Susan Oliver

Stunning blonde Susan Oliver's career as a character actress on such TV shows as "Peyton Place" and "Carter's Army" was punctuated by appearances on the stage and, surprisingly, as an aviator. She began her long career appearing in prime-time television shows in 1956, working on several series until landing her one lead, as the title character in the pregnancy drama "The Green-Eyed Blonde." This didn't help get her much work, but in 1960 she did win a supporting part opposite Elizabeth Taylor in the model/call-girl classic "Butterfield 8." Working consistently on the stage, Oliver carried on with television and occasional film work--memorably as Audrey Williams in the Hank Williams biopic "Your Cheatin' Heart"--until playing the part of Ann Howard on the suburban drama "Peyton Place" in 1966; her character caused a bit of controversy when she was murdered after two seasons.

Meanwhile, Oliver chased aviation records as an ace pilot and was named Pilot of the Year in 1970. That year she also played Anna Renvic in Aaron Spelling's TV movie "Carter's Army," about black World War II troops taking a bridge from the Nazis, and in 1974 she played Sugar in the May-December romance "Ginger in the Morning," with Sissy Spacek. A TV veteran by this point, Oliver worked continuously until her retirement in 1988.