Susan Ruttan

Made memorable guest appearance as the uncaring mother of Carmen Ferrara (played by Sara Rue) in "Popular" (The WB)

Had featured role in the movie comedy "Krippendorf's Tribe"

Supported Ann-Margaret in the Lifetime movie "Life of the Party: The Pamela Harriman Story"

Appeared on stage in Canada in "Funny Money"

Cast as Arlene Reed, wife of a Chicago police detective (played by Brian Dennehy) in the NBC miniseries "Deadly Matrimony"

Portrayed the mother of a mentally challenged child in "A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story" (CBS)

Co-starred in the NBC thriller "Bay Coven"

Breakthrough TV role as lumpen secretary Roxanne Melman on the NBC courtroom series, "L.A. Law"; earned four Emmy nominations; role was diminished from weekly to recurring before she was dropped by the show in its eighth season

Cast as a judge in "Murder: By Reason of Insanity" (CBS)

Had supporting role in the CBS movie "Do You Remember Love"

Had recurring guest role on "Buffalo Bill"

TV series debut as regular, the short-lived CBS comedy "Empire"

Acted in the pilots "After George" (CBS) and "Buffalo Bill" (NBC)

Feature film debut, a bit role as a nurse in "Independence Day"

TV movie debut, small part in "Drop-Out Father" (CBS)

Made guest appearances in episodes of the ABC sitcoms "Bosom Buddies" and "Best of the West"

Joined casting department at Universal Studios

Professional acting debut in the Staircase Repertory production of "Hot l Baltimore" in Santa Cruz, California; stayed with the company four years

Managed a bar after her first husband's death (date approximate)

Moved to Santa Rosa, California, to live with mother after high school graduation

Acted with the Performing Garage in NYC

Adopted by her paternal grandmother after parents' divorce until she was 12; was sent to boarding school and spent holidays with father

Moved from one logging camp to another with her father while growing up

Reprised role of Arlene Reed in four TV-movie sequels aired on NBC