Susan Flannery (born July 31, 1939) is an American actress and television director whose career has spanned stage, film and daytime drama. She established a national reputation through long-running serial roles and later moved behind the camera as a director and producer. For a concise online reference see her actor profile and a summary of her directing credits.

Early life and beginnings

Flannery was born in Jersey City. She began working professionally in the mid-20th century, appearing in a variety of dramatic roles before becoming better known for television work. Her early career combined stage experience with guest spots on television series of the period.

Major roles and career highlights

She is widely recognized for her work in daytime television. Two of her best-known series appearances are on Days of Our Lives and the long-running soap The Bold and the Beautiful. In the latter she played a central, often-cited matriarchal character that contributed significantly to the show’s identity. A fuller career overview can be found in sources that collect her career milestones.

Awards and recognition

Across decades she has won prominent industry honors. Early recognition included a Golden Globe as a promising new performer, and she earned Daytime Emmy Awards for lead acting in a drama series at different points in her career. These awards highlighted both her longevity and her impact on daytime storytelling.

Later work, direction and public life

In addition to acting, Flannery moved into directing for television and became known for taking creative control on selected projects. She has discussed aspects of her private life publicly and is recognized as an openly lesbian figure in the entertainment industry; see a noted personal interview for reflections on that experience.

Legacy and notable facts

  • Long-running presence in American daytime drama and an example of crossover from acting to directing.
  • Recipient of major television awards and an early Golden Globe for on-screen promise.
  • Public visibility as an LGBT figure helped broaden conversations about representation in television.

For further reading on specific credits, interviews and a complete filmography consult curated reference pages and databases linked in her public profiles and archival material. Many summaries and retrospectives place her among influential performers who helped shape modern daytime television drama.