Susan Flannery as Stephanie Forrester

[Cece]

Information on Susan Flannery



Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning motion picture and television star and DGA nominee Susan Flannery portrays Stephanie Forrester, the strong-willed, manipulative, but fiercely protective matriarch of the Forrester fashion dynasty on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. She has played this role since the premiere of B&B, and won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2000, 2002 and 2003. She was nominated in the same category in 2001, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011.

Born and raised in New York, Susan received her BFA in Theater at Stevens College in Missouri and attended graduate school at Arizona State before arriving in Hollywood. Discovered by producer Irwin Allen, Susan made her television debut in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and shortly thereafter was offered the role of Dr. Laura Horton on Days of Our Lives, a role which won her an Emmy award during her eight year stint.

Susan was cast as Robert Wagner's secretary and lover in Allen's epic disaster film The Towering Inferno. Her performance won her a Golden Globe Award for "Outstanding Acting Debut in a Motion Picture."

Susan also received an Emmy nomination for her starring role in the NBC mini-series The Moneychangers, opposite Kirk Douglas, and appeared in the television movies Women in White and Anatomy of a Seduction. In 1981, she did a 10-week stint as a devious, high-powered public relations consultant in conflict with J.R. Ewing on Dallas.

Off-screen, Susan produced the cable soap opera New Day in Eden with Michael Jaffe. She has also directed online soap opera "Venice". She is a licensed pilot and a gourmet cook. In addition, she serves as a regular director on B&B, and in 1995 was nominated for a Directors Guild Award.

She lives in Santa Barbara with her dogs. She has a daughter, Blaise, living in Australia with her boyfriend. Susan celebrates her birthday July 31.

[Cece]

Click image for original size

[DivaStephanie]

Thanks Cece Hugs

[Cece]

Posted by Anna:

FROM THE ITALIAN MAGAZINE “GENTE MESE” – FEBRUARY 1991
This magazine i bought was a special issue totally dedicated to BB.
There are many pics and it contains an interview to C. Norcross who talks abt BB and the life off-screen.
He talks abt SUSAN FLANNERY as well…and these are the parts I’m abt to translate here.
ENJOY!!

“…Since I became famous bc of BB I thought I could use my fame to talk abt the things I believe in. Also on the set I became a sort of preacher and I convinced Ronn Moss and Susan Flannery to become almost vegetarian. Since then they only eat organic and natural food, cultivated with no additives and fertilizers. They also became members of environment associations and made with me some commercials pro WWF… “
[SUSAN FLANNERY VEGETARIAN??? ]

******************************************

“…Ridge and Thorne’s rivalry was reflected also off screen between Ronn and me (Clayton). We were jealous of one another. Susan Flannery noticed this behavior. This nice blonde lady represented for all of us young actors a very gentle older sister. When things on the set delayed bc of some difficult scene (like fashion shows, parties and so on), she was always there, with a smile on her face and ready to support us.
She was a very sincere woman. She never got married. She was used to say that she had never met her soul mate and this love-emptiness grew during the wknds and she was forced to stay alone. Among the actors, maybe Susan was the only one who was happy for Mondays to arrive. She poured her love on us, almost if we were her only family. That’s why she loved me and Ronn as if we were her natural children and she had a huge influence on both of us.
So, with great patience, this wonderful woman, tried with all means to create a bond between Ronn and me and she could make us become friends.
I remember very well the day when Susan invited us for lunch. Susan said: “ stop behaving like two spoiled stars and to ignore each other. You are still 2 guys and u still have to learn a lot. It’s unacceptable that ur relation is limited to a “good morning” and “good evening”. Don’t u agree? “ . Then she smiled and calmly she said: “this is and will be my only unique and last telling-off, but u’ll have to promise u’ll become friends” “ .

******************************************

“ I still remember Teri Ann Linn’s (Kristen) happiness when she organized a small party. She brought 2 bottles of champagne, while Susan brought a cake she had made with her hands. During the party Teri announced her engagement with R. Hume”.

