Susan Diane Ruttan (née Dunsrud; born September 16, 1948, Oregon City, Oregon) is an American actress, best known for her role as Roxanne Melman on L.A. Law (1986–1993).
| # | Fact |
|---|
| 1 | Member of the Staircase Repertory Company from 1974 to 1978 in Santa Cruz, California. |
| 2 | Quirky, auburn-haired, vulnerable-looking American character actress best known for her long-suffering secretary Roxanne on TV's L.A. Law (1986), for which she received several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. |
| 3 | Married twice - her first husband died young in the early 1970s. Divorced from her second. |
| 4 | Her father was a logger and she lived in various logging camps during her early life until her paternal grandmother adopted her at the age of 12 after her parents' divorce. |
| 5 | Started an interior design business in 2000. |
| 6 | Adopted son Jackson at birth in 1993. |
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|
| Grimm | 2015 | TV Series | Betty Frame |
| I Didn't Do It | 2015 | TV Series | Ada |
| Battle Creek | 2015 | TV Series | Carole |
| Come Simi | 2015 | Jeannie |
| The Quota | 2014 | Short | Lucy |
| Swelter | 2014 | Church Lady |
| The Grim Sleeper | 2014 |
| Good Luck Charlie | 2013 | TV Series | Mrs. Dobbs |
| Common Law | 2012 | TV Series | Paul's Mother |
| Grey's Anatomy | 2011 | TV Series | Mrs. Swork |
| The Forgotten | 2009-2010 | TV Series | Horsemama |
| Dead Air | 2009/I | Maggie |
| Donna on Demand | 2009 | Rose |
| Hawthorne | 2009 | TV Series | Dolores Kramer |
| Hannah Montana | 2009 | TV Series | Grandma |
| Castle | 2009 | TV Series | Mrs. Pike |
| Ghost Whisperer | 2009 | TV Series | Mrs. Blakelock |
| Private Practice | 2009 | TV Series | Nora |
| Prayers for Bobby | 2009 | TV Movie | Betty Lambert |
| Half-Life | 2008 | Lorraine Parker |
| Tell Me You Love Me | 2007 | TV Series |
| The Legend of Butch & Sundance | 2006 | TV Movie | Mrs. Place |
| You Did What? | 2006 | Mom |
| Boston Legal | 2005 | TV Series | Jeanie Biddle |
| Monk | 2005 | TV Series | Mrs. Ledsky |
| Strong Medicine | 2005 | TV Series | Dr. Offenbach |
| CSI: NY | 2004 | TV Series | Mrs. Moreland |
| Helter Skelter | 2004 | TV Movie | Mrs. Kasabian |
| The Division | 2004 | TV Series | Mrs. Evans |
| The Sure Hand of God | 2004 | Lucy Trotter |
| The Agency | 2002 | TV Series | Mrs. Barnes |
| L.A. Law: The Movie | 2002 | TV Movie | Roxanne Melman |
| Maybe It's Me | 2002 | TV Series | Mrs. Finn |
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer | 2002 | TV Series | Doris Kroeger |
| Yes, Dear | 2001 | TV Series | Aunt Betty |
| Any Day Now | 2001 | TV Series | Marietta Pryor |
| Gilmore Girls | 2001 | TV Series | Bed & Breakfast Wife |
| Gideon's Crossing | 2001 | TV Series | Dr. Grace Tarpon |
| Judging Amy | 2001 | TV Series | Lyla Myles |
| Popular | 2000 | TV Series | Joy Ferrara |
| The Ultimate Christmas Present | 2000 | TV Movie | Mrs. Claus |
| Code Blue | 2000 | Video Game | Carolyn Drake (voice) |
| Touched by an Angel | 1994-2000 | TV Series | Mrs. Donovan / Joanne Peters |
| Brutally Normal | 2000 | TV Series | Pooh's Mother |
| Family Law | 2000 | TV Series | Hairstylist's Angry Client |
| Chicken Soup for the Soul | 1999 | TV Series |
| Safe Harbor | 1999 | TV Series |
| 3rd Rock from the Sun | 1999 | TV Series | Cathy |
| Love Boat: The Next Wave | 1998 | TV Series | Doris Werner |
| Life of the Party: The Pamela Harriman Story | 1998 | TV Movie | Janet |
| Love Kills | 1998 | Lela |
| Suddenly Susan | 1997-1998 | TV Series | Nectarine Stites |
