Susan Brewer is an American artist, actress, and film crew member best known as the first wife of Hollywood icon Peter Fonda and the mother of actress Bridget Fonda.
Despite her deep ties to the Fonda dynasty , one of America’s most celebrated acting families , Susan chose a life grounded in art, authenticity, and privacy, leaving behind a legacy far richer than a Hollywood footnote.
Susan Brewer , Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Susan Jane Brewer |
| Date of Birth | May 12, 1939 |
| Place of Birth | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Age (2026) | 86–87 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Artist, Actress, Film Crew Member |
| Net Worth (2026) | $1 million – $2 million (estimated) |
| Ex-Husband | Peter Fonda (married 1961 – divorced 1974) |
| Children | Bridget Fonda, Justin Fonda |
| Stepfather | Noah Dietrich (Howard Hughes’ close confidant) |
| Notable Films | Lovely But Deadly (1981), Vision Quest (1985), Time Walker (1982) |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.64 m) |
| Social Media | Not active on any platform |
Early Life and Background
Susan Jane Brewer was born on May 12, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She grew up in a household shaped by an unusual mix of privilege and creativity. Her mother later married Noah Dietrich, who served as the right-hand man to billionaire industrialist Howard Hughes for over thirty years. That connection gave Susan early exposure to an extraordinary world of power, money, and influence.
Despite those elite surroundings, Susan was drawn to the arts from a young age. She eventually moved to New York City to pursue higher education, where she studied direction and filmmaking. It was in this creative environment that producer and actor Larry Hagman , who would later become the godfather of her daughter Bridget , helped guide her toward Hollywood.
Her upbringing blended bohemian artistic values with real-world connections to Hollywood insiders. This combination shaped the independent, free-spirited woman she became.
Marriage to Peter Fonda
Susan Brewer married Peter Henry Fonda in 1961. At the time, Peter was beginning his rise in Hollywood , the son of legendary actor Henry Fonda and the brother of actress Jane Fonda. Their union placed Susan at the very center of one of America’s most iconic acting dynasties.
The couple shared thirteen years of marriage that spanned the turbulent, creative energy of the 1960s and early 1970s , a time defined by counterculture, artistic experimentation, and social change. Both Susan and Peter embodied those values in their own ways.
Through this marriage, Susan became:
- Daughter-in-law of screen legend Henry Fonda
- Sister-in-law of two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda
- Part of a family whose films helped define 20th-century American cinema
Despite their deep connection, the pressures of Hollywood life and personal differences eventually took their toll. The couple finalized their divorce on April 15, 1974. Peter went on to marry twice more , Portia Rebecca Crockett in 1975, and later Margaret “Parky” DeVogelaere in 2011. Susan, by contrast, quietly stepped away from public life and never looked back.
Susan Brewer’s Children: Bridget and Justin Fonda
Susan’s greatest and most lasting contribution to the entertainment world came through her two children. Both grew up in a household where art, film, and creative expression were part of everyday life , a direct reflection of Susan’s influence as a mother.
Bridget Fonda
Bridget Jane Fonda was born on January 27, 1964, in Los Angeles, California. She became one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actresses throughout the 1990s. Her breakout came with The Godfather Part III (1990), and she starred in a long string of critically acclaimed films after that.
| Film | Year | Notable For |
| The Godfather Part III | 1990 | Hollywood breakthrough role |
| Single White Female | 1992 | Psychological thriller lead |
| Point of No Return | 1993 | Action lead |
| Jackie Brown | 1997 | Quentin Tarantino film |
| A Simple Plan | 1998 | Critically lauded drama |
| Lake Placid | 1999 | Blockbuster horror-comedy |
Bridget received Golden Globe and Emmy nominations during her career. She retired from acting in 2002, married film composer Danny Elfman in 2003, and welcomed a son, Oliver, in 2005. Notably, her godfather is Larry Hagman , the same man who helped her mother Susan find her footing in Hollywood years earlier.
Justin Fonda
Justin Fonda was born on July 9, 1966. He made a brief uncredited appearance as a child in Easy Rider (1969) , in the commune scene alongside his famous father. Rather than pursuing on-screen fame, Justin chose the technical side of filmmaking, working as an actor, cameraman, and behind-the-scenes crew member. He clearly inherited his mother’s preference for craft over celebrity.
Susan Brewer’s Film and Creative Career
Susan was never just a background figure. She made real contributions to Hollywood , both in front of and behind the camera. Her work spanned acting, casting, and wardrobe departments, showing a genuine, multi-faceted talent.
Acting Credits
- Easy Rider (1969) , brief appearance alongside her then-husband Peter Fonda
- Lovely But Deadly (1981) , acting role
- Time Walker (1982) , acting role
- Vision Quest (1985) , acting role
Behind the Scenes
Beyond acting, Susan worked in casting departments and costume and wardrobe departments on several productions. This behind-the-scenes involvement reflects her deep, practical knowledge of filmmaking , proof that her passion for the craft was sincere, not borrowed from her famous husband.
