- Announced her engagement to Tom Poston in December 2000. Each had co-starred on a Bob Newhart show, but different versions--she was in The Bob Newhart Show (1972), he was in Newhart (1982). However, Poston appeared in a recurring role on the 1970s version as Bob Hartley's old friend Cliff "The Peeper" Murdock. Pleshette also appeared on the 1980s version finale that is one of the best series finales of all time--a segue between the two sitcoms.
- During the filming of her guest spot on The Fugitive (1963), Suzanne fell fiercely in love with the show's star David Janssen, who was having marital problems with his then wife, Ellie. They ended up having a three-month affair, but Suzanne broke it off when Janssen delayed filing for divorce.
- She was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6715 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on January 31, 2008 (her 71st birthday). Ceremony attendees included Dick Van Dyke, Bob Newhart, Marcia Wallace, Nancy Sinatra and Tina Sinatra, who accepted the honor on Suzanne's behalf.
- Following her death, she was interred in a family plot at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California; between her two late husbands, Tom Gallagher and Tom Poston.
- Was the producers' original choice for the role of Catwoman on the Batman (1966) television series. When negotiations broke down, the role went to Julie Newmar, who made this her own.
- Passed away less than one year after the death of her husband, Tom Poston.
- Met her future husband, Tom Poston, when they appeared together in the Broadway comedy "The Golden Fleecing" (1959). However, they didn't marry for more than 40 years.
- Gave the eulogy at David Janssen's funeral on February 17, 1980.
- One time, while on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), she told the story of her near involvement with the movie Palm Springs Weekend (1963). At the time she was a contract performer at Warner Brothers and was cast in the movie. She adamantly refused to do it, fearing that it might hurt her career (a studio executive, annoyed by her attitude, told her that the sign outside read "Warner Brothers" not "Pleshette Brothers"!) She eventually got her way (and was forced to appear in Wall of Noise (1963) instead) and the role went to Stefanie Powers. She jokingly said that Powers was so upset that she had to take her place in the movie that she refused to speak to her for years afterward.
- Both she and husband Tom Poston died of the same cause, respiratory failure.
- Went against the advice of her agents by accepting television offers when she was a burgeoning movie star. By the early 1980s, her career had devolved exclusively to television.
- Underwent chemotherapy treatment at Los Angeles' Cedar-Sinai Medical Center for lung cancer. (August 2006)
- Started out in theater before moving onto film.
- First and only female non-singing, non-comic guest host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962).
- Her parents married two weeks after they met.
- Turned down The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) and The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971).
- Favorite cigarette brand was Pall Mall; reputedly smoked two packs a day for about 40 years. She quit after a 1998 cancer scare.
- Was considered for the role of Jennifer Hart on Hart to Hart (1979) that went to Stefanie Powers.
- She and Anne Bancroft started trying to get pregnant at the same time. Anne eventually had Max Brooks but Suzanne, despite being six years younger, was unable to carry a child to term.
- Was originally announced for the lead in Sex and the Single Girl (1964), which later went to Natalie Wood. Pleshette had previously replaced Wood in Rome Adventure (1962) after Wood dropped out of that film.
- Both she and Veronica Cartwright appeared together in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963), as well as on episodes of Will & Grace (1998). Each played mothers. Pleshette playing Karen Walker's mom and Cartwright playing Jack's mom.
- Born to Geraldine (née Kaplan; 1913-1987), a dancer and artist who gave up work upon marrying, and Gene Pleshette, manager of the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn. She was an only child.
- Designed linens for J.P. Stevens & Co. from 1969 to 1980.
- Auditioned for Faye Dunaway's role in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) and Jacqueline Bisset's role in The Detective (1968).
- Turned down the role of Lil Mainwaring in Marnie (1964) that went to Diane Baker.
- Cousin of John Pleshette.
- Stepmother of Francesca Poston and Jason Poston.
- She was childhood friends with Faye Michael Nuell (aka Faye Mayo) and Karla Champion (widow of Gower Champion).
- Very good friends with Madlyn Rhue.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content