Castle Star Reveals Heartbreaking Diagnosis
Actress Susan Sullivan has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The 80-year-old made the revelation in a post on social media. “Life’s surprising little turns try to be ready for them with humor and hope. On we go,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself hooked up to oxygen tanks and other medical equipment in a hospital.
Actress Susan Sullivan has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
On October 17, Susan Sullivan gave fans an update on her health, saying that she had undergone a successful surgery. “Thanks for all the lovely comments and concerns. I had lung cancer. The surgery was successful. The healing process is a struggle. Thanks, glad you’re out there!” the actress wrote on social media.
Susan Sullivan has had a successful film, television, and theater career. She made her Broadway debut in the 1968 production of Jimmy Shine. In 1970, she began working in daytime television as Nancy Condon in the ABC soap opera A World Apart in 1970. Sullivan later joined the cast of NBC’s Another World in 1971, where she portrayed Lenore Moor Curtin Delaney for more than 220 episodes.
Susan Sullivan is arguably most famous for her portrayal of Maggie Gioberti Channing in the popular television series Falcon Crest, which ran from 1981 to 1990.
After her daytime television ventures, Susan Sullivan transitioned to prime time with roles in series such as Castle, S.W.A.T., McMillan & Wife, Petrocelli, Barnaby Jones, and Kojak. In 1977, she secured another significant role as a series regular, playing Maggie Porter in Rich Man, Poor Man Book II. In 1978, she received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work as Doctor Julie Farr in Julie Farr, M.D.
However, Susan Sullivan is arguably most famous for her portrayal of Maggie Gioberti Channing in the popular television series Falcon Crest, which ran from 1981 to 1990. The character was introduced in the early seasons of the show as the daughter of Richard Channing and his first wife, Emma. She arrived in the Napa Valley to reunite with her family and seek her share of their fortune.
Susan Sullivan played a prominent role in the crime drama Castle, which aired from 2009 to 2016. She portrayed Martha Rodgers, the mother of Nathan Fillion’s Richard Castle.
Susan Sullivan went on to make appearances in a wide range of television shows, showcasing her versatility as an actress. In 1997, she landed a recurring role in the popular sitcom Dharma & Greg, which aired until 2002. She portrayed Kitty Montgomery, Dharma’s mother-in-law and Greg’s mother.
Kitty is depicted as a wealthy and conservative socialite who often finds herself at odds with her free-spirited and unconventional daughter-in-law, Dharma, played by Jenna Elfman. Susan Sullivan’s portrayal of the character was a standout in the show. Her comedic timing, coupled with her ability to convey humor and the depth of her character’s evolution, was well-received by viewers and critics.
Susan Sullivan played a prominent role in the crime drama Castle, which aired from 2009 to 2016. She portrayed Martha Rodgers, the mother of Nathan Fillion’s Richard Castle. The actress also had a recurring role in the Tim Allen sitcom Last Man Standing, which aired from 2011 to 2021. She portrayed Bonnie, the mother of Vanessa Baxter, who appeared in later seasons.
In 2022, she appeared in Diary of a Spy, an arthouse spy romance film written and directed by Adam Christian Clark. She also had a minor role in the black comedy The Drop that same year. Susan Sullivan’s career in the entertainment industry spans several decades, and she continues to be celebrated for her contributions to television and other media.
