Susan Kohner
Biography
Susanna Susan Kohner is an American former actress born on November 11, 1936, in Los Angeles, California. She is best known for playing the role of Sarah Jane in Douglas Sirk's 1959 drama Imitation of Life, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe Award. Kohner also starred in several other films, including The Gene Krupa Story in 1959, for which she won a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female. Her additional film credits include All the Fine Young Cannibals in 1960, By Love Possessed in 1961, and Freud in 1962. She retired from acting in 1964 following her marriage to menswear designer John Weitz, with whom she shares two filmmaker sons named Paul and Chris Weitz.
Career overview
Susan Kohner is an American former actress born on November 11, 1936, in Los Angeles, California. She is best known for her role as Sarah Jane in Douglas Sirk's drama Imitation of Life, which was released in 1959. Her performance in this film earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
In addition to Imitation of Life, Kohner starred in several other films during her career. These include The Gene Krupa Story in 1959, for which she won a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female. She also appeared in All the Fine Young Cannibals in 1960, By Love Possessed in 1961, and Freud in 1962.
Kohner retired from acting in 1964 following her marriage to menswear designer John Weitz. Together, they had two sons, filmmakers Paul and Chris Weitz. Throughout her career, she accumulated twenty-six known acting credits.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
28 titles- A Star Without a Star: The Untold Juanita Moore Story (2022) as Self
- Channing (1963) as Rena Covic
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Nurses (1962) as Terry Collins
- Going My Way (1962)
- Freud: The Secret Passion (1962) as Martha Freud
- The Dick Powell Show (1961) as Miriam Marks
- By Love Possessed (1961) as Helen Detweiler
- Route 66 (1960)
- Checkmate (1960) as Victoria Angelo
- All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960) as Catherine McDowall
- In the Presence of Mine Enemies (1960) as Rachel Heller
- Rawhide (1959) as Abbie Bartlett
- Imitation of Life (1959) as Sarah Jane (18)
- The Big Fisherman (1959) as Fara
- The Gene Krupa Story (1959) as Ethel Maguire
- Dino (1957) as Shirley
- Trooper Hook (1957) as Consuela
- The Last Wagon (1956) as Jolie Normand
- Matinee Theater (1955)
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Therese
- To Hell and Back (1955) as Maria
- Climax! (1954) as (segment "Child of the Wind")
- Climax! (1954)
- Four Star Playhouse (1952) as Anita
- Cavalcade of America (1952)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Angela O'Neill
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Lynn Howell
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Susan Kohner best known for?
Susan Kohner is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Merv Griffin Show (1962), Brüno (2009), Going My Way (1962), Freud: The Secret Passion (1962).
When and where was Susan Kohner born?
Susan Kohner was born on November 11, 1936 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
How many credits does Susan Kohner have?
Susan Kohner has accumulated over 28 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2022.
What is Susan Kohner's background in cinema and television?
Susanna Susan Kohner is an American former actress born on November 11, 1936, in Los Angeles, California. She is best known for playing the role of Sarah Jane in Douglas Sirk's 1959 drama Imitation of Life, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe Award. Kohner also st...
Susan Kohner by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Therese — aged about 18
- Imitation of Life (1959) as Sarah Jane (18) — aged about 22
- Dino (1957) as Shirley — aged about 20
- Rawhide (1959) as Abbie Bartlett — aged about 22
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Angela O'Neill — aged about 14
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Lynn Howell — aged about 14
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