Susan Strasberg was born on May 22, 1938, in New York City to Lee Strasberg, a renowned theatre director, and Paula Strasberg, a former actress. She grew up in a family deeply rooted in the performing arts, with her brother John becoming an acting coach.

Susan Strasberg attended the Professional Children's School, the High School of Music & Art, and the High School of Performing Arts. She also did some modeling before making her mark on Broadway.

Her acting career began at the age of 14 with an off-Broadway performance in "Maya" in 1953. Her television debut came the same year in an episode of "Goodyear Playhouse" titled "Catch a Falling Star".

She made her film debut in "The Cobweb" (1955) and gained widespread acclaim for her role as the younger sister of Kim Novak in "Picnic" (1955). However, it was her portrayal of Anne Frank in the Broadway production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" that truly established her as a star, earning her a Tony Award nomination at the age of 18.

Throughout her career, Susan Strasberg appeared in numerous films, including "Stage Struck" (1958), "Kapo" (1959), "Scream of Fear" (1961), and "The Brotherhood" (1968). She also had a close professional relationship with playwright Tennessee Williams, starring in several of his productions. In the 1980s, her career shifted towards slasher and horror films, followed by television roles.

Susan Strasberg was married to actor Christopher Jones from 1965 to 1968, and they had one daughter, Jennifer Robin Jones. She was a close friend of Marilyn Monroe and Richard Burton and wrote two best-selling tell-all books about her experiences in Hollywood.

Sadly, Susan Strasberg passed away on January 21, 1999, at the age of 60, after a battle with breast cancer.