[annaitaly]

THE SUSAN FLANNERY INTERVIEW - DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE


The Bold and the Beautiful celebrated on their set at CBS this morning with a small get together of colleagues, nominees and performers. Brad Bell presided over the proceedings in honor of the show’s six nominations. Particularly satisfying was the recognition of the only half hour soap into the final three for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series. The cast, some of the crew and producers shared cake and congratulated each other on the big announcements.

Susan Flannery received another nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress category and was present at the event. I caught up with her to get her immediate feedback on this memorable day and the Emmy process.

Does it feel any different this time getting an acting nomination in the Lead Actress category for the one-hundredth time? You have won four times previously!

SUSAN:

I don’t know about the hundredth time, but if you live long enough it comes back around. It’s great fun and I am delighted

What did you submit this year?

SUSAN:

It was when Eric was supposedly dead in the bed in the house. And, it’s like a miracle that he comes back to life. There is a little monologue in there, and that was the only thing I had, really.

Did you feel good about your chances with it to make it to the finals in your category?

SUSAN:

The show aired and John McCook (Eric) came running into me saying, “I just got a call from a friend of mine, who I had not heard from in awhile, who teaches drama, who every now and then watches “B&B”. She said, “What is that monologue that Susan Flannery did today? I want to get a copy of it to use for my acting class.” John said, “Oh, you probably won’t be able to get a copy because she re-wrote the whole thing!” (She laughs) But it sort of stuck in my head, and when Casey our associate producer was coming up with ideas to submit, he said, “What about the one with the monologue?” and I said, “OK. Just put it in”. That was my shot!

Did you speak yet with the other actress in your category?

SUSAN:

I just got off the phone with Jeanne Cooper (Katherine, “Y&R”) who was at the airport. I left a message for Susan Haskell (Marty, “OLTL”), and I left a message for Maura West (Carly. “ATWT”), but I have not a chance to get a hold of Debbi Morgan (Angie, “AMC”) yet.

What do you think of the group that made into the final five in your category?

SUSAN:

I am very happy to see three fresh faces. I said to Jeanne, “We could have said, “No, you know, and let two more of them in.” It’s so nice to see that. That it is not a constant rotation and sometimes that is what happens. I think that is the result of certain people getting in an arc in their career, with three of four nominations in a row and then it goes. I am thrilled for Jeanne, and I was so surprised at her 80th birthday that I had no idea that Jeanne had never won till last year. I was just stunned! I always thought she had a few more. I was thrilled for her again this year.

Are you happy about the other nominations for “B&B”? The show got six nods!

SUSAN:

I am very happy for our nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing. And, I said to Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer), “You are not going to retire if you win! Because I know that is what he wants to do. As soon as he wins Best Writing its over! (She laughs) But I am thrilled for him. I was surprised to see that it was three shows that made the final Outstanding Drama Series category. I guess that is because of the way they counted so many votes. We had a big committee meeting on this. I was suggesting to them over and over, that it should be one show submission per actor. People are not going to sit at home when you have 22 actors to watch. We should be allowed to edit the show down, so we can compact it, and you can see the performance together. So, if an actor is sitting in the courtroom, but he is just a shot to the audience, you should not have to watch that. We were able to push all of that together. I think that helps, as well as, going back to number one, number two, number three…and ranking them in the judging process. I think with Outstanding Dramas Series, they probably had so many number one votes on those three shows that the other ones fell below a range. That’s just my guess.

Do you like that there is no second round of voting this year for the final nominees, and that the winner is already known based on the one tape submission?

SUSAN:

The only way a second round works now is if you can have people come in and sit and vote in a hotel or a room like we used to. But people don’t want to do that any more. They don’t want to give up their Saturdays. We are in a fast paced society now, and we are lucky we got so many people to come out and vote for the president. I am thrilled to be here again. I know Jeanne is, and I am thrilled for Susan, Maura and Debbi. I am also happy for Christian LeBlanc (Michael, “Y&R) and it was nice to see Peter Reckell (Bo, “DAYS”) get one. Ed Scott (Ex-executive producer) was over there for part of the year. I have a feeling Ed Scott may have had something to do with his performance that time.

