Jacqueline Susann
American novelist and actress, author of Valley of the Dolls.
Jacqueline Susann (August 20, 1918 – September 21, 1974) was an American novelist and actress. Her 1966 novel *Valley of the Dolls* ranks among the best-selling books in publishing history. She followed it with *The Love Machine* (1969) and *Once Is Not Enough* (1973), making her the first writer to land three consecutive novels atop *The New York Times* Best Seller list.
Born Jacqueline Susan at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, she was the only child of Robert Susan, a portrait painter from Vilnius, Lithuania (then part of Imperial Russia), and Rose Jans, a public school teacher. Rose added a second "n" to the family name so her students could pronounce it more easily, though Robert kept the original spelling. Because the name was never legally changed, census records and his Social Security file list her as Jacqueline Susan, but she used her mother's version. Teachers described her as an inattentive but imaginative student; in fifth grade she scored 140 on an IQ test, the highest in her school. Devoted to her father, she was determined to carry on the family name and chose acting over writing, despite a teacher's advice that she should write because "she breaks all the rules, but it works." After graduating from West Philadelphia High School in 1936, she moved to New York. Her father told her, "If you're going to be an actress, be a good actress. Be a people watcher."
On June 2, 1937, at age 18, she landed a small role in the Broadway production of Clare Boothe's *The Women*, which had opened the previous December and ran for 657 performances. She went on to appear in *The Girl from Wyoming* (1938), *My Fair Ladies* (1941), a revival of *Blossom Time* (1943), *Jackpot* (1944), and *A Lady Says Yes* (1945), which starred Carole Landis. Only one of her post-*Women* shows, *Banjo Eyes* (1941) with Eddie Cantor, was a hit, running 126 performances. With actress Beatrice Cole, she co-wrote a comedy called *The Temporary Mrs. Smith*, about a former movie actress whose ex-husbands interfere with her plan to marry a wealthy man. Retitled *Lovely Me*, it opened on Broadway at the Adelphi Theatre on December 25, 1946, directed by Jessie Royce Landis and starring Luba Malina and Mischa Auer. Though called an "audience-pleaser," it closed after 37 performances.
- Born
- August 20, 1918, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
- Died
- September 21, 1974
- Field
- Novelist, actress
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Valley of the Dolls, first author with three consecutive #1 New York Times bestsellers
Lore & Background
Susann's first book, *Every Night, Josephine!* (1963), about her poodle, sold well and was her favorite of her own works. Her breakthrough came with *Valley of the Dolls* (1966), which reached #1 on *The New York Times* Best Seller list and became the best-selling novel in publishing history by the time of her death, with over 17 million copies sold. Despite largely negative reviews, the book was a commercial juggernaut. It was adapted into a 1967 film that Susann hated, calling it 'a piece of shit.' She died on September 21, 1974.
Reader's Guide
Jacqueline Susann's significance lies in her unprecedented commercial success as a novelist. *Valley of the Dolls* became a cultural phenomenon, entering the *Guinness Book of World Records* as the best-selling novel in publishing history, with more than 31 million copies sold by 2016. She was the first author to have three consecutive novels top *The New York Times* Best Seller list. Her work, though often panned by critics, resonated with a wide audience and addressed themes of fame, addiction, and female ambition. Her legacy includes a continuation of *Valley of the Dolls* published in 2001 based on her notes. Susann's career also spanned acting, playwriting, and television, but her novels remain her most enduring contribution.
Did You Know?
- Susann scored 140 on an IQ test in the fifth grade, the highest in her school.
- She coined the euphemism 'dolls' for amphetamines and barbiturates in *Valley of the Dolls*.
- Her poodle Josephine accompanied her on her first book tour, often wearing matching outfits.
- Susann made a cameo appearance as a reporter in the 1967 film adaptation of *Valley of the Dolls*.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jacqueline Susann?
Jacqueline Susann was an American novelist and actress born in 1918 in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, best remembered for her 1966 blockbuster Valley of the Dolls. Before becoming a full-time writer, she had a career performing in films and on television.
What made Valley of the Dolls a cultural phenomenon?
Published in 1966, the novel follows four women working in the entertainment world and went on to become one of the best-selling books in publishing history. Its raw look at Hollywood and Broadway life struck a chord with readers worldwide, selling tens of millions of copies.
What is Jacqueline Susann's bestseller record?
She became the first author ever to hold the number-one spot on The New York Times Best Seller list with three consecutive novels. The streak was Valley of the Dolls (1966), The Love Machine (1969), and Once Is Not Enough (1973).
What was Jacqueline Susann's family background?
Born Jacqueline Susan on August 20, 1918, at Lankenau Medical Center, she was the only child of Robert Susan, a portrait painter originally from Vilnius, Lithuania, and Rose Jans, a public school teacher. Her Lithuanian heritage and Pennsylvania upbringing shaped the early years that later fed into her storytelling.
When did Jacqueline Susann die and how old was she?
She passed away on September 21, 1974, at the age of 56. Her death came just over a year after the release of her final novel, Once Is Not Enough, ending a relatively brief but extraordinarily prolific literary career.
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