelter
2004
TV Movie
Mrs. Kasabian
The Division
2004
TV Series
Mrs. Evans
The Sure Hand of God
2004
Lucy Trotter
The Agency
2002
TV Series
Mrs. Barnes
L.A. Law: The Movie
2002
TV Movie
Roxanne Melman
Maybe It's Me
2002
TV Series
Mrs. Finn
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
2002
TV Series
Doris Kroeger
Yes, Dear
2001
TV Series
Aunt Betty
Any Day Now
2001
TV Series
Marietta Pryor
Gilmore Girls
2001
TV Series
Bed & Breakfast Wife
Gideon's Crossing
2001
TV Series
Dr. Grace Tarpon
Judging Amy
2001
TV Series
Lyla Myles
Popular
2000
TV Series
Joy Ferrara
The Ultimate Christmas Present
2000
TV Movie
Mrs. Claus
Code Blue
2000
Video Game
Carolyn Drake (voice)
Touched by an Angel
1994-2000
TV Series
Mrs. Donovan / Joanne Peters
Brutally Normal
2000
TV Series
Pooh's Mother
Family Law
2000
TV Series
Hairstylist's Angry Client
Chicken Soup for the Soul
1999
TV Series
Safe Harbor
1999
TV Series
3rd Rock from the Sun
1999
TV Series
Cathy
Love Boat: The Next Wave
1998
TV Series
Doris Werner
Life of the Party: The Pamela Harriman Story
1998
TV Movie
Janet
Love Kills
1998
Lela
Suddenly Susan
1997-1998
TV Series
Nectarine Stites
Krippendorf's Tribe
1998
Mrs. O'Brian
Chicago Hope
1996-1997
TV Series
Linda Fortin
Touched by Evil
1997
TV Movie
Madge Jaynes
Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance
1996
TV Movie
Arlene Reed
Justice for Annie: A Moment of Truth Movie
1996
TV Movie
Helen Preston
Jack Reed: A Killer Among Us
1996
TV Movie
Arlene
Family Values
1995
TV Movie
Melody Huck
Jack Reed: One of Our Own
1995
TV Movie
Arlene Reed
Courthouse
1995
TV Series
Stefanie Dale
Sweet Justice
1995
TV Series
Marilyn Craig
Jack Reed: A Search for Justice
1994
TV Movie
Arlene Reed
L.A. Law
1986-1993
TV Series
Roxanne Melman
Jack Reed: Badge of Honor
1993
TV Movie
Arlene Reed
The Mommies
1993
TV Series
Anne
Without Warning: Terror in the Towers
1993
TV Movie
Anne Marie Tesoriero
Bride of Killer Nerd
1992
Extra
Deadly Matrimony
1992
TV Movie
Arlene Reed
Deadly Medicine
1991
TV Movie
Genene Jones
A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story
1991
TV Movie
Carol
Sweet 15
1990
TV Movie
Mrs. Zavala
A Quiet Little Neighborhood, a Perfect Little Murder
1990
TV Movie
Judy Hecker
Funny About Love
1990
Claire
CBS Schoolbreak Special
1990
TV Series
Ms. Morales
Fire and Rain
1989
TV Movie
Sandra Thompson
Ghostbusters II
1989
Woman in TV Interview (uncredited)
Chances Are
1989
Woman in the Bookstore
Take My Daughters, Please
1988
TV Movie
Courtney
Bad Dreams
1988
Miriam
Bay Coven
1987
TV Movie
Debbi McGwin
The New Leave It to Beaver
1986
TV Series
Mrs. Livermore
Under the Influence
1986
TV Movie
Ms. Morgan
Night Court
1985
TV Series
Mrs. Blake
Murder: By Reason of Insanity
1985
TV Movie
Judge M. Tyson
What's Happening Now!
