Influential Woman · Television writing and media
Susan ann Silver
Retired - TV Writer and Author, Television writing and media
Ny, NY 10021
Her Story
About Susan
Susan Silver is a retired television writer, author, radio commentator, and media personality with a distinguished career spanning more than five decades. She began her professional journey in television, writing for acclaimed sitcoms including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Newhart, and Maude, as well as numerous movies of the week. Her extensive experience in television and entertainment also led to appearances on programs such as The Today Show and Good Day New York. She studied journalism at Northwestern University before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from UCLA, with a minor in psychology. In 2017, Susan published her memoir, Hot Pants in Hollywood: Sex, Secrets & Sitcoms, which chronicles her experiences in the entertainment industry and offers an insightful and humorous look at Hollywood, television, and the people she encountered throughout her career. Following a nationwide book tour, she created an audiobook version and has spoken about the themes of “The Three R’s: Resilience, Reinvention, and Relationships,” combining lessons from her memoir with entertaining show business stories, practical insights, and humor. She also has a weekly radio commentary through her podcast " Susan Says" on Libsyn and Spotify, discussing politics, media, culture, and current issues. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Susan has been committed to advocacy, philanthropy, and community involvement. She has volunteered with the Simon Wiesenthal Center and supported the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, sponsoring Israeli soldiers pursuing higher education and contributing to the establishment of a rehabilitation room at an elite air base. Now retired, Susan continues to draw on her extensive experience, resilience, and unique perspective through writing, storytelling, humor, and public speaking.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Susan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of timing, passion, resilience, reinvention and relationships. I entered the field at an opportune time when there was a growing need for women writers, and I was passionate about my work and eager to continue learning, train speakers and engage with young people. Throughout my career, resilience and the willingness to reinvent myself and pursue new passions every 20 years have been essential to my growth. Above all, I believe relationships are the most important foundation of success, both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to be confident enough to listen, participate and make my voice heard while remaining open to learning from others. I have also learned the importance of seeking out good people to work with, building a strong support system and finding mentors who can offer guidance, encouragement and perspective throughout my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to embrace the three R’s: resilience, reinvention and relationships. Build the resilience to navigate challenges, remain open to reinventing yourself throughout your career and continue exploring new passions to stay motivated and inspired. Most importantly, invest in meaningful relationships and seek out mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement and support. There will be challenges along the way, but stay committed, remain adaptable and hang in there.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
When I began my career, one of the biggest challenges was navigating a male-dominated industry as a woman. Today, however, ageism has become a significant concern, as many professionals face barriers based on age and may struggle to receive the same opportunities or even secure a meeting. Addressing these biases and creating more inclusive workplaces that value experience, expertise and diverse perspectives remains both a challenge and an important opportunity for the industry.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, empathy, loyalty and a good sense of humor. Honesty comes first because I believe in always telling the truth and being genuine in my interactions with others. I also value empathy and the ability to understand and appreciate different perspectives, as well as loyalty in the relationships I build. Finally, I believe a sense of humor is essential for maintaining perspective and bringing positivity to both professional and personal experiences.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.