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Susan Tyrrell
Susan Tyrrell
Susan Tyrrell
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Susan Tyrrell (born Susan Jillian Creamer; March 18, 1945 – June 16, 2012) was an American character actress. Tyrrell's career began in theater in New York City in the 1960s in Broadway and off Broadway productions. Her first film was Shoot Out (1971). She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Oma in John Huston's Fat City (1972). In 1978, Tyrrell received the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Andy Warhol's Bad (1977). Her New York Times obituary described her as "a whiskey-voiced character actress (with) talent for playing the downtrodden, outré, and grotesque."[1]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Tyrrell was born in San Francisco, California, to a British mother, Gillian (née Tyrrell; 1913–2012),[2] and an American father, John Belding Creamer. Her mother was a socialite and member of the diplomatic corps in China and the Philippines during the 1930s and 1940s. Her father John was an agent with the William Morris Agency who represented Leo Carrillo, Loretta Young, Ed Wynn, and Carole Lombard.[citation needed]

Tyrrell spent her childhood in New Canaan, Connecticut. She was a poor student and as a teenager became estranged from her mother.[3] Through her father's connections, Tyrrell was employed in the theatrical production of Time Out for Ginger (1963) starring Art Carney in New York City.[4][5] Her father also persuaded Look magazine to follow her as she toured with the show, but he died shortly afterwards.[3]

Career

[edit]

Tyrrell made her Broadway debut in 1965 as a replacement performer in the comedy Cactus Flower.[3] In 1968, as a member of the Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center, she was in the cast of King Lear and revivals of The Time of Your Life (1969) and Camino Real (1970). Off-Broadway, Tyrrell appeared in the 1967 premiere of Lanford Wilson's The Rimers of Eldritch and a 1979 production of Father's Day (play) at The American Place Theatre.[3]

Tyrrell's television debut was in Mr. Novak (1964) and her film debut was in Shoot Out (1971). Tyrrell was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Oma in John Huston's Fat City (1972). In 1976, she played a psychotic character in I Never Promised You A Rose Garden. In 1978, she won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Bad.[citation needed]

Later, Tyrrell starred as Queen Doris in the indie Forbidden Zone (1980). She sang the film's song, "Witch's Egg". A year later, she portrayed Vera in Tales of Ordinary Madness (1981). From 1981 to 1982, Tyrrell starred as Gretchen Feester, in the ABC's short-lived situation comedy series Open All Night. She then had a starring role in the exploitation horror film Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981).

In 1983, Tyrrell played Solly in the sexploitation film Angel and its 1984 sequel, Avenging Angel. Then followed roles in the adventure film Flesh+Blood, the Vincent Price anthology horror film From a Whisper to a Scream (1987), the animated feature film The Chipmunk Adventure (1987), and Big Top Pee-wee (the 1988 sequel to 1985's Pee-wee's Big Adventure). Tyrrell took a supporting role in John Waters' Cry-Baby (1990).

In 1992, she guest starred on an episode of Wings "Marriage Italian Style" and she performed her own one-woman show, Susan Tyrrell: My Rotten Life, a Bitter Operetta.[3] In the late 1990s, Tyrrell had roles in the Tales from the Crypt episode "Comes the Dawn" (1995), the animated series Extreme Ghostbusters (1997), and the psychological thriller film Buddy Boy (1999).

In the 2000s, Tyrrell appeared in Bob Dylan's Masked and Anonymous (2003) and The Devil's Due at Midnight (2004). Her final appearance was in the 2012 independent film Kid-Thing.

Personal life

[edit]

Tyrrell moved to New York City in the early 1960s to focus on theater work, for the first time meeting and socializing with openly LGBT people. The artistic crowd of "New York freaks" she associated with included "Andy Warhol people", among them Candy Darling, with whom Tyrrell had a relationship and shared an apartment.[6]

In the mid-1970s, Tyrrell had a two-year relationship with actor Hervé Villechaize and shared a home with him in the Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles.[7]

Tyrrell had two brief marriages[8] and no children. In 1981 she told an interviewer that she had decided on tubal ligation surgery, "to ensure that no actors come out of me."[9]