1985
TV Series
Jane
Do You Remember Love
1985
TV Movie
Julie Myers
The Jeffersons
1985
TV Series
Mrs. Cunningham
Kicks
1985
TV Movie
Rosemary
Newhart
1984
TV Series
Sarah
Growing Pains
1984
Biker
Scorned and Swindled
1984
TV Movie
Margie
Remington Steele
1984
TV Series
Miss Livermore
Benson
1984
TV Series
Rita
Buffalo Bill
1984
TV Series
Katherine Zawicki Shub
Second Sight: A Love Story
1984
TV Movie
Robin
After MASH
1983
TV Series
Doris Gardena
After George
1983
TV Short
Marge
The Fighter
1983
TV Movie
Hostess
Packin' It In
1983
TV Movie
Mrs. Estep
Thursday's Child
1983
TV Movie
Portsmouth Nurse
Independence Day
1983
Nurse #2
Amanda's
1983
TV Series
Sister Mary Elizabeth
Drop-Out Father
1982
TV Movie
Woman Prude
The Powers of Matthew Star
1982
TV Series
Bus Driver
Best of the West
1981-1982
TV Series
Pregnant Woman
Quincy M.E.
1981
TV Series
Helen
Harper Valley P.T.A.
1981
TV Series
Woman
It's a Living
1981
TV Series
Waitress
Bosom Buddies
1981
TV Series
Esther Crane
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The LA Law Story
2014
Video documentary
Whatever Happened To?
2009
TV Series
Herself
Living Live!
2007
TV Series
Herself-Guest Host (2007)
The John Kerwin Show
2005
TV Series
Herself
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
2002
TV Special
Herself
The 19th Annual People's Choice Awards
1993
TV Special
Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Dramatic Television Series
John & Leeza from Hollywood
1993
TV Series
Herself
The 18th Annual People's Choice Awards
1992
TV Special
Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Drama Series
The $10,000 Pyramid
1986-1991
TV Series
Herself - Celebrity Contestant
The Chuck Woolery Show
1991
TV Series
Herself
One on One with John Tesh
1991
TV Series
Herself
L.A. Law 100th Episode Celebration
1991
TV Movie
Herself / Roxanne Melman
The 17th Annual People's Choice Awards
1991
TV Special
Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Dramatic Series
The 16th Annual People's Choice Awards
1990
TV Special
Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Dramatic Series
The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1990
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1990
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1989
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
The 15th Annual People's Choice Awards
1989
TV Special
Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Drama Program
Live with Kelly and Michael
1989
TV Series
Herself
The New Hollywood Squares
1987-1989
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
The Arsenio Hall Show
1989
TV Series
Herself
The 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1989
TV Special
Herself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1988
TV Special
Herself
The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1988
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Super Password
1987-1988
TV Series
Herself - Celebrity Contestant
The 14th Annual People's Choice Awards
1988
TV Special documentary
Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Drama Program
Funny
1988
Documentary
Herself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1987
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Family Comedy Hour
1987
TV Special
Herself
Late Night with David Letterman
1987
TV Series
Herself
The 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1987
TV Special
Herself - Nominee
American Film Institute Comedy Special
1987
TV Special
Marian (segment "Gwendolyn")
The 13th Annual People's Choice Awards
1987
TV Special
Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite New Television Drama Program
Hour Magazine
1987
TV Series
Herself
Celebrity Double Talk
1986
TV Series
Herself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Prayers for Bobby: Behind the Scenes
2009
Video short
Betty Lambert (uncredited)
Prayers for Bobby: Meet the Real Mary Griffith
2009
Video documentary short
Betty Lambert (uncredited)
Prayers for Bobby: Meet the Stars
2009
Video documentary short
Betty Lambert (uncredited)
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1988
Q Award
Viewers for Quality Television Awards
Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series
L.A. Law (1986)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2015
Festival Award
Hill Country Film Festival, US
Best Actress
The Quota (2014)
1991
Q Award
Viewers for Quality Television Awards
Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series
L.A. Law (1986)
1990
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
L.A. Law (1986)
1990
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
L.A. Law (1986)
1990
Q Award
Viewers for Quality Television Awards
Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series
L.A. Law (1986)
1989
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television