Susan Tyrrell
Biography
Susan Tyrrell was an American character actress born on March 18, 1945, in San Francisco, California. Her acting career began in theater in New York City in the 1960s, with appearances in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Her first film was Shoot Out in 1971. Tyrrell received the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the 1977 film Bad. She was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in John Huston's Fat City in 1972. Tyrrell's acting career spanned multiple decades and included numerous credits, with a known total of 76 credits. She passed away on June 16, 2012, at the age of 67.
Career overview
Susan Tyrrell began her acting career in the 1960s in theater productions in New York City, appearing in both Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Her first film role was in Shoot Out, released in 1971. This marked the beginning of her transition from stage to screen.
Tyrrell's film career continued with notable performances, including a role in John Huston's Fat City, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Oma. Her performance in Andy Warhol's Bad earned her a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1978. Throughout her career, Tyrrell demonstrated a talent for playing complex and often unconventional characters.
With a career spanning multiple decades, Susan Tyrrell accumulated a significant number of credits, with 76 acting credits listed. Her work in film and theater showcased her versatility as an actress, and her performances continue to be recognized for their depth and nuance.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
79 titles- The Life of Sean DeLear (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- Kid-Thing (2012) as Esther
- Flexing with Monty (2010) as Mrs. Nog (voice)
- The Boneyard Collection (2008) as High Priestess
- Masked and Anonymous (2003) as Ella the Fortune Teller
- Buddy Boy (2000) as Sal
- Relax... It's Just Sex (1998) as Alicia
- Cow and Chicken (1997) as Madame DeBarge (voice)
- Extreme Ghostbusters (1997) as Achira (voice)
- I Am Weasel (1997) as Madame DeBarge (voice)
- Poison Ivy: The New Seduction (1997) as Mrs. B
- Pink as the Day She Was Born (1997)
- Japan in Paris in L.A. (1996)
- Powder (1995) as Maxine
- The Demolitionist (1995) as Eleanor Grimbaum
- Digital Man (1995) as Mildred
- Susan Tyrrell: My Rotten Life, a Bitter Operetta (1992) as The Woman
- Susan Tyrrell: My Rotten Life, a Bitter Operetta (1992) Book
- Susan Tyrrell: My Rotten Life, a Bitter Operetta (1992) Lyricist
- Susan Tyrrell: My Rotten Life, a Bitter Operetta (1992) Writer
- Motorama (1991) as Bartender
- Every Cake, Neil (1991)
- Wings (1990) as Sconset Sal
- Cry-Baby (1990) as Ramona Rickettes
- Rockula (1990) as Chuck the Bartender
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Mona
- Skip E. Lowe Looks at Hollywood (1989)
- Far from Home (1989) as Agnes Reed
- Big Top Pee-wee (1988) as Midge Montana
- Tapeheads (1988) as Nikki Morton
- The Underachievers (1988) as Mrs. Grant
- The Chipmunk Adventure (1987) as Claudia Furschtien (voice)
- From a Whisper to a Scream (1987) as Beth Chandler
- Poker Alice (1987) as Mad Mary
- If Tomorrow Comes (1986) as Bertha
- The Christmas Star (1986) as Sara
- Thompson's Last Run (1986) as Pookie
- Flesh + Blood (1985) as Celine
- Avenging Angel (1985) as Solly Mosler
- Angel (1984) as Solly Mosler
- Jealousy (1984) as Dixie
- The Hitchhiker (1983) as Doris
- Fire and Ice (1983) as Juliana (voice)
- What's Up, Hideous Sun Demon (1983) as Bunny
- Forbidden Zone (1982) as Queen Doris of the Sixth Dimension
- Liar's Moon (1982) as Lora Mae Bouvier
- Fast-Walking (1982) as Evie
- Open All Night (1981) as Gretchen Feester
- Tales of Ordinary Madness (1981) as Vera
- Subway Riders (1981) as Eleanor Langley
- Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981) as Aunt Cheryl
- Be Pretty and Shut Up! (1981) as Self
- Document of the Dead (1981) as Narrator (voice)
- Midnight Lace (1981) as Ann Galvin
- Racquet (1979) as Miss Baxter
- Flying High (1978)
- Loose Shoes (1978) as Boobies
- Lady of the House (1978) as Helen
- Bad (1977) as Mary Aiken
- Wizards (1977) as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977) as Lee
- Another Man, Another Chance (1977) as Alice
- Islands in the Stream (1977) as Lil
- September 30, 1955 (1977) as Melba Lou
- The Killer Inside Me (1976) as Joyce Lakeland
- Baretta (1975)
- Starsky & Hutch (1975) as Annie / Isabelle Oates
- Zandy's Bride (1974) as Marai Cordova
- To Kill the King (1974) as Maggie Van Birchard
- Catch My Soul (1974) as Emilia
- Kojak (1973) as Mary Torino
- Fat City (1972) as Oma
- Nichols (1971) as Caralee
- Shoot Out (1971) as Alma
- Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me (1971) as Jack
- The Steagle (1971) as Louise
- Mr. Novak (1963) as Phyllis Freuchen
- The Patty Duke Show (1963)
- Bonanza (1959) as Jill Conway
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Susan Tyrrell best known for?
Susan Tyrrell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including HR (2002), Cow and Chicken (1997), Extreme Ghostbusters (1997), The Fisher King (1991).
When and where was Susan Tyrrell born?
Susan Tyrrell was born on March 18, 1945 in San Francisco, California, USA. They passed away on June 16, 2012.
How many credits does Susan Tyrrell have?
Susan Tyrrell has accumulated over 79 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1959 to 2024.
What is Susan Tyrrell's background in cinema and television?
Susan Tyrrell was an American character actress born on March 18, 1945, in San Francisco, California. Her acting career began in theater in New York City in the 1960s, with appearances in Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Her first film was Shoot Out in 1971. Tyrrell received the Saturn Award for Best Supporting A...
Susan Tyrrell by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Mona — aged about 44
- Bonanza (1959) as Jill Conway — aged about 14
- If Tomorrow Comes (1986) as Bertha — aged about 41
- Starsky & Hutch (1975) as Annie / Isabelle Oates — aged about 30
- Mr. Novak (1963) as Phyllis Freuchen — aged about 18
- I Am Weasel (1997) as Madame DeBarge (voice) — aged about 52
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