Meet Susan Huckle | Actor/Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Huckle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, can you tell us about an impactful book you’ve read and why you liked it or what impact it had on you?
I was profoundly moved by Educated by Tara Westover. While her upbringing was far more extreme than mine, I never read a book I related to so deeply: a rigid, sheltered fundamentalist childhood, all the questioning and growing that happens after exposure to the greater world, and navigating family relationships throughout. It’s part of what inspired me to write my story. I just finished the manuscript and look forward to taking the next steps with it. Working title: The Earth is Flat, and Other Things My Mother Taught Me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Since moving to L.A. after college in 2007, I’ve pursued acting and found a niche in playing larger-than-life characters in premiers of new musicals and comedies, commercials, and a little television. I was lucky enough to host a long-running show about special effects at Universal Studios Hollywood, and a career highlight was playing Inga in Young Frankenstein with Mel Brooks in the audience (he came backstage after and raved about seeing his big show in our tiny space, haha). It’s cliche, but it’s hard to not let constant rejection get you down. You have to harbor this unwavering belief in yourself no matter how long it’s been since a booking and trust that something will come if you keep working hard and responding to industry changes.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I LOVE showing people my city! L.A. instantly felt like home. My typical route for out-of-towners includes the must-see Hollywood spots (the sign, Walk of Fame, Hollywood/Vine, Sunset Blvd) then taking Mulholland Dr. for spectacular views over into iconic Beverly Hills/Rodeo Dr. (stopping perhaps at Jon & Vinny’s). On another day, I would show off my favorite: the beach! A scenic drive on PCH in Malibu (with a stop at Neptune’s Net or Malibu Seafood) all the way to Santa Monica or beyond never disappoints. I love taking my bike to the path that stretches from Pacific Palisades all the way to Torrance. I’d make sure we see a great piece of theatre (at the Pantages or Ahmanson) and/or music (at the Hollywood Bowl of course).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My fiancée Paul Preston makes me feel loved and valued every single day, whether it’s sending me an Onion article to cackle over or a new outdoorsy spot for us to check out. His love of life and embrace of all things FUN keeps me from succumbing to the melancholy side of life, which I ponder more as I age. As complicated as my relationship with my parents was (and whose isn’t?), I owe them a tremendous thank you for never telling me I couldn’t pursue what I wanted and financially assisting me with college. Finally, I’ve been performing at Universal Studios Hollywood since 2009, and I always leave happier than I arrived thanks to my talented, hilarious, supportive co-workers.

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