Susan Blanchard stands at a fascinating crossroads of Broadway, Hollywood, and American high society. Although she has often been recognized because of the remarkable people around her, her own story deserves attention. I find her life especially compelling because it spans nearly a century of cultural change while connecting some of the most influential families in entertainment.
From becoming the stepdaughter of legendary lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II to marrying acclaimed actors Henry Fonda and Richard Widmark, Susan Blanchard experienced history from the front row. Yet she consistently maintained a private identity that separated her from the celebrity spotlight.
Basic Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Susan Blanchard (born Susan Jacobson) |
| Birth Date | March 8, 1928 |
| Birthplace | New York, United States |
| Parents | Dorothy Kiaora Blanchard and Henry Jacobson |
| Stepfather | Oscar Hammerstein II |
| Education | The Shipley School, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Socialite, former lyricist, theatrical producer, gallery owner |
| Known For | Hammerstein family connections, marriages to Henry Fonda and Richard Widmark |
| Children | Amy Fishman (adopted), Marc Wager Weisgal |
| Current Status | Living privately |
Early Life and Childhood
Susan Blanchard entered the world on March 8, 1928, in New York as Susan Jacobson. Her parents were Dorothy Kiaora Blanchard, an Australian born actress who later became an accomplished interior designer, and businessman Henry Jacobson.
Her early years changed dramatically in 1929. Following her parents’ divorce, Susan adopted her mother’s surname and became known as Susan Blanchard. That same year, Dorothy married Oscar Hammerstein II, forever changing the family’s place in American cultural history.
Growing up inside the Hammerstein household meant living in an environment where creativity was as natural as breathing. Music, theater, literature, and artistic conversation filled everyday life. The home became a workshop where ideas blossomed into Broadway classics.
Susan also attended The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, where she received an education that matched the intellectual atmosphere surrounding her family.
Parents Who Shaped Her Life
Susan inherited influences from two very different parents.
Her mother, Dorothy Kiaora Blanchard Hammerstein, was born on June 7, 1899, in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. She first worked as an actress before building an impressive career in interior design. Her business, Dorothy Hammerstein Inc., attracted clients across both the East and West Coasts of the United States.
Dorothy also devoted significant time to charitable work. She helped establish Welcome House, an adoption organization that supported children of Asian American parentage. She additionally served on the board of the Dance Theater of Harlem.
Her father, Henry Jacobson, remained largely outside public attention. He worked as a New York businessman, and relatively little information about his professional or personal life has become publicly available.
Together, these two parental influences gave Susan both business awareness and artistic appreciation.
Becoming Part of the Hammerstein Dynasty
Susan’s life was completely changed in 1929 when Dorothy Blanchard married Oscar Hammerstein II.
Oscar Hammerstein II was already establishing a reputation that would eventually rank him among the best librettists and lyricists on Broadway. Susan joined one of the most powerful theatrical families in America as his stepdaughter as a result of their union.
Living with Hammerstein meant seeing incredible artistic accomplishments come to life. During this time, productions that would go down as timeless classics were penned. Artists, musicians, playwrights, and performers were drawn to the home, and their discussions helped shape American musical theater.
Susan’s family grew as well.
Henry Samuel Jacobson Jr., who was born on April 27, 1926, was her full brother.
James Blanchard Hammerstein, her maternal half-brother, was born on March 23, 1931, and went on to become a well-known producer and theatrical director.
Through Oscar Hammerstein II’s first marriage, she also became the stepsister of William and Alice Hammerstein.
The Hammerstein family stood for much more than just well-known figures. Beginning with Oscar Hammerstein I, whose theater empire shaped New York’s entertainment area, and continuing through Oscar Hammerstein II’s innovative partnerships that revolutionized Broadway, their influence spanned generations.
A Brief Experience on Broadway
Although Susan never pursued the same legendary theatrical career as her stepfather, she did appear on Broadway.
During the 1944 and 1945 season, she received a performer credit as a Lady of Fashion in Seven Lively Arts.
Public information about her later theatrical work remains limited. She has also been described as a lyricist and theatrical producer, though relatively few documented production credits have survived.
Rather than becoming a household theatrical figure herself, Susan’s role remained quieter, supporting artistic communities behind the scenes.
Marriage to Henry Fonda
One of the most widely discussed chapters of Susan’s life began on December 27 or 28, 1950.
At only 22 years old, she married acclaimed actor Henry Fonda. The wedding took place at the Hammerstein family home in New York.
Their marriage followed a difficult period in Fonda’s life after the death of his previous wife, Frances Ford Seymour.
During their marriage, Susan and Henry adopted a daughter, Amy Fishman, in 1953.
Susan also became stepmother to Jane Fonda and Peter Fonda.
Years later, Jane Fonda reflected warmly on Susan’s role within the family. She credited Susan with demonstrating kindness and maturity as a stepmother, offering an example that remained meaningful long afterward.
Peter Fonda also remembered the emotional impact surrounding his father’s divorce from Susan in May 1956.
Although the marriage lasted only about five years, it became an important chapter in the history of the Fonda family.
Later Marriages and Family Life
Susan’s second marriage came in 1962 when she married actor Michael Wager.
