Susan Oliver

 Susan Oliver, born Charlotte Gercke (February 13, 1932 – May 10, 1990)

She first appeared on television playing a supporting role in the July 31, 1955 episode of the live drama series Goodyear TV Playhouse, followed by parts in other Golden Age of TV shows. In 1957 she went to Los Angeles and acted in her first movie, "The Green Eyed Blond." She played Vina, in the episode "The Menagerie" from the 1960s TV series Star Trek, which has become a classic episode. In 1966 she appeared in the continuing role of Ann Howard on ABC's prime-time serial "Peyton Place." She was a genuine flying enthusiast who piloted her own aircraft. She co-piloted her Piper Comanche to victory in 1970 in the 2,760 mile transcontinental race known as the "Powder Puff Derby". She was named Pilot of the Year that same year. Oliver attempted to become the first woman to fly a single-engine plane solo from New York to Moscow, but was deterred in Denmark when the Soviet government denied her permission to enter their air space. Her 1983 memoirs were titled "Odyssey: A Daring Transatlantic Journey." She made dozens of TV guest appearances and briefly was a regular on the soap opera Days of Our Lives (1975-76).

She received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in the 1976 made-for-TV drama, Amelia Earhart. Playing Amelia's friend and mentor, aviatrix Neta "Snookie" Snook. She directed episodes of M*A*S*H and other television shows. Her film roles include "Butterfield 8," for which she was nominated for an Oscar in a supporting role (1960) and Hardly Working (1981). Oliver was diagnosed with colorectal cancer that later metastasized to her lungs, and she died on May 10, 1990 at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.