Tyrrell suffered from essential thrombocytosis, a disease of the blood. In early 2000, her disease necessitated bilateral below-knee amputations.[6] That year, Johnny Depp hosted a benefit at the Viper Room to help defray Tyrrell's medical bills. Megan Mullally, Jack Black, and Chloe Webb attended.[citation needed]

In 2008, Tyrrell moved to Austin, Texas, to be closer to her niece. In January 2012, Tyrrell wrote in her journal, "I demand my death be joyful and I never return again." She died on June 16, 2012, in Austin. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered.[10][11]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1971 The Steagle Louise
Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me Jack
Shoot Out Alma
1972 Fat City Oma Lee Greer New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress (2nd place)
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress (2nd place)
Nominated — Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
1974 Catch My Soul Emilia
Zandy's Bride Maria Cordova
To Kill the King Maggie Van Birchard
1976 The Killer Inside Me Joyce Lakeland
1977 Andy Warhol's Bad Mary Aiken Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress
Wizards Narrator Voice, Uncredited
Islands in the Stream Lil
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden Lee
September 30, 1955 Melba Lou
Another Man, Another Chance Alice
1978 Loose Shoes Boobies
1979 Racquet Miss Baxter
1980 Forbidden Zone Queen Doris of the Sixth Dimension / Ruth Henderson
1981 Document of the Dead Narrator Voice
Subway Riders Eleanor Langley
Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker / Night Warning Cheryl Roberts (Aunt Cheryl)
Tales of Ordinary Madness Vera
1982 Liar's Moon Lora Mae Bouvier
Fast-Walking Evie
1983 Fire and Ice Juliana Voice
1984 Angel Solly Mosler
The Killers Susu, Second Ragpicker
1985 Avenging Angel Solly Mosler
Flesh and Blood Celine
1986 The Christmas Star Sara
1987 The Chipmunk Adventure Claudia Furschtein Voice
From a Whisper to a Scream Beth Chandler
The Underachievers Mrs. Grant
1988 Tapeheads Nikki Morton
Big Top Pee-wee Midge Montana
1989 Far from Home Agnes Reed
1990 Rockula Chuck the Bartender
Cry-Baby Ramona Rickettes
1991 Motorama Bartender
1992 Susan Tyrrell: My Rotten Life, a Bitter Operetta The Woman
1995 The Demolitionist Mayor Eleanor Grimbaum
Digital Man Mildred Hodges
Powder Maxine
1997 Poison Ivy: The New Seduction Mrs. B
Pink as the Day She Was Born Lana
1998 Relax...It's Just Sex Alicia Pillsbury
1999 Buddy Boy Sal
Swap Meet
2003 Masked and Anonymous Ella the Fortune Teller
2008 The Boneyard Collection High Priestess
2012 Kid-Thing Esther Voice
Final film role

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1964 Mr. Novak Phyllis Freuchen Episode: "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt"
1964 The Patty Duke Show Sue Ellen Episode: "The Tycoons"
1971 Bonanza Mrs. Jill Conway Episode: "Fallen Woman"
1975 Baretta Pamela / Jenny Episode: "Double Image"
1976 Starsky and Hutch Annie / Isabelle Oates Episode: "The Collector"
1978 Kojak Mary Torino Episode: "In Full Command"
Lady of the House Helen Proctor TV movie
1981–1982 Open All Night Gretchen Feester 13 episodes
1986 If Tomorrow Comes Bertha 1 episode
1987 The Hitchhiker Doris Episode: "In the Name of Love"
1988 Windmills of the Gods Neusa Muñoz Angel 2 episodes
1991 Shades of LA Rita Episode: "Send Up the Clowns"
1992 Wings Sconset Sal Episode: "Marriage, Italian Style" (as Susan Tyrell)
1995 Tales from the Crypt Mona Episode: "Comes the Dawn"
1997 Extreme Ghostbusters Achira Voice
Episodes: "Darkness at Noon, Part 1", "Darkness at Noon, Part 2"

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1967 The Rimers of Eldritch Patsy Johnson Cherry Lane Theatre
1968 Cactus Flower[12] Botticelli's Springtime [Replacement]

Toni (Understudy) [Replacement]

