Actress Susan Damante, recognized for her role in the 1972 film "The Candidate" and as the mother of actresses Vinessa and Natalie Shaw, was recently seen in Los Angeles. Damante, 76, starred opposite Robert Redford in the Michael Ritchie-directed film, which focused on a political campaign in California.
Damante played an uncredited role as a groupie in "The Candidate." She recalled in a Facebook video that she initially auditioned for a different part but was later offered the groupie role after a chance encounter with director Michael Ritchie. She described the experience as akin to "film school," working alongside Redford for six weeks and learning about filmmaking.
Prior to her film debut, Damante competed in pageants, placing as first runner-up in the Miss California Pageant at 19. Her career has included television guest spots on shows such as "Columbo," "The Rockford Files," and "Dallas," as well as roles in films like the "Wilderness Family" trilogy. She also appeared with her daughter Vinessa in the 1992 Rodney Dangerfield comedy "Ladybugs."
More recently, Damante has engaged in theater work and ventured into filmmaking, directing, writing, and starring in the 2018 short film "Repercussions." Her personal website also notes her recovery from Crohn's Disease and her dedication to Nichiren Buddhism.