How do you feel that once again your on-screen acting partner, the amazing Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), failed to get nominated alongside you?

SUSAN:

That was my first question today, “Where’s Kelly?” and I say that every year. I don’t know what it is or why it is. It’s just one of those things in life. I have scenes with her today, so I will see her then.

Do you think the Daytime Emmys are important, and today is important to celebrate the achievement of your colleagues?

SUSAN:

I am happy for every show and it’s a small community. We specialize in a genre in and of itself. So, whoever gets a nomination, I am particularly thrilled for.

What did you think when you found out that none of the three major networks that are carrying soap operas, decided not to be home to the Emmy broadcast this year? Instead it went to the CW.

SUSAN:

I am not surprised only because of the ratings, and everything is changing. I am delighted the CW is taking it, which I think is part of the CBS family. I am glad that Les Moonves (President and CEO of CBS) supported it to go to the CW.

What is the best part of being an official “Daytime Emmy Nominee”?

SUSAN:

As you know, we started a tradition that every year we have lunch with the ladies. Last year’s winner picks up the tab and all of us go to lunch together to celebrate as a group. Of course, winning is a good part, but I say this to everyone of us, “Today is the best day, and right up until they say your name in the envelope, and who the winner is, you are all winners,” and that’s the nicest time.

[Ann]

The show aired and John McCook (Eric) came running into me saying, “I just got a call from a friend of mine, who I had not heard from in awhile, who teaches drama, who every now and then watches “B&B”. She said, “What is that monologue that Susan Flannery did today? I want to get a copy of it to use for my acting class.” John said, “Oh, you probably won’t be able to get a copy because she re-wrote the whole thing!” (She laughs)

:Phe run into her :Phe takes every chance to be near her John you naughty boy

thanks Anna

[helenina79]

May 18, 2009 16:12:37 GMT Ann said:

The show aired and John McCook (Eric) came running into me saying, “I just got a call from a friend of mine, who I had not heard from in awhile, who teaches drama, who every now and then watches “B&B”. She said, “What is that monologue that Susan Flannery did today? I want to get a copy of it to use for my acting class.” John said, “Oh, you probably won’t be able to get a copy because she re-wrote the whole thing!” (She laughs)

:Phe run into her :Phe takes every chance to be near her John you naughty boy

thanks Anna

;D ;D ;D he sure does


you see, Anna? american teachers can do it, why can italian ones only find Brooke as example to give in class ;D ;D ;D

thanks for posting, cara!

[Cece]

Thanks for posting!!

The show aired and John McCook (Eric) came running into me saying, “I just got a call from a friend of mine, who I had not heard from in awhile, who teaches drama, who every now and then watches “B&B”. She said, “What is that monologue that Susan Flannery did today? I want to get a copy of it to use for my acting class.” John said, “Oh, you probably won’t be able to get a copy because she re-wrote the whole thing!” (She laughs) But it sort of stuck in my head, and when Casey our associate producer was coming up with ideas to submit, he said, “What about the one with the monologue?” and I said, “OK. Just put it in”. That was my shot!

I find that funny. A teacher want a copy of the monologue but can't get one because SF re-wrote the script.

Maybe that's why she is so brilliant at what she does? She gets her material, makes it hers and do it her way. Maybe that's why it never seems like she reads a script but actually says what is on her mind? It's her words, her way of speaking. Making it her own. Me like.

[annaitaly]

May 18, 2009 16:12:37 GMT Ann said:

The show aired and John McCook (Eric) came running into me saying, “I just got a call from a friend of mine, who I had not heard from in awhile, who teaches drama, who every now and then watches “B&B”. She said, “What is that monologue that Susan Flannery did today? I want to get a copy of it to use for my acting class.” John said, “Oh, you probably won’t be able to get a copy because she re-wrote the whole thing!” (She laughs)

:Phe run into her :Phe takes every chance to be near her John you naughty boy

thanks Anna

Any excuse is good for him to meet susan ;D

[annaitaly]

you see, Anna? american teachers can do it, why can italian ones only find Brooke as example to give in class ;D ;D ;D

thanks for posting, cara!

