uzanne Pleshette, best known for her role as Dr. Bob Hartley's
intelligent, independent wife Emily, was born on January 31, 1937. She began her
career in television soon after graduating from college.
Pleshette played supporting roles in many classic series such as Route 66,
The Fugitive, Dr. Kildare (in a role that got her an
Emmy nomination) and Bonanza. Pleshette was often cast as the bad girl or
bad-girl-who-turns-good.
Pleshette's chance to break away from such stereotyping came when the producers
of The Bob Newhart Show began looking for a sharp, outspoken, mature yet
sexy woman to give The Bob Newhart Show a healthy adult TV marriage.
Spotting Pleshette on The Tonight Show, they realized how perfect she was
for the role. The show went on to break new ground by setting many key scenes in
the Hartleys' king-size bed.
Pleshette's naturally saucy persona was a favorite of Johnny Carson throughout the '70s and '80s. She made numerous guest
appearances on the late-night talk show circuit, and was known for her
risqué but always well-received humor. She starred in her own
sitcom, Suzanne Pleshette Is Maggie Briggs, in 1984. And more recently,
she has been featured in television movies.