Broadway
1968 A Cry for Players Jenny Broadway
1969 King Lear[12] Ensemble Broadway
Invitation to a Beheading[13] Marthe The Public Theater
A Cry of Players[12] Jenny Broadway
The Time of Your Life[12] Kitty Duval Broadway
1970 Camino Real[12] Esmeralda Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center
1979 Father's Day (play) Louise The American Place Theatre
1992 Susan Tyrrell: My Rotten Life, a Bitter Operetta[6] The Woman
1997 The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite [14] Patsy, Older Woman, Waitress Center Theatre Group

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Work Award Category Result
1973 Fat City NSFC Award Best Supporting Actress Nominated
NYFCC Award Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Academy Award Best Supporting Actress Nominated
1978 Andy Warhol's Bad Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress Won

Source:[citation needed]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Susan Tyrrell

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from Grokipedia
Susan Tyrrell (born Susan Jillian Creamer; March 18, 1945 – June 16, 2012) was an American character actress celebrated for her raspy voice, eccentric persona, and portrayals of bold, unconventional women in film, television, and theater. Born in to a talent agent father and a mother, she began her professional career on stage in during the , making her Broadway debut in a 1963 production of Time Out for Ginger. Tyrrell transitioned to screen roles in the early 1970s, earning critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the hard-drinking barfly Dora in John Huston's Fat City (1972). Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Tyrrell built a diverse filmography featuring memorable supporting parts in films such as Zandy's Bride (1974), Islands in the Stream (1977) opposite George C. Scott, and the cult horror musical Forbidden Zone (1980), where she played the outrageous Queen Doris. Her television appearances included guest spots on shows like Starsky & Hutch, showcasing her versatility in dramatic and comedic roles. In the 1990s, she continued with distinctive performances, including the tough street madam in Cry-Baby (1990) directed by John Waters and voice work in animated projects like The Ren & Stimpy Show. Later in her career, Tyrrell expanded into writing and performance art, creating and starring in the one-woman show My Rotten Life: A Bitter Operetta (1991), which drew from her personal experiences and premiered in Los Angeles. She resided in Austin, Texas, in her final years, where she was known in local theater circles until her death from complications related to essential thrombocythemia, a blood disorder she battled since 2000 that led to multiple health challenges, including leg amputations. Tyrrell's legacy endures through her fearless approach to outsider characters and her influence on indie and cult cinema.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Susan Tyrrell was born Susan Jillian Creamer on March 18, 1945, in , . Her mother, Gillian Tyrrell Creamer (1913–2012), was British-born and served in the U.S. diplomatic corps in and the during and . Her father, John Belding Creamer, worked as a and vice president at the , providing early exposure to the entertainment industry. Tyrrell later adopted her mother's maiden name, changing hers to Susan Tyrrell. She had two sisters, Candace Creamer Sweet and Carole Creamer Davenport, along with several half-siblings including half-brother Peter Creamer. This family background, marked by international diplomatic ties and Hollywood connections, influenced her early interest in acting.

Initial Education and Interests

Susan Tyrrell spent her childhood in , where her early exposure to the entertainment industry came through her father's role as a at the . This family connection provided her with initial access to the world, nurturing her burgeoning interest in acting from a young age. Details on Tyrrell's formal education are scarce, with no records of attendance at drama schools or universities; instead, she emphasized a self-directed approach to her craft, later stating in an that she had "never done any acting exercises." Her passion for performance developed organically through familial ties to and personal curiosity, leading her to pursue opportunities independently rather than through structured training. At age 18, Tyrrell made her stage debut in 1963 in a touring production of the comedy Time Out for Ginger, opposite , a role secured through her father's industry connections and marking her first public performance. This experience ignited her commitment to acting, prompting her move to in her late teens to immerse herself in the vibrant theater scene. In New York, Tyrrell's interests gravitated toward the experimental and productions that characterized the theater landscape, where she began exploring eccentric and unconventional characters that would define her later career. These early pursuits, influenced by the city's dynamic arts community and her self-taught instincts, laid the foundation for her distinctive approach to the before she entered professional theater full-time.

