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Susan Ruttan

Susan Ruttan

Actor · Born September 16, 1948 (78) · Oregon City, Oregon, USA

Susan Ruttan is an actress.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 16, 1948 (78)
From
Oregon City, Oregon, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
60 on MovieCove · 99 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 64 days to Oct 27Down 48% in 30 days

What are Susan Ruttan's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
29%
Bonds
25%
Self
14%
Survival
12%
Power
10%
Society
10%
Justice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 23 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 15 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 15 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 16 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 11 · Affecting 8 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 4
Mentor
2 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Warm
11
Melancholic
6
Contemplative
6
Bittersweet
5
Other
18

How their films linger

Hopeful13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet12
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Susan Ruttan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 43 of their 60 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Susan Ruttan's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

99 credits, 60 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • House Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Myerson

  • Woodstockers(2026)

    as Lizzy

  • The Addiction of Hope(2025)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • A Man on the Inside(2024)

    Show 5 episodes · as Gladys Montrose

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Sprung(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Lorraine

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Retrospective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Gary's Mother

  • United States of Al(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mrs. Foster

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Viral Vignettes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Patricia

  • Bob Hearts Abishola(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Clark

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Weird City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Linda Maxsome

  • 9-1-1(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Sandy

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Good Doctor(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as May

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • American Vandal(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Patricia McClain

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Come Simi(2015)

    as Jeannie

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Quota (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Lucy

  • The Grim Sleeper(2014)

    as Debra Gerngross

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • I Didn't Do It(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Ada

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Mom(2013)

    Show 3 episodes · as Lucy

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Common Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul's Mother

  • Grimm(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Betty Frame

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Shameless(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Sister Mary Luke

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Good Luck Charlie(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mrs. Dobbs

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Dead Air(2009)

    as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Forgotten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · as Horsemama

  • Donna on Demand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Rose

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Pike

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Prayers for Bobby(2009)

    as Betty Lambert

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Half-Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Lorraine Parker

  • Private Practice(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Nora

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • You Did What? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Mom

  • The Legend of Butch & Sundance(2004)

    as Mrs. Place

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Hannah Montana(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Grandma

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Blakelock

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Swork

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeanie Biddle

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • CSI: NY(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Moreland

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Helter Skelter(2004)

    as Mrs. Kasabian

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Sure Hand of God(2004)

    as Lucy Trotter

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Samantha Delfino

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Ledsky

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • L.A. Law: The Movie(2002)

    as Roxanne Melman

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Agency (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Barnes

  • The Division (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Evans

  • The Ultimate Christmas Present(2000)

    as Mrs. Claus

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Gilmore Girls(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Bed & Breakfast Wife

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Strong Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Offenbach

  • Love Kills (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Lela

  • Popular (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 3 episodes · as Joy Ferrara

  • Family Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Hairstylist's Angry Client

  • Judging Amy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Lyla Myles

  • Life of the Party: The Pamela Harriman Story(1998)

    as Janet

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Krippendorf's Tribe(1998)

    as Mrs. O'Brian

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Doris Kroeger

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Touched By Evil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Madge Jaynes

  • Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance(1996)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Suddenly Susan(1996)

    Show 3 episodes · as Nectarine Stites

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • Justice for Annie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Helen Preston

  • 3rd Rock from the Sun(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Cathy

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Jack Reed: A Killer Among Us(1996)

    as Arlene

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Jack Reed: One of Our Own(1995)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Jack Reed: A Search for Justice(1994)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Joanne Peters · as Mrs. Donovan

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Linda Fortin

  • Jack Reed: Badge of Honor(1993)

    as Arlene Reed

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Without Warning: Terror in the Towers(1993)

    as Anne Marie Tesoriero

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Bride Of Killer Nerd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Extra

  • Deadly Matrimony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Arlene Reed

  • Deadly Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Genene Jones

  • A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Fire and Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Sandra Thompson

  • A Quiet Little Neighborhood, a Perfect Little Murder(1990)

    as Judy Hecker

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Funny About Love(1990)

    as Claire

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Sweet 15(1990)

    as Mrs. Zavala

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Chances Are(1989)

    as Woman in the Bookstore

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Take My Daughters, Please(1988)

    as Courtney

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bad Dreams(1988)

    as Miriam

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Bay Coven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Debbi McGwin

  • Under the Influence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Ms. Morgan

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 149 episodes · as Roxanne Melman

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • L.A. Law: Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Roxanne Melman

  • Murder: By Reason of Insanity(1985)

    as Judge M. Tyson

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • What's Happening Now!! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Do You Remember Love(1985)

    as Julie

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Kicks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Rosemary

  • Bad Manners(1984)

    as Biker

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Scorned and Swindled (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Margie

  • Second Sight: A Love Story(1984)

    as Robin

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Blake

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • AfterMASH (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · as Doris Gardena

  • Packin' It In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mrs. Estep

  • Thursday's Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Portsmouth Nurse

  • Independence Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Nurse

  • Newhart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Sarah

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Miss Livermore

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Drop-Out Father(1982)

    as Woman Prude

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Bosom Buddies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Jeffersons(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Portsmouth Nurse

  • Lost with You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Betty

Career shape

Star power in the 88th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 99 titles, 98 of them dated from 1951 to 2026; peak year 2009.

Biggest box office

Chances Are (1989)

$16M worldwide

Highest rated

Prayers for Bobby (2009)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

L.A. Law (1986)

Film career

19512026

Peak 2009 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting99 of 99: 99 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score52nd

By decade

1950s1 · acting1970s1 · acting1980s23 · acting1990s27 · acting2000s24 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s8 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Susan Ruttan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of the 29 of 30 with a score; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 38th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 59 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 59 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic6
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

The Addiction of Hope (2025)

94th percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Prayers for Bobby (2009)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Susan Ruttan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Susan Ruttan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Brian Dennehy shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers