If you flip through the channels late at night and catch a rerun of The Partridge Family, it’s hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia. There’s Susan Dey, with those iconic high cheekbones and the velvet-voiced Laurie Partridge charm, looking like the ultimate 1970s "It Girl." But if you try to find Susan Dey now 2024, you won’t find her on a red carpet. You won’t find her promoting a memoir or doing a "where are they now" segment on a morning talk show.
Honestly? She’s basically a ghost in the Hollywood machine. And that is exactly how she wants it.
At 71 years old—turning 72 in December 2024—Susan Dey has pulled off the rarest feat in show business: she actually left. She didn’t just "take a break." She didn't "pivot to directing." She finished her last job in 2004 and effectively closed the door on a three-decade career that saw her win a Golden Globe and become a household name twice over.
The Quiet Life in Upstate New York
So, what is Susan Dey doing right now? While the internet loves a good "tragic downfall" narrative, the reality is much more grounded. She lives a private life in upstate New York with her husband, television producer Bernard Sofronski. They’ve been married since 1988, which, in Hollywood years, is basically several lifetimes.
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She isn't "missing." She’s just retired.
You’ve got to respect the boundary she’s drawn. In an era where every former child star is one Instagram post away from a reality TV comeback, Dey has remained steadfast. She hasn't participated in the Partridge Family reunions. She doesn’t do the nostalgia convention circuit. People often mistake her absence for bitterness, but those close to her suggest it's more about protection. Protection of her peace, her privacy, and her history.
Why She Stopped Talking to Hollywood
The "why" behind her disappearance usually points back to two major things: a deep need for privacy and a few very public betrayals.
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- The David Cassidy Factor: It’s no secret that Susan had a massive crush on her TV brother, David Cassidy, during their filming years. They eventually had a brief, ill-fated fling after the show ended. However, Cassidy famously "kissed and told" in his 1994 autobiography, sharing details that Susan found deeply hurtful and a total breach of trust. She reportedly hasn't spoken to him since, even skipping his funeral in 2017.
- The AA Leak: Susan has been open in the past about her struggles with alcoholism and her journey into sobriety. But when a tabloid "planted" an informant in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting she attended, she was rightfully furious. To her, that was the line. If even a room meant for recovery wasn't safe from the paparazzi, why bother being part of the industry at all?
From Teen Idol to Legal Powerhouse
Most people forget that Susan Dey is one of the few actors who successfully shed the "teen idol" skin. It’s almost impossible to do. But in 1986, she became Grace Van Owen on L.A. Law.
She wasn't just "the girl from the bus" anymore. She was a powerhouse. She was nominated for three Emmys and won a Golden Globe in 1989. She proved she had the range. But even after all that success, the grind of the industry seemed to wear on her. After a few more roles in the 90s and a guest spot on Third Watch in 2004, she just... stopped.
The Reality of Susan Dey Now 2024
If you're looking for a scandal, you're going to be disappointed. By all accounts, she spends her time on things that actually matter to her now:
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- Philanthropy: She has spent years as a board member for the Rape Treatment Center at UCLA Medical Center.
- Family: She’s a mother to her daughter, Sarah, from her first marriage to Lenny Hirshan.
- Anonymity: She enjoys the fact that she can walk down a street in a small town and just be "Susan," not "Laurie."
It’s easy to project a sense of sadness onto a star who leaves the limelight. We want them to stay forever young and forever available to us. But Susan Dey’s "disappearance" is actually a masterclass in self-care. She gave us 34 years of her life on screen. She doesn't owe anyone a 2024 selfie.
The Takeaway for Fans
If you're wondering how to support her or "see" her today, the best way is to appreciate the work she left behind.
- Watch L.A. Law: It’s recently hit streaming services and holds up remarkably well. Her performance is sharp, nuanced, and lightyears away from the "pretty girl" tropes of the 70s.
- Respect the Silence: If a celebrity tells the world they want privacy, the kindest thing a fan can do is give it to them.
- Legacy over Likes: Understand that her worth isn't tied to how much she shares on social media in 2024.
Susan Dey is living her best life, on her own terms, far away from the flashing lights. In a world that can’t stop talking, her silence is actually her greatest performance yet.
If you're looking to revisit her work, check out the remastered episodes of The Partridge Family or look for her 1977 film First Love—it’s a cult classic that shows a very different side of her early talent.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of classic TV, don't just wait for reunions. Support the legacy of stars like Susan Dey by advocating for the preservation of their work on digital platforms, ensuring their actual talent—not just their tabloid history—is what survives.