Bunny Summers


Bunny Summers was an American character actress known for her work in stage and screen productions from the 1940s through the 1990s. Active in both professional and community theater, she was a frequent performer in Los Angeles-area productions and later appeared in regional theaters across the United States. Her screen credits include roles in The Last Starfighter, Re-Animator, From Beyond, and Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders.

Early life

Bunny Summers was born Bernice Siegel on February 23, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York. She began performing at the age of 13 on the Borscht Belt circuit in New York, an early proving ground for many American entertainers.
By the early 1960s, she had relocated to Sherman Oaks, California, where she raised three daughters and became active in local theater. She was known professionally as Bunny Summers, but was often credited in community roles as Mrs. Ben Sussman.

Theater career

Summers gained prominence in Los Angeles's theater scene throughout the 1960s and 1970s. In 1965, she starred as a teacher in Dear Me, the Sky Is Falling at the Players Ring-Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, a performance highlighted in the Los Angeles Times and other Valley newspapers.
In July 1973, she played the lead role of Minnie Marx in the West Coast premiere of Minnie's Boys, a musical based on the early life of the Marx Brothers. The production took place at the Academy Theatre in Chatsworth, California, and featured Summers prominently in promotional materials and reviews.
Summers continued acting on stage throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including a performance in Come Blow Your Horn at the 565 Broadway Dinner Theater in Tacoma, Washington, in 1979.
In 1991, she portrayed Golde in Fiddler on the Roof at the Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida, opposite Marty Ross as Tevye. Though one critic noted limitations in her singing voice, her stage presence was praised.
In 1998, her appearance in Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders was promoted in UK television listings, with her name among the lead cast.
Her television credits reportedly include guest roles on popular shows such as Family Ties, Seinfeld, Married... with Children, The Facts of Life, Saved by the Bell, and ALF.

Personal life

Bunny Summers was married and known socially as Mrs. Ben Sussman. She was an active member of the Cadenzas, the women's auxiliary of the San Fernando Valley Symphony Association, and often participated in benefit performances for local arts organizations.

Death

Summers died on September 9, 2010, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles. She is interred at Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills, California.

Filmography

Film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1966Petticoat JunctionSadie Prentiss / Mrs. Hennessy2 episodes
1967LaredoAmy Bergstrom1 episode
1969The Ghost & Mrs. MuirPTA Member1 episode, uncredited
1969–1971The Doris Day ShowLucy James / Woman #2 / Harriet3 episodes
1970Dan AugustWoman in Bowling Alley1 episode
1971That GirlWardrobe Lady1 episode
1976The Feather and Father GangMrs. Van Owen1 episode
1976GradyMrs. Gordon1 episode
1977BarettaSweet Anne1 episode
1980Palmerstown, U.S.A.–1 episode
1980Portrait of a Rebel: The Remarkable Mrs. SangerRoseTV movie
1980–1982The Facts of LifeHill / Matron2 episodes
1981Quincy, M.E.Marie1 episode
1981Stand by Your ManMrs. WatkinsTV movie
1981One Day at a TimeLady1 episode
1981ChoicesLady in PharmacyTV movie
1982Cagney & LaceyMrs. Nolan1 episode
1982Crisis Counselor–1 episode
1982SkeezerSallyTV movie
1983ManimalPudgy Lady1 episode
1983Gimme a Break!–1 episode
1984AliceCustomer No. 21 episode
1984MasqueradeWoman1 episode
1984Night CourtCafeteria Cashier1 episode
1985SaraMrs. Ferguson1 episode
1985Hardcastle and McCormickRuth1 episode
1986ALFBunny1 episode
1986Perfect StrangersLou's Mother1 episode
1986CrossingsMaidTV miniseries
1986MoonlightingBridal Candidate1 episode
1983–1988Family TiesBarbara / Customer #1 / Mrs. Binney4 episodes
1987Who's the Boss?Mrs. Cassio1 episode
1987Easy StreetMillicent1 episode
1987The New Mike HammerRuth McLaughlin1 episode
1988Starting from ScratchMiss Flutter2 episodes
1988Favorite SonDolores3 episodes, miniseries
1989Married... with ChildrenMrs. Wicker1 episode
1989Saved by the BellMrs. Cummings1 episode
1990Knots LandingDirector1 episode
1990FaithBag Lady1 episode
1990Empty NestNina Feldman1 episode
1990NewhartNanny1 episode
1990Singer & SonsMrs. Drepner1 episode
1991The AntagonistsOlder Woman1 episode
1990–1991True ColorsMarge4 episodes
1992Civil WarsSadie Mestman1 episode
1995The Parent 'HoodMrs. Dumont1 episode
1995Maybe This TimeFarrah1 episode
1997SeinfeldRider1 episode
1997Alright AlreadyBunny1 episode
1998EllenMom1 episode
2000NormLarge Woman1 episode
2000Senior HouseSenior #213 episodes, voice
2000Time of Your LifeWoman1 episode
2000That's LifeSenior #21 episode
2001KristinSadie Leperman1 episode
2001Virtually CaseyMrs. DespioTV movie
2001FreakyLinksSara1 episode
2003Audrey's RainWidow #1TV movie
2004Happy FamilyGladys1 episode

Stage credits

  • Dear Me, the Sky Is Falling – Players Ring-Gallery Theatre, Hollywood
  • Minnie's Boys – Minnie Marx, Academy Theatre, Chatsworth
  • Come Blow Your Horn – 565 Broadway Dinner Theater, Tacoma
  • Fiddler on the Roof – Golde, Jupiter Theatre, Florida