Susan Sullivan got advice from famous actor Cary Grant at an early age but she didn't take it. Did she regret her decision?
Susan Sullivan, born in New York City on November 18, 1942, grew up with a passion for acting. She was raised with two siblings and graduated from Freeport High School.
She was a Playboy bunny for a while
Sullivan attempted to obtain a Fulbright scholarship in the 1960s, reported People. While she waited to see if she was selected, she opted to work as a Playboy bunny, only working on weekends.
The actress said that "people treated you like a goddess," though she made sure to tell others that she was hoping for a scholarship. Eventually, she made her way through Hofstra University and received a degree in Drama without the scholarship
Susan Sullivan, actress | Photo: Getty Images
Sullivan then began work at the Cleveland Playhouse. In 1968, she joined Dustin Hoffman in Broadway for the show "Jimmy Shine." Later on, she landed a regular role in "Another World."
She dated Cary Grant who gave her advice
At 23, Sullivan and Cary Grant bounced up at a party and later had a brief romance. A lover of her craft, Sullivan was surprised at some words of advice Grant gave her one date night.
According to her, "He said to me, 'Why are you being an actress? They're all neurotic.' I said, 'Even Katharine Hepburn?' And he said, 'Especially Katharine Hepburn!' I said, 'Well, what do you think I should do with my life?' And he said, 'I think you should become impregnated.' "
Susan Sullivan attends the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles in January 2019 | Photo: Getty Images
Sullivan passed on taking Grant's advice at the time. After four years, an agent pushed Sullivan to try Hollywood. Despite worrying about her age, she made several appearances on television. 1976's "Rich Man, Poor Man" earned her an Emmy nomination.
She found success on the small screen
She also did well on the TV movie series "Having Babies II" in 1977 and "Having Babies III" in 1978. In 1980, she worked on "It's a Living." By 1981, Sullivan struck gold with the role of "Maggie" on "Falcon Crest."
She reportedly left after seven seasons due to the way her character became a tad monotonous. She was then cast in 1990's "Doctor Doctor," 1991's "Perry Mason" and "Ruth Harper" and 1994's "A Perfect Stranger."
Susan Sllivan attends the Gala Screening of "Kominsky Method" at AFI Fest 2018 in November in Hollywood | Photo: Getty Images
She only picked up consistent work again in 1994, when she appeared on seven episodes of "The George Carlin Show." She also found a place on "The Monroes" in 1995.
She lived out Grant's advice in another way
Sullivan made a comeback in 1997 when she was cast as Kitty Montgomery on "Dharma & Greg" until 2002. She did an interview two years into her role explaining how she kind of messed up on Grant's advice.
“I am like that cartoon where the woman has the bubble over her head, and in it she is thinking, ‘Oh, my God, I forgot to have children!’ ”
Susan Sullivan attends the 2015 TCA Summer Press Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in August 2015 | Photo: Getty Images
Yet Sullivan explained that at the time she was the den mother of the cast. She was always ready to listen and to talk it out with whatever cast member was going through any issue.
She found love but still no children
Around that time, she met Connell Cowan, who was 60. They had met ten years ago, but Sullivan was busy with "Falcon Crest" back then. Though the pair have never gotten married, Sullivan said he "opened [her] heart."
After "Dharma & Greg," Sullivan made brief appearances in more tv shows and movies. Her longest since then has been on ABC's "Castle" from 2009 to 2016.
Susan Sullivan attends the 2013 Summer TCA Tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in August 2013 | Photo: Getty Images
In 2018, she was in a few episodes of "The Kominsky Method." From 2017 till 2019, she's found work on "Big Hero 6: The Series" as well as "Last Man Standing."
Though she has no children, Sullivan is a philanthropist who works with the Blue Cross and the Adult Children of Alcoholics (her father was an alcoholic). She's also a spokeswoman for Tylenol, which gained her much financial reward.
Grant took his own advice early on
Meanwhile, Grant did have a child in the '60s. His 53-year-old daughter also works as an actor. Naturally, she was torn when her father passed when she was 20 years old.
Susan Sullivan attends the 2012 Media PaleyFest in Beverly Hills in March 2012 | Photo: Getty Images
In line with his advice to Sullivan, Grant discouraged his daughter from acting, but she loved it just as much as Sullivan did it seems. She's received three Emmy awards, which would have undoubtedly made her father proud regardless of his initial hopes for her.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jmpsbWhpZnq0wdKapWarpaG5qsLAp2SfmZyYvK95wqucrKxdpLuksYyrnK%2BdkaGyb7TTpqM%3D