Suzan Ball

[COP11]

Date of Birth

3 February 1934, Jamestown, New York, USA

Date of Death

5 August 1955, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA (cancer)

Birth Name

Susan Ball

Nickname

Suzie

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

Suzan Ball, a second cousin of Lucille Ball, was born on March 3, 1934, in Jamestown, New York. She came to Hollywood with her family in 1941. She sang with the Mel Baker Orchestra from 1948-1953. Her first part in Hollywood was as a harem girl in Aladdin and His Lamp (1952) at Monogram. She got an interview with the talent department of Universal-International and signed a contract. In 1952 she was proclaimed "The New Cinderella Girl of 1952". She had a fleeting romance with Scott Brady, who she met on the set of Untamed Frontier (1952), and they planned to marry. She then filmed City Beneath the Sea (1953) and fell for Anthony Quinn, who was still married. Their romance lasted only a year because Quinn was still in love with his wife, Katherine DeMille. Suzan was proclaimed one of the most important "New Stars of 1953" by Hedda Hopper. On her next film, East of Sumatra (1953), she suffered an injury to her right leg during a dance number. Later in 1953, while filming War Arrow (1953), she was told by doctors that her leg had developed tumors. Later that year at home, she slipped on some spilled water and broke her leg. She was rushed to the hospital and operated on to remove the tumors. The operation was not a success and she was told that amputation of her right leg would be necessary. In December of 1953, she became engaged to Richard Long. On January 12, 1954, her leg was amputated. On April 4th, 1954, she was married to Long in Santa Barbara wearing an artificial limb. Some guests in attendance at her wedding were Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, David Janssen and Jeff Chandler. In May 1955 she embarked on a nightclub tour. In July, while rehearsing a scene for an episode of "Climax!" (1954), she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors found that the cancer had spread to her lungs. On August 5th, 1955, Suzan died of cancer, only six months after her 21st birthday. She fought her battle with cancer for 16 months and lost. She was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetary. Her husband Richard was always praised for his love and devotion to Suzan during her long illness.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Suzan E.

Spouse

Richard Long (4 April 1954 - 5 August 1955) (her death)

Trivia

Was said to be in love with actor Anthony Quinn and muttered "Tony" in a reference to him just before she died.

Second-cousin of actress Lucille Ball.

While seeking medical help for an injured knee, doctors discovered tumors on her leg that would eventually spread and kill her.

Sister-in-law of Barbara Long and Marshall Thompson.

Born in Jamestown, New York, she was the daughter of Howard Dale and Molly Ball. The family briefly lived in Miami before settling for a time in Buffalo, New York, where Susan attended Washington and Kenmore Junior High Schools.

Was a direct descendant of Mayflower's John Alden, who is said to have been the first person to set foot on Plymouth Rock in 1620.

Moving to Hollywood, California during her high school years, she attended North Hollywood High. She loved to sing and was the president of her school's chorus group and also sang in several of the school's operettas.

Once was a vocalist for Mel Baker's Orchestra.

Changed her first name from "Susan" to the more exotic-sounding "Suzan" once she began acting in films in 1952.

Was "discovered" by actress Mary Castle who helped her secure an interview for her over at Universal Studios. She was signed by the studio in October of 1951.

Married actor Richard Long at a Santa Barbara, California church on April 11, 1954, following her leg amputation due to cancer. She walked down the aisle using an artificial limb. In attendance were Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush, Jeff Chandler, Hugh O'Brien', Mala Powers, David Janssen, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh.

The only time she appeared with husband Richard Long was on TV for the "Lux Video Theatre". She played an accident victim confined to a wheelchair. The couple also toured in a nightclub act.

Made only one movie after her leg amputation, Chief Crazy Horse (1955) in which she played Black Shawl, the wife of the title Indian chief. A double was used for her scenes that required walking. In close-ups, she would move her shoulders so it appeared that she was walking.

Personal Quotes

I felt no pity for myself, nor have I any feeling of regret. Sometimes I pondered, 'Why has this thing happened to me?' But it was never in terms of a complaint, I sought a real answer. It is not an easy one to find, and perhaps I will never know. - SB, speaking of her cancer and leg amputation

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[puma]

Nice those actresses from the very old days. She's a pretty woman!!!