Easy... bc that teacher was a MAN! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
If i was a teacher i would for sure take steph as an example!
The next time i'll have to teach Economics or Law or Accountancy i'll take Steph's as an example of perfect BUSINESS WOMAN! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[annaitaly]

May 18, 2009 18:06:39 GMT Cece said:

Thanks for posting!!

The show aired and John McCook (Eric) came running into me saying, “I just got a call from a friend of mine, who I had not heard from in awhile, who teaches drama, who every now and then watches “B&B”. She said, “What is that monologue that Susan Flannery did today? I want to get a copy of it to use for my acting class.” John said, “Oh, you probably won’t be able to get a copy because she re-wrote the whole thing!” (She laughs) But it sort of stuck in my head, and when Casey our associate producer was coming up with ideas to submit, he said, “What about the one with the monologue?” and I said, “OK. Just put it in”. That was my shot!

I find that funny. A teacher want a copy of the monologue but can't get one because SF re-wrote the script.

Maybe that's why she is so brilliant at what she does? She gets her material, makes it hers and do it her way. Maybe that's why it never seems like she reads a script but actually says what is on her mind? It's her words, her way of speaking. Making it her own. Me like.

While reading that hit me!
I wasnt even sure that i understood it well: that she had taken the script and she rewrote it like she liked it best ;D
But i also wondered: WASNT IT SUSAN WHO SAID THAT SHE NEVER INTERFERES WITH STORIES AND WITH WHAT THE WRITERS WRITE? ;D

[Ann]

WASNT IT SUSAN WHO SAID THAT SHE NEVER INTERFERES WITH STORIES AND WITH WHAT THE WRITERS WRITE?

yes,she said that ;D ;D and if I remember correctly it was in an interview that I have seen ;D ;D ;D

[4eversusanfan]

thx for posting

hugs a millions

[annaitaly]

May 18, 2009 20:21:26 GMT Ann said:

WASNT IT SUSAN WHO SAID THAT SHE NEVER INTERFERES WITH STORIES AND WITH WHAT THE WRITERS WRITE?

yes,she said that ;D ;D and if I remember correctly it was in an interview that I have seen ;D ;D ;D

good...so i didnt dream abt it ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Cece]

May 18, 2009 20:11:24 GMT annaitaly said:

May 18, 2009 18:06:39 GMT Cece said:

Thanks for posting!!



I find that funny. A teacher want a copy of the monologue but can't get one because SF re-wrote the script.

Maybe that's why she is so brilliant at what she does? She gets her material, makes it hers and do it her way. Maybe that's why it never seems like she reads a script but actually says what is on her mind? It's her words, her way of speaking. Making it her own. Me like.

While reading that hit me!
I wasnt even sure that i understood it well: that she had taken the script and she rewrote it like she liked it best ;D
But i also wondered: WASNT IT SUSAN WHO SAID THAT SHE NEVER INTERFERES WITH STORIES AND WITH WHAT THE WRITERS WRITE? ;D

Yes, when it comes to storylines. She never goes to the writers with suggestions on storylines she wants to have etc. However, she can re-write lines to make the words better suited for her character/performance. She does that sometimes. She doesn't want a say in storylines but likes to improve the scenes she gets by changing a couple of words here and there.

That's a reason why she's a liked director. She works from the actors point of view and relates to the actors skills to improve scenes.

I.e. her co-worker likes that about her and steps up to the plate when they have scenes with her.

[annaitaly]

Thanks for ur perfect explanation ceci!!
Now everything has a sense!!

