Susan Stafford

Susan Stafford (born October 13, 1945) a former model, television and film star, she was best known as the original hostess of the popular American game show Wheel of Fortune from January 6, 1975 until she left on October 22, 1982. She also returned briefly in 1986 to substitute for current wheel co-host Vanna White.

Early life

Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Susan grew up in Missouri, started winning beauty contests as a teenager in Kansas City where her modeling career began. Susan moved to California and enjoyed success in co-starring roles in major television series and a couple of motion pictures.

Stafford married radio pioneer Gordon McLendon in 1973, and was then briefly married to Dick Ebersol of NBC Sports and former producer of Saturday Night Live in the 1980s. Ebersol and Stafford were married on a beach in Malibu. Their wedding was attended by the likes of John Belushi, Chevy Chase, and SNL producer Lorne Michaels. After they exchanged vows, Chase jokingly grabbed Stafford and threw her into the ocean. Stafford later became involved with game show producer Dan Enright. At the time, she was also Vice President of Public Relations of Barry & Enright Productions.

After leaving the show, Stafford earned a B.A. in Nutrition and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the unaccredited Pacific Western University. During this time, Stafford made a brief return to television in 1988 as host of Alive, which aired on the Christian Broadcasting Network and in limited syndication. In 2003, Stafford made her first game show appearance since Wheel, modeling the prizes for Hollywood Squares Game Show Week (Part 2).

Walk of Stars- Golden Palm

In 2005, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to her.

External links

• Susan Stafford's Home Page
• Susan Stafford at the Internet Movie Database

Media offices
Preceded by New creation	Wheel of Fortune Hostess 1975–1982	Succeeded by Vanna White