Suzan Ball, a second cousin of
Lucille Ball, was born on March 3, 1934, in Jamestown, New York. She came to Hollywood with her family in 1941. She sang with the Mel Baker Orchestra from 1948-1953. Her first part in Hollywood was as a harem girl in
Aladdin and His Lamp (1952) at Monogram. She got an interview with the talent department of Universal-International and signed a contract. In 1952 she was proclaimed "The New Cinderella Girl of 1952". She had a fleeting romance with
Scott Brady, whom she met on the set of
Untamed Frontier (1952), and they planned to marry. She then filmed
City Beneath the Sea (1953) and fell for
Anthony Quinn, who was still married. Their romance lasted only a year because Quinn was still in love with his wife,
Katherine DeMille. Suzan was proclaimed one of the most important "New Stars of 1953" by
Hedda Hopper. On her next film,
East of Sumatra (1953), she suffered an injury to her right leg during a dance number. Later in 1953, while filming
War Arrow (1953), she was told by doctors that her leg had developed tumors. Later that year at home, she slipped on some spilled water and broke her leg. She was rushed to the hospital and operated on to remove the tumors. The operation was not a success and she was told that amputation of her right leg would be necessary. In December of 1953, she became engaged to
Richard Long. On January 12, 1954, her leg was amputated. On April 4th, 1954, she was married to Long in Santa Barbara wearing an artificial limb. Some guests in attendance at her wedding were
Rock Hudson,
Tony Curtis and
Janet Leigh,
David Janssen, and
Jeff Chandler. In May 1955 she embarked on a nightclub tour. In July, while rehearsing a scene for an episode of
Climax! (1954), she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors found that the cancer had spread to her lungs. On August 5th, 1955, Suzan died of cancer, only six months after her 21st birthday. She fought her battle with cancer for 16 months and lost. She was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Her husband Richard was always praised for his love and devotion to Suzan during her long illness.
Chief Crazy Horse(1955)as Little Fawn - aka Black Shawl
Lux Video Theatre(1950)as Lee
War Arrow(1953)as Avis
East of Sumatra(1953)as Minyora
City Beneath the Sea(1953)as Venita aka Mary Lou Beetle
The Swift Show Wagon with Horace Heidt and the American Way(1955)
The Ed Sullivan Show(1948)as Self - actress wife of Richard Long
A Star Is Born World Premiere(1954)as Self
