Susan Neidhart was born in Wenatchee, Washington, to George and Dorothy Brown Neidhart. Her family relocated to Palm Springs, California, in the 1940s, where she spent her childhood and teenage years.
As a student, Susan excelled in dance, art, and drama, and she developed a passion for the entertainment industry. She was heavily influenced by the stars who frequently visited Palm Canyon Drive, and she decided to pursue a career in the arts.
After graduating from Palm Springs High School, Susan was approached by a Hollywood agent on a Waikiki beach, who offered to represent her and help her secure roles in motion pictures. She signed with the agent's theatrical agency and began to appear in local theater productions.
Susan's first film role was in a half-hour television special with Steve Allen, and she quickly landed other TV roles. In 1963, she was chosen as a "Hollywood Deb Star," and she went on to appear in a number of films, including the romantic drama "Ride the Wild Surf" (1964),opposite Tab Hunter.
In the 1960s, Susan was under contract to American International Pictures and appeared in a number of films, including "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" (1957),which became her personal favorite. During this time, she also released several singles and toured the country to promote her music.
After her husband, James H. Nicholson, passed away, Susan became involved with the Variety Club of Southern California and helped raise funds to create the pediatric heart wing at UCLA Medical Center. She also took over Nicholson's production company and completed the production of two of his films, "The Legend of Hell House" (1973) and "Dirty Mary Crazy Larry" (1974),both of which were highly successful.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Susan remained involved in the film industry as a "silent partner" owner of about 40 Nicholson-produced motion pictures. She also acquired direct ownership of ten of these films, including "I Was a Teenage Werewolf."
In the 1980s, Susan returned to the recording studio and released the country-western song "Is This a Disco or a Honky Tonk?", which became a chart success. She then became involved in the figure skating world, joining a precision ice team at the Town Center ice rink in Palm Desert and competing in several amateur skating competitions, including the Adult Nationals in Las Vegas, where she placed first in the entertainment category.