As a visual artist, Susan pursued painting and creative work long after her Hollywood years ended. She built a quiet artistic life that was entirely her own , one that shaped the creative values passed down to both Bridget and Justin.
Susan Brewer Net Worth in 2026
Susan Brewer’s estimated net worth in 2026 is between $1 million and $2 million. This figure reflects income from her years in film, her creative work as an artist, and financial stability built over decades of private living.
| Source | Contribution to Net Worth |
| Film acting & crew work (1969–1985) | Primary early earnings |
| Artistic career (painting, visual arts) | Ongoing creative income |
| Divorce settlement (1974) | Financial foundation |
| Long-term private investments | Wealth preservation |
She has never pursued wealth through public appearances, endorsements, or social media. Her financial stability is the result of careful, quiet management rather than fame-based income.
Susan Brewer’s Place in the Fonda Legacy
The Fonda family is one of Hollywood’s true dynasties. Susan’s role within it adds important context to her story , she sits at a unique crossroads of American cultural history.
| Family Member | Relation to Susan | Known For |
| Henry Fonda | Former father-in-law | Oscar winner, The Grapes of Wrath |
| Jane Fonda | Former sister-in-law | Two-time Oscar winner, activist |
| Peter Fonda | Ex-husband (d. 2019) | Easy Rider, Ulee’s Gold |
| Bridget Fonda | Daughter | Jackie Brown, Single White Female |
| Justin Fonda | Son | Film crew, actor |
| Danny Elfman | Son-in-law | Composer (Batman, Edward Scissorhands) |
| Noah Dietrich | Stepfather | Howard Hughes’ 30-year confidant |
Few people in Hollywood history can claim connections to both Howard Hughes’ inner circle and the Fonda acting dynasty. Susan Brewer is one of them.
Where Is Susan Brewer Today? Life in 2026
As of 2026, Susan Brewer is approximately 86–87 years old and continues to live a deeply private life. She has no known social media presence on any platform , no Instagram, no Facebook, no X (formerly Twitter).
She stepped away from Hollywood after the mid-1980s and never returned to the public eye. Her life today is believed to be centered on:
- Her art and creative practice
- Time with family, including daughter Bridget and son Justin
- A peaceful, private existence far from Hollywood’s spotlight
Peter Fonda, her ex-husband, passed away on August 16, 2019, at age 79 from respiratory failure caused by lung cancer , a loss that undoubtedly touched Susan deeply, given the family they built together over thirteen years.
Final Thoughts
Susan Brewer is a fascinating figure because she chose to be invisible at a time when her connections could have made her very visible. She was tied to Howard Hughes’ world through her stepfather, married into the most prestigious acting family in America, appeared in Hollywood films, and raised one of the 1990s’ most bankable actresses , and yet she walked away from all of it.
That kind of quiet strength is rare. In a culture that rewards oversharing, Susan Brewer chose authenticity over attention. Her legacy lives on not in her own filmography, but in the careers of her children and in the artistic values she clearly instilled in them. She is proof that you don’t need a spotlight to leave a lasting impression.
Read also: Victor Davis Hanson Accident: Complete Story
Frequently Asked Questions About Susan Brewer
Who is Susan Brewer?
Susan Brewer is an American artist, actress, and film crew member. She is best known as the first wife of actor Peter Fonda and the mother of actress Bridget Fonda. She has lived a private life since stepping away from Hollywood in the 1980s.
How old is Susan Brewer in 2026?
Susan Brewer was born on May 12, 1939, making her approximately 86–87 years old as of 2026.
What is Susan Brewer’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth in 2026 is between $1 million and $2 million, accumulated through her film career, creative work, and long-term financial management after her divorce from Peter Fonda in 1974.
Who are Susan Brewer’s children?
Susan has two children with Peter Fonda: daughter Bridget Jane Fonda (born January 27, 1964), a renowned actress, and son Justin Fonda (born July 9, 1966), a filmmaker and crew member. Bridget is married to composer Danny Elfman.
Why did Susan Brewer and Peter Fonda divorce?
The couple divorced on April 15, 1974, after 13 years of marriage. The pressures of Hollywood life and shifting personal dynamics are widely cited as contributing factors, though neither party ever gave detailed public statements.
Was Susan Brewer in any movies?
Yes. Susan appeared in Easy Rider (1969), Lovely But Deadly (1981), Time Walker (1982), and Vision Quest (1985). She also worked in casting and wardrobe departments behind the scenes.
Who was Susan Brewer’s stepfather?
Her stepfather was Noah Dietrich, one of the most powerful figures in mid-century American business. Dietrich served as Howard Hughes’ trusted confidant and right-hand man for over thirty years.
Where is Susan Brewer now in 2026?
Susan Brewer continues to live a private and quiet life in 2026. She avoids public appearances, has no social media presence, and has not given any public interviews in decades.
