Suzanne Pleshette achieved television immortality in her role as 'Bob Newhart' , where she showed herself to be a first-rate raconteuse. Because she could hold her own with Newhart's friend Carson, they thought she would be a perfect foil as Newhart's TV wife. She accepted the part, and TV history was made.
Cousin of John Pleshette.
Announced her engagement to Tom Poston , 79, in December 2000. Each had co-starred on a Bob Newhart show, but different versions--she was in "The Bob Newhart Show" , he was in "Newhart" . However, Poston appeared in a recurring role on the 70s version as Bob Hartleys old friend Cliff "The Peeper" Murdock. Pleshette also appeared on the 80s version finale that is one of the best series finales of all time--a segue between the two shows.
Was the producers original choice for the role of Catwoman on the "Batman" TV show. When negotiations broke down, the part went to Julie Newmar , who made it her own.
Stepmother of Francesca Poston and Jason Poston.
She was the childhood friend of Faye Michael Nuell (aka Faye Mayo) and Kari Champion (widow of Gower Champion ).
(August 2006) Underwent chemotherapy treatment at Los Angeles Cedar-Sinai Medical Center for lung cancer.
Met her future husband, Tom Poston , when they appeared together in the 1959 Broadway comedy "The Golden Fleecing". However, they didnt marry for more than 40 years.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, posthumously, on her birthday, January 31, 2008.
Is buried in a family plot at Hillside Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California; between her two late husbands, Tom Gallagher and Tom Poston.
Daughter of Geraldine Kaplan (1918-1987) and Eugene Pleshette (1914-1991).
Both she and Veronica Cartwright appeared together in Alfred Hitchcock s The Birds , as well as on episodes of "Will & Grace" . Each played mothers. Pleshette playing Karen Walkers mom and Cartwright playing Jacks mom.
Started out in theater before moving onto film.
One time, while on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" , she told the story of her near involvement with the movie Palm Springs Weekend . 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 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.
Gave the eulogy at David Janssen s funeral (Feb. 17, 1980).
Passed away less than one year after the death of her husband, Tom Poston.
Turned down the role of Lil Mainwaring in Marnie .
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.
Quit smoking in the late 90s.
Turned down "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The New Dick Van Dyke Show" .