Together they welcomed a son, Marc Wager Weisgal.
Marc developed an impressive career in music. He became a composer, arranger, guitarist, producer, and owner of Roxbury Station recording studio in Connecticut. He also studied at both the Manhattan School of Music and Berklee College of Music.
Growing up inside a family connected to Oscar Hammerstein II naturally immersed Marc in music and theater from childhood.
Susan and Michael Wager divorced around 1970.
In 1971, Susan married Charles Douglas Ades. Public information regarding this marriage remains limited, and it eventually ended in divorce.
Her final marriage came in 1999 when she married acclaimed actor Richard Widmark.
Widmark was one of Hollywood’s most respected dramatic actors. Susan remained his wife until his death on March 24, 2008.
Through this marriage, she also became stepmother to Anne Heath Widmark.
Susan Blanchard’s Children
Susan’s family includes two publicly documented children.
Amy Fishman
Amy Fishman was adopted by Susan Blanchard and Henry Fonda in 1953.
She has consistently maintained a private life outside public attention.
Despite avoiding publicity, Amy remained an important member of the extended Fonda family and shared in Henry Fonda’s estate alongside his final wife.
Marc Wager Weisgal
Marc Wager Weisgal followed a creative path inspired by generations of artistic relatives.
His work spans composing, arranging, music production, and performance.
His family heritage combines remarkable influences from Broadway through Oscar Hammerstein II and from acting through his father Michael Wager.
Interior Design and Artistic Interests
Susan’s professional life extended beyond theater.
Several accounts describe her as an accomplished interior decorator in New York.
She also reportedly established the Susan Blanchard Gallery, which focused on promoting women artists. At a time when many female artists struggled for equal recognition, this effort reflected a meaningful commitment to expanding artistic opportunities.
Her work echoed the example set by her mother, whose own interior design career had flourished for decades.
Living Outside the Spotlight
Despite her remarkable family tree, Susan consistently avoided becoming a celebrity herself.
Unlike many people connected to Hollywood royalty, she rarely sought interviews or public appearances.
There is little public information regarding her finances, personal investments, or business activities beyond her artistic interests.
After Richard Widmark’s passing in 2008, Susan continued living privately, making few public appearances throughout the following decades.
As of 2026, she remains one of the few living individuals whose life directly connects Broadway’s golden age with classic Hollywood.
Family Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1928 | Susan Jacobson born in New York |
| 1929 | Mother marries Oscar Hammerstein II |
| 1944 | Broadway appearance in Seven Lively Arts |
| 1950 | Marries Henry Fonda |
| 1953 | Adopts daughter Amy Fishman |
| 1956 | Divorces Henry Fonda |
| 1962 | Marries Michael Wager |
| 1960s | Birth of son Marc Wager Weisgal |
| 1971 | Marries Charles Douglas Ades |
| 1999 | Marries Richard Widmark |
| 2008 | Widowed following Richard Widmark’s death |
| 2026 | Living privately at age 98 |
The Remarkable Hammerstein Family Legacy
In the annals of American entertainment, the Hammerstein family holds a special place.
In the late nineteenth century, Oscar Hammerstein I constructed theaters and increased opera’s appeal around New York.
Before Oscar Hammerstein II transformed musical theater via memorable partnerships that combined music, narrative, and character into a cohesive creative experience, his son William Hammerstein continued to run prosperous theaters.
Through her mother’s marriage, Susan joined this extraordinary family and developed enduring bonds with William Hammerstein, Alice Hammerstein Mathias, and James Blanchard Hammerstein.
James went on to have a prosperous career as a director and producer, carrying on the family’s theatrical legacy for a new generation.
The impact of Hammerstein extended well beyond ancestry. It developed into a common culture of creative brilliance, innovation, and mentoring that accepted stepchildren as true family members.
FAQ
Who is Susan Blanchard?
Susan Blanchard is an American socialite, former lyricist, theatrical producer, and gallery owner. She is widely known as the stepdaughter of Oscar Hammerstein II, the former wife of Henry Fonda, and the widow of Richard Widmark.
When was Susan Blanchard born?
She was born on March 8, 1928, in New York.
Who were Susan Blanchard’s parents?
Her parents were Dorothy Kiaora Blanchard, an Australian born actress and interior designer, and New York businessman Henry Jacobson.
How is Susan Blanchard related to Oscar Hammerstein II?
Oscar Hammerstein II became her stepfather after marrying her mother, Dorothy, in 1929.
Did Susan Blanchard have children?
Yes. She adopted daughter Amy Fishman with Henry Fonda and later had a son, Marc Wager Weisgal, with actor Michael Wager.
Who were Susan Blanchard’s husbands?
She married Henry Fonda, Michael Wager, Charles Douglas Ades, and Richard Widmark.
Was Susan Blanchard involved in Broadway?
Yes. She appeared in the 1944 and 1945 Broadway revue Seven Lively Arts and was also associated with lyric writing and theatrical production.
What is Susan Blanchard known for today?
She is remembered for her connections to the Hammerstein theatrical dynasty, the Fonda family, and Richard Widmark, while also being respected for maintaining a graceful and private life despite extraordinary family connections.
