**Suzanne Pleshette (1937-2008)** was an American actress known for her deep, husky voice and distinctive screen presence. Her film career was characterized by roles as intelligent, outspoken, and often fiercely independent women.

Her most iconic big-screen role was Annie Hayworth, the schoolteacher in love with Mitch Brenner, in Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller, **The Birds** (1963). She also starred in several Disney comedies, including **The Absent-Minded Professor** (1961) and **That Darn Cat!** (1965), where she demonstrated remarkable versatility.

Pleshette was adept at portraying characters who balanced inner strength with a touch of sardonic humor or a certain vulnerability, making her performances consistently memorable.