Acting Career

Theater Beginnings

Susan Tyrrell began her professional acting career in in 1963, securing her first role through her father's connections in the entertainment industry as an in the comedy Time Out for Ginger, opposite . This marked her entry into the vibrant New York theater scene, where she initially performed in regional and productions, building experience in character-driven roles that showcased emerging dramatic depth. Throughout the mid-1960s, Tyrrell honed her craft in experimental and off-Broadway plays, including notable performances in The Rimers of Eldritch (1967) and A Cry of Players (1968), where she portrayed complex, often gritty female characters that deviated from traditional ingénue parts. Her Broadway debut came in 1965 as a replacement in the long-running comedy Cactus Flower, followed by her affiliation with the Repertory Theatre of Lincoln Center starting in 1968, which featured her in revivals such as King Lear, The Time of Your Life (1969), Camino Real (1970), and The Good Woman of Setzuan (1970). These productions, emphasizing innovative interpretations and ensemble dynamics, allowed Tyrrell to explore seamy, unconventional personas that became hallmarks of her style. Through her intensive live performances in the 1960s, Tyrrell cultivated her signature raspy voice and eccentric stage presence, transitioning from youthful roles to more intense, character-focused portrayals that underscored her as an "eccentric presence" in theater. This foundational period in off-Broadway and regional theater provided essential training, enabling her shift to film by 1971 with her screen debut in Shoot Out.

Film Breakthroughs

Tyrrell made her film debut in the Western Shoot Out (1971), directed by , where she portrayed Alma, a supporting role opposite as a former bank robber seeking revenge. This early screen appearance established her commanding presence as a character actress, drawing on her prior theater experience to infuse roles with raw emotional depth. Her breakthrough arrived the following year in John Huston's Fat City (1972), in which she played Oma, an alcoholic barfly entangled in the life of a fading boxer. Tyrrell's portrayal captured the character's desperate vulnerability and intensity, earning widespread critical acclaim for its unflinching realism and contributing to her Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The performance, described by reviewers as a "searing portrait of ," solidified her reputation for embodying marginalized, gritty figures in American cinema. Tyrrell's career progressed into cult favorites that showcased her eccentric flair, beginning with (1977), directed by Jed Johnson, where she appeared as Mary Aiken, the sardonic sister to the film's central beauty salon operator in a black comedy about suburban hitwomen. This role highlighted her ability to blend dark humor with seedy undercurrents, aligning with the film's satirical edge on 1970s urban decay. She followed this with a standout turn in Richard Elfman's surreal musical (1980), voicing and portraying Queen Doris of the Sixth Dimension, a tyrannical ruler in a fantastical underground realm that mixed vaudeville, animation, and absurdity. Tyrrell's raspy, domineering delivery as the jealous queen became iconic in the film's devoted cult following, emphasizing her versatility in boundary-pushing narratives. In the and , Tyrrell continued to take on diverse supporting roles in both mainstream and independent films, often as eccentric maternal or antagonistic figures that amplified the story's emotional stakes. In ' satirical musical (1990), she played Ramona Rickettes, the flamboyant grandmother of the , delivering a campy performance that infused the teen rebellion tale with chaotic energy. Later indie works included (1995), directed by , where she portrayed Maxine, a compassionate yet world-weary to the film's albino genius , adding layers of quiet intensity to the . Roles such as Sal, the abusive, alcoholic in the psychological thriller Buddy Boy (1999), explored themes of isolation and delusion, and she continued with live-action appearances into the 2000s, including as Ella the Fortune Teller in (2003). These performances marked her evolution as a go-to for complex, often unsympathetic women in character-driven stories. Throughout this period, Tyrrell increasingly incorporated voice work, blending her signature gravelly timbre—honed from theater—with the visual grit of live-action cinema. A prime example is her voicing of Claudia Furschtien, a scheming smuggler, in the animated adventure The Chipmunk Adventure (1987), where her eccentric delivery enhanced the film's globetrotting escapades involving the Chipmunks. This shift allowed her to expand her range across mediums while maintaining the raw, unconventional persona that defined her film career.

