Susan Anspach

Susan Anspach (born November 23, 1942) is an American stage and film actress. She is best known for her roles in films during the 1970s such as Five Easy Pieces (1970), Play It Again, Sam (1972), and Blume in Love (1973).

Private life

Anspach was born in New York City and was raised in Queens, New York, the daughter of Trudy, a one-time singer, and Renald Anspach. She graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School in Long Island City in 1960. Paul Simon was a neighbor. She enrolled in the music department at the Catholic University of America. For her sophomore year she transferred to the drama department, where she appeared in the annual musical, All Systems Are Go.

Anspach has a son, Caleb Goddard (born 1970), whom she claims was fathered by actor Jack Nicholson.

In the October 6, 2014 obituary for fellow Hair cast member Steve Curry, the New York Times reported that Mr. Curry fathered a daughter - Catherine Goddard - with Ms. Anspach.

Career

Anspach starred in several Broadway and off-Broadway shows, including as the female lead in the musical Hair and an Actors Studio play with Al Pacino. She first came to prominence opposite Jack Nicholson in the 1970 film Five Easy Pieces. Vincent Canby of The New York Times called her "one of America's most charming and talented actresses". Anspach was originally cast in the role of country singer Barbara Jean in the 1975 film Nashville, but her salary requirements exceeded the ensemble film's budget; she was replaced by Ronee Blakley.