SUSAN SULLIVAN I'm So GRATEFUL

The Falcon Crest alum shares her thoughts on aging and her joy over life after cancer

- William Keck

On the 1980s primetime soap Falcon Crest, Susan Sullivan spent eight seasons battling against Jane Wyman for the vineyard as the righteous and nurturing Maggie Gioberti. Later, she showcased her comedy side as snooty, sophisticated socialites on Dharma & Greg and Castle. “I’ve got her in me,” Susan tells Closer of playing these merciless country club ladies.

More recently, Susan, 81, has taken on the role of lung cancer survivor. Having undergone successful surgery, the Emmy-nominated actress is now cancer free, with one lingering side effect: immense gratitude. “What it made me appreciate is that I’m on the short end of time, like the queen planning her funeral at the end of The Crown,” she explains. “I’m not afraid of dying at all. I’m afraid of decline.” In the spirit of making the most of every moment, Susan has launched a new project, the internet series What Friends Do, to celebrate the best things about our golden years.

Do you remember your first paying job?

Money was always an issue in our family. At age 13, I was teaching dancing school and making $30 a week. I worked all the way through high school and then started making real money when I worked as a Playboy Bunny during college.

When you started on Falcon Crest in 1981, Jane Wyman was the show’s grand older lady — although she was only 64!