Television and Voice Roles

Tyrrell made notable guest appearances on television throughout the 1980s and 1990s, often portraying quirky and eccentric supporting characters that showcased her distinctive raspy delivery. In 1987, she appeared as Doris in the episode "In the Name of Love" of the anthology series , a role that highlighted her ability to embody complex, morally ambiguous figures in suspenseful narratives. Later, in 1992, Tyrrell guest-starred as Sconset Sal in the Wings episode "," bringing her signature offbeat energy to the sitcom's ensemble of colorful airport personnel. These roles exemplified her versatility in television, where she frequently infused short-form parts with memorable intensity despite limited screen time. In addition to live-action television, Tyrrell contributed to TV movies and miniseries during this period, expanding her range into dramatic and fantastical formats. She played Sara in the 1986 holiday TV movie The Christmas Star, a character navigating themes of redemption and family amid a heist plot. Her work in the 1990s included the guest role of Rita in the crime drama series Shades of L.A. (1990), further demonstrating her knack for gritty, noir-inspired supporting turns. Tyrrell's voice acting career allowed her to leverage her husky, whiskey-soaked timbre for animated projects, particularly in the late 1980s through the 2000s, where she voiced villains and eccentric personalities even as health challenges curtailed her live-action opportunities. In the 1987 animated feature , she provided the voice for the diamond-smuggling antagonist Claudia Furschtein (also credited as Claudia Vorstein), a role that capitalized on her gravelly tone to create a menacing yet comically over-the-top villainess. This performance marked an early highlight of her voice work, blending menace with eccentricity in a family-oriented adventure. Extending into television animation, Tyrrell voiced Achira, a entity, in two episodes of (1997), contributing to the series' darker supernatural lore with her ominous vocal inflections. She also lent her distinctive rasp to Madame DeBarge in an episode of (1997), portraying a flamboyant and chaotic figure that aligned with her talent for animated eccentrics. These roles, along with appearances in series like , sustained her presence in into the early 2000s, adapting her raspy voice to suit cartoonish antagonists and oddballs despite physical limitations from illness.

Personal Life

Relationships and Family Decisions

Tyrrell entered into two brief marriages during the 1960s and , both of which ended in divorce, and she had no children from either union. In 1981, she underwent surgery, a decision she attributed to her reluctance to raise children within the demanding acting profession; in a contemporary , she stated, "I'm having my tubes tied next week. I just want to ensure that no actors come out of me." Tyrrell described her lifestyle as nomadic and independent, often prioritizing her career over conventional structures, remarking in a 2010 interview, "I'm nomadic. I want to keep traveling till I drop dead." Following her divorces, she maintained no long-term romantic partnerships, embracing a as an outcast and , as she explained: "I’m a loner and an outsider. Those things strangle me. For me, there is not strength in numbers." This outlook was partly shaped by early , which reinforced her preference for .

Later Years and Residence

In 2008, Susan Tyrrell relocated from to , to be closer to her niece, settling into a quieter life while embracing the city's vibrant arts scene. There, she quickly became a local icon among film enthusiasts and artists, frequently attending screenings and engaging with the community at institutions like the Austin Film Society. Her distinctive personality endeared her to friends, who affectionately nicknamed her "Su-Su," capturing her eccentric charm and the warmth she brought to social gatherings. Tyrrell remained professionally active into the , taking on roles in independent films that aligned with her affinity for unconventional narratives. Notable among these was her portrayal of Ella the Fortune Teller in the ensemble drama (2003), directed by and featuring . She also contributed voice work, such as the character Mrs. Nog in the indie comedy Flexing with Monty (2010), demonstrating her enduring versatility despite advancing age. She made notable appearances, including a 2010 screening of her cult classic at the Alamo Drafthouse, where she addressed audiences directly, and participated in interviews that highlighted her candid reflections on her career. This period underscored her determination to stay connected to the creative world that defined her life.

Health Struggles and Death

Medical Conditions

In 2000, Susan Tyrrell was diagnosed with , a rare myeloproliferative blood disorder characterized by overproduction of platelets in the , which increases the risk of abnormal blood clotting. This condition led to severe complications, culminating in the bilateral of her legs below the later that year to prevent life-threatening infections and further clotting events. Following the surgery, Tyrrell experienced semicomatose episodes and remained in a precarious state near death for several days, requiring intensive medical intervention. Over the subsequent 12 years until her death in 2012, she managed the ongoing effects of through medical treatments, though the disease continued to impact her mobility profoundly. From 2000 onward, Tyrrell relied on a for daily life but demonstrated remarkable resilience by continuing to take on roles despite these challenges.

