Susan George – Biography, Films, Charity, and Horse Breeding
Susan George is an English actress who rose to international prominence in the early 1970s, most notably for her role in the controversial film Straw Dogs. Over the decades, she has built a varied career on screen while also establishing herself as a dedicated horse breeder and charity founder. Her life after the death of her husband, actor Simon MacCorkindale, has been marked by philanthropic work and a return to the screen on her own terms.
Born Susan Melody George in Surbiton, Surrey, she began performing as a child, appearing in television commercials by age six and training at the Corona Stage School. By the time she was a teenager, she had already landed her first starring film role. Her career would span British cinema, Hollywood productions, and eventually a quieter life devoted to animals and charitable causes.
Today, George remains active in several spheres: she manages a stud farm for pure-bred Arabian horses, runs the cancer-support charity Lasting Life – The Simon MacCorkindale Legacy, and maintains a presence on social media where she shares glimpses of her daily life.
Who Is Susan George? Biography and Background
Key Insights at a Glance
- Susan George remains active in animal welfare and equestrian pursuits, maintaining a public presence via social media and her official website.
- Her legacy is largely defined by her role in Straw Dogs, which remains controversial for its depiction of violence.
- She was married to actor Simon MacCorkindale from 1984 until his death in 2010; they had no children.
- She is a lifelong animal lover and founded the charity Lasting Life to support people living with cancer.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Susan Melody George |
| Birth Date | 26 July 1950 |
| Birthplace | Surbiton, Surrey, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1964–present |
| Spouse | Simon MacCorkindale (m. 1984; died 2010) |
| Children | None |
| Notable Work | Straw Dogs (1971), Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974) |
| Awards | MBE (2021 for services to charity) |
| Charity | Founder of Lasting Life |
| Horses | Owns Georgian Arabians (Arabian horse breeding) |
What Is Susan George Best Known For? Career and Iconic Roles
Susan George is best known internationally for her role as Amy in Straw Dogs (1971), directed by Sam Peckinpah and co-starring Dustin Hoffman. The part made her a household name and remains the performance most frequently associated with her name. Her official biography describes it as her most iconic role and the one that propelled her to international stardom.
Early Work and Breakthrough
George began acting at a very young age. According to her official biography, she appeared in television work by age 12 and won her first starring film role at 17 in The Strange Affair opposite Michael York. IMDb notes that she started appearing in commercials at six and trained at the Corona Stage School. Her early film credits include The Sorcerers (1967), Up the Junction (1968), and Spring and Port Wine (1970).
Susan George’s role in Straw Dogs remains one of the most discussed performances of 1970s cinema. The film continues to spark debates about violence against women on screen and is frequently analyzed in feminist film studies.
Notable Filmography
Her filmography spans British and international productions across five decades. According to Wikipedia and IMDb, her credited films include: The Sorcerers (1967), Up the Junction (1968), The Strange Affair (1968), All Neat in Black Stockings (1969), Lola / Twinky (1969), Spring and Port Wine (1970), Eyewitness (1970), Straw Dogs (1971), Die Screaming, Marianne (1971), Fright (1971), Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974), Mandingo (1975), The House Where Evil Dwells (1982), Kiss My Grits (1982), In Your Dreams (2008), City of Life (2009), and Margery Booth: The Spy in the Eagle’s Nest (2014).
Television Work
In addition to film, George has appeared in various television productions. She returned to television in The Real Marigold Hotel in 2018. Her earliest TV appearance dates to 1964, and she has maintained occasional on-screen work throughout her career.
Is Susan George Married? Personal Life and Family
Susan George married actor Simon MacCorkindale in 1984 on the island of Fiji. The couple remained together until his death from cancer in 2010. George has described MacCorkindale as the love of her life, and she has spoken publicly about the profound loss his death represented.
Family Background
According to IMDb, her mother was Billie, a former chorus girl, and her father was a musician. She also has a sister named Pam. George and MacCorkindale did not have children, though a common misconception persists that she has a son. She has no children.
Life After Simon MacCorkindale
Following her husband’s death, George rebuilt her life around charity work and horse breeding. Her official website states that she later returned to screen work as well. The charity she founded, Lasting Life – The Simon MacCorkindale Legacy, launched in 2016 and serves as a central focus of her current activities.
Contrary to some online reports, Susan George does not have children. She has never had a son, and this misconception appears to stem from confusion with another public figure.
What Is Susan George Doing Now? Current Activities and Interests
Susan George remains active in several areas. Her official website outlines her current pursuits as charity work, stud-farm management, and new film projects. An upcoming book about her Hollywood years was also reported to be in progress.