[Cece]

Same interview here, but with pictures. 2 of Stic and 1 of Bells with Heather Tom.

michaelfairmansoaps.com/article/articleItem.cfm?cms_article_id=93

[helenina79]

thanks Cece

[4eversusanfan]

(quote) Maybe that's why she is so brilliant at what she does? She gets her material, makes it hers and do it her way. Maybe that's why it never seems like she reads a script but actually says what is on her mind? It's her words, her way of speaking. Making it her own. Me like.
(quote)


Oh she is amazing!!
exactly my point to Anna !! !!

hugs

[Ann]

Thanks Cece

michaelfairmansoaps.com/article/articleItem.cfm?cms_article_id=93

what a wonderful John and Susan pic at the bottom :-*they look great and together they look even GREATER

and I swear to you girls ......THIS is the REAL ERIC a bit of chicken cut but still THE REAL ERIC just look how he is almost all over Susan as usual ;D ;D ;D ahhhh they are so beautiful

[Cece]

CBS.com interview with Susan for Emmy nomination.
www.cbs.com/daytime/the_bold_and_the_beautiful/interviews/interviews.php?sec=6

[A.]

thanks!!!

Now some people would think that the washing the feet is corny but I saw a way to make it really touching. I think couples would do that for each other, what Stephanie and Eric have gone through there is still that love there and it just made sense to me. It was really touching I thought. What’s even funnier is the episode that I submitted I never even watched it when it aired.

How very nice Corny ;D Noooo ;D ;D Susan is a STICgirl..we knew it!
So she usually watches all the epis she is in when they air?? Maybe she has a best of STIC archive as well ;D ;D A new way to get the FLS in English ;D

[4eversusanfan]

THANKS a million ladies

hugs

[judithshappy]

Read this!

www.canyon-news.com/artman2/publish/On_the_Industry_1168/Spotlight_on_Susan_Flannery.php

This must be a pic from the 2009 cast photoshoot. I lOVE it! Does anybody have those pics?

[Cece]

[Cece]

From Variety Magazine Online..........

Nomination method changes for soap actors
Daytime Emmys employ more wide-open process
By Michael Maloney

Actors who take home Daytime Emmys later this year will truly mean it when they thank their peers for their votes.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, in response to the wishes of the daytime community, altered the nomination method that had been used for the past several years. The previous procedure included a pre-nomination process in which each soap opera selected two (occasionally three) actors for each performing category. Then, those performers would submit a reel of their work to determine who the final nominees (and winners) would be.

But for the 37th annual Daytime Emmys, any actor who wanted to throw his or her hat in the ring could do so -- leading to a first round of 89 "pre-nominees" in 2010. This has made the process more equitable -- in theory.

"We know very few people in this business (who) look at the other work being done in it," says TV Guide soap columnist Michael Logan. "When casting their votes, (actors) are just as likely to vote for someone that they hung out with on a soap cruise as they are to vote for someone whose work they're really impressed with."

Peter Bergman, a three-time lead actor Daytime Emmy winner for his role on "The Young and the Restless," approves of this year's change in the voting process, contending that the previous one prevented many deserving actors from even getting in the race.

"I think (NATAS and the community) are trying to inch away from (the previous) system, and this year is the first step towards that end," Bergman says.

Axed sudser "Guiding Light" (which ended in September) was eligible to receive nominations, but is not represented in key categories because actors did not propose themselves. Crystal Chappell, who played Olivia on "Light," had to fill out her own paperwork to score a lead actress pre-nomination, since the show's production company no longer exists.

"I am surprised we don't have more pre-noms," says Chappell. "Last summer was a hard time closing the show, and maybe the Emmys were not on people's minds, but they are obviously a talented group."

Four-time Emmy-winner Susan Flannery ("The Bold and the Beautiful") has a solution to make voters become more informed.

"Why couldn't each show put on its website a one-minute clip of actors' work throughout the year?" she asks. "It would make people more familiar with who's out there."

The absence of such a time-saving system today has Flannery, and perhaps other actors, erring on the side of casting no vote rather than an uninformed one.

"I couldn't vote this year for any of the younger leading actor or actress (candidates)," Flannery says. "I didn't know enough of them and I didn't think it would be fair to vote for anyone."

[Cece]

[sfisgr8]

Article about Susan leaving - with a new beautiful photo of her

www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2012/11/26/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-says-goodbye-to-susan-flannery/