Final Days and Legacy Impact

Susan Tyrrell died on June 16, 2012, at her home in , at the age of 67. Her niece, Amy Sweet, who served as her spokesperson, confirmed that Tyrrell passed away peacefully in her sleep. Sweet also handled the arrangements following her aunt's death, opting for a private celebration of Tyrrell's life that included a screening of her Oscar-nominated film Fat City at an Austin theater, followed by a gathering to honor her memory, rather than a traditional . The cause of death was a heart attack, attributed by Sweet to complications from Tyrrell's long-term blood disorder, , which had previously led to the of both her legs below the in 2000 and heightened her vulnerability to clotting issues. This condition, a rare causing excessive platelet production and increased risk of , had persisted for over a decade, contributing to her final health decline. In the wake of her death, obituaries across major publications celebrated Tyrrell's cult status in cinema, emphasizing her resilience in continuing to work and perform despite profound physical challenges. Tributes portrayed her as a "bizarre, gloriously one-of-a-kind" figure whose husky voice, unconventional presence, and fearless portrayals of eccentric characters left an indelible mark on independent and offbeat films, ensuring her legacy as an enduring icon of Hollywood's outsider artists.

Recognition

Awards and Nominations

Susan Tyrrell received significant recognition early in her film career for her portrayal of the hard-edged Oma in John Huston's Fat City (1972), earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the in 1973. This nomination highlighted her ability to bring raw intensity to supporting roles, though she did not win; the award went to for . Her performance as Mary Aiken in (1977) garnered further acclaim within genre circles, winning her the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1978 from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. This was her sole major award win, reflecting her affinity for offbeat, cult-favored characters in exploitation and horror-adjacent films. Tyrrell also received nominations from prominent critics' groups for Fat City, including a second-place finish for Best Supporting Actress from the in 1973 and another second-place nod from the in 1972. Despite these honors and occasional festival mentions for later works in the and , such as her role in the Canadian horror film The Pit (1981), she accumulated no additional major wins, underscoring her enduring cult status rather than widespread mainstream accolades.
YearAwardCategoryWorkOutcomeSource
1973Academy AwardBest Supporting ActressFat CityNominatedoscars.org
1978Saturn AwardBest Supporting ActressWonimdb.com
1973 AwardBest Supporting ActressFat City2nd Placeimdb.com
1972 AwardBest Supporting ActressFat City2nd Placeimdb.com

Critical Reception and Influence

Susan Tyrrell's distinctive whiskey-voiced delivery and her skill in embodying gritty, unconventional women garnered significant praise from critics, particularly for her Oscar-nominated performance as the alcoholic barfly Oma in John Huston's Fat City (1972). of described the film as "one of the three or four most beautifully acted films seen so far this year," noting especially that Tyrrell "plays one of the first believable drunks I've ever seen on screen." echoed this sentiment, praising her portrayal of the vulnerable yet resilient Oma as a key element in the film's honest depiction of its characters. Tyrrell developed a devoted through her roles in eccentric genre films such as (1980), where she played the power-hungry Queen Doris. , an absurdist musical fantasy, achieved enduring cult status for its surreal style and has influenced independent filmmakers with its boundary-pushing aesthetics rooted in and . Following her death in 2012, major obituaries celebrated Tyrrell as an eccentric character actress renowned for her unconventional portrayals. lauded her as a "whiskey-voiced character actress whose talent for playing the downtrodden, outré and grotesque led to an Oscar nomination." described her as an "eccentric, husky-voiced character actress best known for her Oscar-nominated supporting role as a blowsy barfly," emphasizing her impact on offbeat cinema. Variety remembered her as an "unconventional thesp" whose career spanned gritty dramas and cult favorites. Tyrrell's influence persists in the portrayals of offbeat, resilient characters by later actors in indie and , with her tragic personal story and bold performances serving as a touchstone for eccentricity in . A 2024 YouTube retrospective essay, "The Tragic Story of Susan Tyrrell: From 'Fat City' to ','" underscores her enduring legacy of tragic resilience, drawing parallels to contemporary performers who channel similar raw intensity in marginalized roles.