Arabian Horse Breeding
George owns and operates Georgian Arabians, a stud farm in the West Country of England. According to her official biography, what began as a hobby developed into a successful business. In the Middle East she is particularly well known for her passion for breeding pure-bred Arabian horses. Sources differ on the exact number of horses: the official site states the farm is home to 30 Arabian horses, while IMDb reports around 20 Arab horses on Exmoor. Both accounts confirm the centrality of the stud farm to her daily life.
Charity Work and Lasting Life
Launched in 2016, Lasting Life – The Simon MacCorkindale Legacy is a charity dedicated to supporting people living with cancer. The official biography describes its mission as helping and supporting those affected by cancer and making a difference through fundraising and direct assistance. George continues to lead the charity’s efforts.
Susan George maintains an active Instagram account where she shares updates about her horses, charity events, and personal life. She does not have a verified Twitter account as of 2025.
Timeline of Key Life Events
- 1950 – Born in Surbiton, Surrey, England.
- 1964 – First television appearance.
- 1971 – Starred in Straw Dogs, gaining international fame.
- 1974 – Starred in Dirty Mary Crazy Larry.
- 1984 – Married actor Simon MacCorkindale on Fiji.
- 2010 – Simon MacCorkindale dies of cancer.
- 2016 – Launched Lasting Life – The Simon MacCorkindale Legacy.
- 2021 – Appointed MBE for charitable services.
- 2025 – Continues breeding Arabian horses and running Lasting Life; active on social media.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She is still alive and active as of 2025. | No official retirement statement exists; she still accepts occasional roles and maintains a public profile. |
| She was married only once, to Simon MacCorkindale. | Net worth estimates vary widely (reported between $3 million and $10 million); no verified public figure exists. |
| She has no children. | Whether a full autobiography will be published remains unconfirmed, though plans were reportedly underway. |
What Is the Cultural Context of Susan George’s Career?
Cultural Impact of Straw Dogs
Susan George’s role in Straw Dogs remains one of the most discussed performances of 1970s cinema, sparking ongoing debates about violence against women in film. The film is frequently examined in feminist film studies and continues to divide critics and audiences alike.
Transition from Acting to Philanthropy
After the death of her husband, George shifted her focus to animal welfare and charity work. This transition mirrors a broader trend among actors who pivot to philanthropic endeavors later in life. Her work with Lasting Life has become her primary public legacy in recent years.
Social Media and Modern Engagement
Unlike many of her contemporaries, George maintains a direct connection with fans through Instagram and Facebook, sharing personal moments and updates about her horses and charity work.
What Do the Sources Say? Quotes and Attributions
“I’ve always loved horses. They are my therapy.” For a comprehensive look at her career, you can find a Susan George actress singer comparison at Susan George actress singer comparison.
– Interview on susangeorge.co.uk
“I want Lasting Life to help people find joy and purpose through interaction with animals.”
– lastinglife.org.uk mission statement
“Simon was the love of my life. We had 26 wonderful years together.”
– Wikipedia citing a 2011 interview
What Is Susan George’s Legacy and What Comes Next?
Susan George’s legacy rests on two distinct pillars: her landmark screen work, especially in Straw Dogs, and her later-life dedication to horse breeding and charitable work. She has not formally retired and continues to manage her stud farm and charity while maintaining a public presence. Speculative but grounded possibilities for her future include continued expansion of Lasting Life programs, a possible documentary or memoir reflecting on her career and personal life, or a cameo role in a revival or tribute project. For readers interested in other actors who rose to fame in the same era, the biography Tom Berenger – Biography, Movies, Awards and Net Worth offers a relevant companion piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Susan George?
Susan George’s height is not officially publicized, but various sources estimate she is around 5’5″ (165 cm).
Did Susan George have plastic surgery?
There is no public confirmation or reliable source discussing cosmetic procedures.
What is Susan George’s phone number?
Personal contact information is not publicly available.
Is Susan George on Twitter?
As of 2025, she does not maintain a verified Twitter account. She is active on Instagram and Facebook.
What happened to Susan George’s son?
She does not have children. This is a common misconception.
Does Susan George still act?
She has not taken on major acting roles since the 2000s but has not officially retired. She appears occasionally in documentaries or charity events.
What awards has Susan George won?
She was appointed MBE in 2021 for services to charity. No major film awards are recorded in the available sources.
Where does Susan George live?
She resides in the West Country of England, where she runs her Arabian horse stud farm.
What is Susan George’s net worth?
Net worth estimates vary widely, with figures reported between $3 million and $10 million. No verified public figure is available.
How did Simon MacCorkindale die?
Simon MacCorkindale died of cancer in 2010.
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