| Krippendorf's Tribe | 1998 | Mrs. O'Brian |
| Chicago Hope | 1996-1997 | TV Series | Linda Fortin |
| Touched by Evil | 1997 | TV Movie | Madge Jaynes |
| Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance | 1996 | TV Movie | Arlene Reed |
| Justice for Annie: A Moment of Truth Movie | 1996 | TV Movie | Helen Preston |
| Jack Reed: A Killer Among Us | 1996 | TV Movie | Arlene |
| Family Values | 1995 | TV Movie | Melody Huck |
| Jack Reed: One of Our Own | 1995 | TV Movie | Arlene Reed |
| Courthouse | 1995 | TV Series | Stefanie Dale |
| Sweet Justice | 1995 | TV Series | Marilyn Craig |
| Jack Reed: A Search for Justice | 1994 | TV Movie | Arlene Reed |
| L.A. Law | 1986-1993 | TV Series | Roxanne Melman |
| Jack Reed: Badge of Honor | 1993 | TV Movie | Arlene Reed |
| The Mommies | 1993 | TV Series | Anne |
| Without Warning: Terror in the Towers | 1993 | TV Movie | Anne Marie Tesoriero |
| Bride of Killer Nerd | 1992 | Extra |
| Deadly Matrimony | 1992 | TV Movie | Arlene Reed |
| Deadly Medicine | 1991 | TV Movie | Genene Jones |
| A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story | 1991 | TV Movie | Carol |
| Sweet 15 | 1990 | TV Movie | Mrs. Zavala |
| A Quiet Little Neighborhood, a Perfect Little Murder | 1990 | TV Movie | Judy Hecker |
| Funny About Love | 1990 | Claire |
| CBS Schoolbreak Special | 1990 | TV Series | Ms. Morales |
| Fire and Rain | 1989 | TV Movie | Sandra Thompson |
| Ghostbusters II | 1989 | Woman in TV Interview (uncredited) |
| Chances Are | 1989 | Woman in the Bookstore |
| Take My Daughters, Please | 1988 | TV Movie | Courtney |
| Bad Dreams | 1988 | Miriam |
| Bay Coven | 1987 | TV Movie | Debbi McGwin |
| The New Leave It to Beaver | 1986 | TV Series | Mrs. Livermore |
| Under the Influence | 1986 | TV Movie | Ms. Morgan |
| Night Court | 1985 | TV Series | Mrs. Blake |
| Murder: By Reason of Insanity | 1985 | TV Movie | Judge M. Tyson |
| What's Happening Now! | 1985 | TV Series | Jane |
| Do You Remember Love | 1985 | TV Movie | Julie Myers |
| The Jeffersons | 1985 | TV Series | Mrs. Cunningham |
| Kicks | 1985 | TV Movie | Rosemary |
| Newhart | 1984 | TV Series | Sarah |
| Growing Pains | 1984 | Biker |
| Scorned and Swindled | 1984 | TV Movie | Margie |
| Remington Steele | 1984 | TV Series | Miss Livermore |
| Benson | 1984 | TV Series | Rita |
| Buffalo Bill | 1984 | TV Series | Katherine Zawicki Shub |
| Second Sight: A Love Story | 1984 | TV Movie | Robin |
| After MASH | 1983 | TV Series | Doris Gardena |
| After George | 1983 | TV Short | Marge |
| The Fighter | 1983 | TV Movie | Hostess |
| Packin' It In | 1983 | TV Movie | Mrs. Estep |
| Thursday's Child | 1983 | TV Movie | Portsmouth Nurse |
| Independence Day | 1983 | Nurse #2 |
| Amanda's | 1983 | TV Series | Sister Mary Elizabeth |
| Drop-Out Father | 1982 | TV Movie | Woman Prude |
| The Powers of Matthew Star | 1982 | TV Series | Bus Driver |
| Best of the West | 1981-1982 | TV Series | Pregnant Woman |
| Quincy M.E. | 1981 | TV Series | Helen |
| Harper Valley P.T.A. | 1981 | TV Series | Woman |
| It's a Living | 1981 | TV Series | Waitress |
| Bosom Buddies | 1981 | TV Series | Esther Crane |
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|
| The LA Law Story | 2014 | Video documentary |
| Whatever Happened To? | 2009 | TV Series | Herself |
| Living Live! | 2007 | TV Series | Herself-Guest Host (2007) |
| The John Kerwin Show | 2005 | TV Series | Herself |
| NBC 75th Anniversary Special | 2002 | TV Special | Herself |
| The 19th Annual People's Choice Awards | 1993 | TV Special | Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Dramatic Television Series |