Filmography

Film

Tyrrell made her film debut in the Western (1971), directed by , playing the role of Alma. In the same year, she appeared in Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me (1971), directed by Jeffrey Young, as Jack. Also in 1971, Tyrrell starred in The Steagle (1971), directed by , portraying Louise. Her breakthrough role came in Fat City (1972), directed by , where she played Oma Lee Greer, earning an Academy Award nomination. In 1974, she featured in Zandy's Bride (1974), directed by , as Maria Cordova. That year, she also appeared in Catch My Soul (1974), directed by , as Emilia. Tyrrell voiced Elinore in the animated film Wizards (1977), directed by . In Andy Warhol's Bad (1977), directed by Jed Johnson, she played L.T. She portrayed Lil in Islands in the Stream (1977), directed by . In 1978, Tyrrell had a role in the comedy anthology Loose Shoes as Boobies. The following year, she appeared in Racquet (1979), directed by David Winters, as Miss Baxter. Tyrrell played Queen Doris in the cult film (1980), directed by . In 1981, she starred as Cheryl Roberts in the horror film , directed by . In Fast-Walking (1982), directed by , she was cast as Evie. She appeared as Heater in (1982), directed by . In the animated fantasy Fire and Ice (1983), Tyrrell provided the voice of Juliana, directed by . Tyrrell played Solly in the Angel (1984), directed by Robert Vincent O'Neil. In Flesh + Blood (1985), directed by , she portrayed Celine. She voiced Lucy Hanover in the animated The Chipmunk Adventure (1987). In From a Whisper to a Scream (1987), directed by Bill Malone, Tyrrell played Beth Chandler. In 1988, she appeared in Tapeheads, directed by Bill Fishman, as Nikki Morton. She appeared as Madame Electra in (1988), directed by . In Far from Home (1989), directed by Meiert Avis, her role was Joleen. Tyrrell played Ramona Ricketts in (1990), directed by . In (1990), she was Chuck, the bartender. She portrayed Miss Poote in (1990), directed by James Cummins. In Motorama (1991), directed by Barry Shils, Tyrrell played Hattie. Her role in (1995), directed by , was Georgette. In Relax... It's Just Sex! (1998), directed by , she was . Tyrrell appeared as Sal in Buddy Boy (1999), directed by Marc Himmel. In (2003), directed by , she played Ella the Fortune Teller. Her final film role was as Esther in Kid-Thing (2012), directed by David Zellner.

Television

Tyrrell began her television career in the with guest appearances in dramatic series. She gained prominence in the 1970s through recurring guest spots in crime and western dramas. During the , she starred in short-lived series and appeared in TV movies, often portraying eccentric or tough characters. In the , Tyrrell transitioned to in animated programming while continuing live-action guest roles. The following is a chronological selection of her key television appearances:
YearTitleRoleNotes
1971Mrs. Jill ConwayEpisode: "Fallen Woman"
1975JosieGuest role in crime series
1976Starsky and HutchAnnie / Isabelle OatesGuest role in action series
1978Mary TorinoGuest role in detective series
1981–1982Open All NightGretchen FeesterSeries regular, 13 episodes
1984VirginiaTV movie
1985Alda GriggsSeries regular in short-lived cop drama
1986BerthaMiniseries, 1 episode
1986The Christmas StarSaraTV movie
1987Mad MaryTV movie
1987The HitchhikerDorisEpisode: "In the Name of Love"
1992WingsSconset SalEpisode: ""
1995Tales from the CryptMonaEpisode: "Comes the Dawn"
1997Madame DeBargeEpisode: "Ping Pong at Sea" (voice)
1997Various1 episode (voice)
1997Extreme GhostbustersAchiraEpisodes: ", Part 1 & 2" (voice)

Theater

Susan Tyrrell's theater career commenced in during the early 1960s, where she established herself through a series of Broadway and productions that showcased her versatility in dramatic and ensemble roles. Her early work emphasized character-driven parts in both classic revivals and contemporary plays, contributing to her reputation as a dynamic stage presence before transitioning prominently to film. Tyrrell made her professional stage debut at age 17 in the New York revival of Time Out for Ginger (1962), portraying a supporting role opposite in this family comedy at the Lyceum Theatre. She followed with appearances, including the original production of Lanford Wilson's The Rimers of Eldritch (1967) at the , where she played Eva, a young woman entangled in a rural Southern scandal. On Broadway, she took on the role of Jackie in the long-running comedy Cactus Flower (1965–1967), supporting the leads and . In the late 1960s, Tyrrell continued building her stage portfolio with notable ensemble and lead roles. She appeared as an ensemble member in the New York Shakespeare Festival's production of (1968) at the Delacorte Theatre in , directed by A. J. Antoon. That same year, she starred as Joan in the short-lived Broadway drama A Cry of Players (1968), a fictionalized take on Shakespeare's early life featuring performances by and . Tyrrell then took the central role of Kitty Duval, a disillusioned prostitute, in the Broadway revival of William Saroyan's (1969) at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, earning praise for her poignant interpretation amid the ensemble cast led by . Her early 1970s theater work included the role of Esmeralda in ' Camino Real (1970) at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, a surreal drama revival directed by Michael Kahn that highlighted her ability to embody exotic, tormented characters. , Tyrrell returned in the 1979 production of by Oliver Hailey at the American Place Theatre, playing a key role in this domestic comedy-drama exploring family tensions. These New York-based credits, spanning revivals and originals, underscored her foundational contributions to American theater during a formative period of her career. Later, Tyrrell created and starred in the one-woman show My Rotten Life: A Bitter Opera Boi (1991), which premiered at the and drew from her personal experiences.

