Susan Player, a former actress and model who starred in several low-budget films in the 1970s, died on January 31, 2019, at the age of 64. She was married to the Grammy-winning singer and musician Al Jarreau, who passed away in 2017. What was the cause of her death and what was her life like?
Early Life and Career
Susan Elaine Player was born on October 11, 1954, in Los Angeles, California. She began her acting career at a young age, appearing in commercials and TV shows. She made her film debut in the sci-fi horror film Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973), where she had a small role as one of the victims of the deadly female bees.
She then moved to Italy, where she starred in the erotic comedy Cugini Carnali (1974), directed by Sergio Martino. The film was acquired by Independent-International Pictures and released in the US under various titles, such as Loving Cousins, High School Girl, and Hot and Bothered. According to producer Sam Sherman, the film was a box office flop in its original version, but became a hit when it was retitled as High School Girl by a sub-distributor in the Midwest. However, the company never received any money from the sub-distributor, who went bankrupt.
Player returned to the US and continued to work in low-budget films, such as The Adolescents (1975), The Pom Pom Girls (1976), Game Show Models (1977), and Malibu High (1978). She also appeared in some TV shows, such as The Streets of San Francisco, Police Woman, and Fantasy Island.
Marriage and Retirement
Player met Al Jarreau, a jazz singer and songwriter, in 1976. They married in 1977 and had a son, Ryan. Jarreau was a successful musician who won seven Grammy Awards and had several hit songs, such as “We’re in This Love Together”, “Mornin’”, and “Moonlighting”.
Player decided to retire from acting after her marriage and focused on raising her son and supporting her husband’s career. She also pursued her passion for art and became a painter. She created several paintings that were inspired by her husband’s music and lyrics.
Cause of Death
Player died on January 31, 2019, at her home in Los Angeles. The cause of death was not publicly disclosed, but according to Find a Grave, she had been suffering from cancer for several years. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills, next to her husband, who died on February 12, 2017, due to respiratory failure.
Player’s death was not widely reported by the media, except for a few online sources. She was remembered by her fans and friends as a beautiful and talented actress who left behind a legacy of films that are still enjoyed by many today.