| John & Leeza from Hollywood | 1993 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 18th Annual People's Choice Awards | 1992 | TV Special | Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Drama Series |
| The $10,000 Pyramid | 1986-1991 | TV Series | Herself - Celebrity Contestant |
| The Chuck Woolery Show | 1991 | TV Series | Herself |
| One on One with John Tesh | 1991 | TV Series | Herself |
| L.A. Law 100th Episode Celebration | 1991 | TV Movie | Herself / Roxanne Melman |
| The 17th Annual People's Choice Awards | 1991 | TV Special | Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Dramatic Series |
| The 16th Annual People's Choice Awards | 1990 | TV Special | Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Dramatic Series |
| The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1990 | TV Special | Herself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
| The 47th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 1990 | TV Special | Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV |
| The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1989 | TV Special | Herself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
| The 15th Annual People's Choice Awards | 1989 | TV Special | Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Drama Program |
| Live with Kelly and Michael | 1989 | TV Series | Herself |
| The New Hollywood Squares | 1987-1989 | TV Series | Herself - Panelist |
| The Arsenio Hall Show | 1989 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 1989 | TV Special | Herself |
| Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | 1988 | TV Special | Herself |
| The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1988 | TV Special | Herself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
| Super Password | 1987-1988 | TV Series | Herself - Celebrity Contestant |
| The 14th Annual People's Choice Awards | 1988 | TV Special documentary | Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Drama Program |
| Funny | 1988 | Documentary | Herself |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | 1987 | TV Series | Herself - Guest |
| Family Comedy Hour | 1987 | TV Special | Herself |
| Late Night with David Letterman | 1987 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1987 | TV Special | Herself - Nominee |
| American Film Institute Comedy Special | 1987 | TV Special | Marian (segment "Gwendolyn") |
| The 13th Annual People's Choice Awards | 1987 | TV Special | Herself - Accepting Award for Favourite New Television Drama Program |
| Hour Magazine | 1987 | TV Series | Herself |
| Celebrity Double Talk | 1986 | TV Series | Herself |
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|
| 2015 | Festival Award | Hill Country Film Festival, US | Best Actress | The Quota (2014) |
| 1991 | Q Award | Viewers for Quality Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series | L.A. Law (1986) |
| 1990 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | L.A. Law (1986) |
| 1990 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | L.A. Law (1986) |
| 1990 | Q Award | Viewers for Quality Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series | L.A. Law (1986) |
| 1989 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | L.A. Law (1986) |
| 1989 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | L.A. Law (1986) |
| 1988 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | L.A. Law (1986) |
| 1987 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | L.A. Law (1986) |