References

  1. https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-susan-tyrrell-20120620-story.html
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/arts/susan-tyrrell-67-actress-who-played-the-down-out-and-odd.html
  3. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/susan_tyrrell
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879073/
  5. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-02-ca-297-story.html
  6. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/movies/susan-tyrrell-oscar-nominee-dies-at-67.html
  7. https://www.austinfilm.org/2020/11/museum-of-home-video-presents-the-incomparable-susan-tyrrell/
  8. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2012/06/19/gJQAweNloV_story.html
  9. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/jun/27/susan-tyrrell
  10. https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/news/news/susan-tyrrell-actress-known-gritty-challenging-roles
  11. https://www.dailyfreeman.com/2012/06/19/susan-tyrrell-oscar-nominated-actress-dies-at-67/
  12. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879073/trivia/
  13. https://variety.com/2012/film/news/cult-thesp-susan-tyrrell-dies-at-67-1118055651/
  14. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-30-ca-14390-story.html
  15. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/9512825/Susan-Tyrrell.html
  16. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879073/bio/
  17. https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Susan-Tyrrell/
  18. https://playbill.com/person/susan-tyrrell-vault-0000043698
  19. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/susan-tyrrell-95719
  20. https://playbill.com/article/susan-tyrrell-eccentric-presence-of-stage-and-film-dies-at-67-com-194838
  21. https://www.nytimes.com/1972/08/13/archives/-fat-citys-susie-oh-oh-what-a-girl-fatcitys-susiewhat-a-girl.html
  22. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/susan-tyrrell/
  23. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/fat-city-1972
  24. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/andy_warhols_bad
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080752/characters/nm0879073
  26. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/forbidden_zone_1980
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099329/characters/nm0879073
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319829/characters/nm0879073
  29. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/susan-tyrrell/credits/3030492775/
  30. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Chipmunk-Adventure/Claudia-Vorstein/
  31. https://www.villagevoice.com/susan-tyrrell-told-me-im-basically-a-c-word/
  32. https://www.statesman.com/story/entertainment/movies-tv/2012/09/24/a-life-of-blows-and-disappointments-cant-bow-susan-tyrrell/10228745007/
  33. https://variety.com/2003/film/reviews/masked-and-anonymous-2-1200543665/
  34. https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/remembering-susan-tyrrell-11754998/
  35. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/susan-tyrrell-actress-known-for-offbeat-film-roles-dies-at-67/
  36. https://www.laweekly.com/my-so-called-rotten-life/
  37. https://www.tvguide.com/news/susan-tyrrell-dies-1048973/
  38. https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/people/2012/06/18/susan-tyrrell-actress-noted-cult-films-dies-67
  39. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/susan-tyrrell-obituary?pid=178837327
  40. https://people.com/parents/susan-tyrrell-dies-at-67/
  41. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879073/awards/
  42. https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/27/archives/huston-takes-new-look-at-life-in-fat-city.html
  43. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/20/movies/susan-tyrrell-67-actress-who-played-the-down-out-and-odd.html
  44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ALjGoRE0Sc
  45. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066818/
  46. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071289/
  47. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082813/
  48. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096223/
  49. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309698/
  50. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1826126/
  51. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0529558/
  52. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081913/
  53. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087497/
  54. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/59369-susan-tyrrell
  55. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0749279/
  56. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0716832/
  57. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1466164/
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