Susan Lucci
Dubbed “Daytime’s Leading Lady” by TV Guide, Susan Lucci will appear on the upcoming season of “Dancing with the Stars.” She will be partnered with Tony Dovolani. Susan had originally refused to appear on the show because of the travel it would involve, but changed her mind because of the positive experience of Season 5 contestant and “All My Children” co-star Cameron Mathison.
Susan Victoria Lucci was born in Scarsdale, New York on December 23, 1946. She graduated from Garden City High School in 1964 with honors. After graduation, she attended Marymount College at Fordham University, graduating with a BFA in Theater Arts in 1968.
Susan always wanted to be a performer, preparing for her future by taking voice lessons, dance lessons, and performing in high school musicals. After college graduation, she moved to New York City and began auditioning for parts. She got work off Broadway and as an extra in movies such as Goodbye, Columbus. In 1969, she went on a life changing audition – for the new soap opera “All My Children,” which would air on January 5, 1970. Susan landed the role of Erica Kane. Today, Susan is one of only two actors (Ray MacDonnell is the other) who have been on the show since its pilot.
Susan was first nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 1978. She was nominated again in 1981, then almost every year after that. But each year, the win eluded Susan, despite her popularity. Susan’s nominations had become a bit of a joke, with many saying the Queen of Daytime Television had no crown. Even Saturday Night Live had Susan host the show and parodied her loses, with the cast, crew, and stagehands all walking around with Daytime Emmys. It would not be until her 19th day time Emmy nomination that Susan would take home the trophy. When she finally won in 1999, she received a four minute standing ovation from the crowd. All in all, Susan has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy 21 times. She won a People’s Choice Award, three Soap Opera Digest awards, the Gracie Allen Award (for Outstanding Female Lead in a Daytime Drama), and a Woman in Film Lucy Award.
In 1990 Susan made many guest appearances on “Dallas.” She has also appeared in many made for television movies including “Ebbie,” “The Women Who Sinned,” “Blood on Her Hands,” and “Haunted by Her Past.” She appeared on Broadway in 1999, replacing Bernadette Peters in Annie Get Your Gun. She was honored for her accomplishments with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.
Susan has launched the Susan Lucci Collection which includes hair care products, skin care products, a fashion line, jewelry, and makeup, which are sold on the Home Shopping Network.
Susan married Austrian business man Helmet Huber in September 1969. The couple has two children, Liza (who played Gwen Hotchkiss on “Passions”) and Andreas. Liza gave Susan her first grandchild, grandson Royce Alexander, born on Susan’s birthday in 2006.
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