Susan Reed papers

Susan Catherine Reed (1926-2010) was an American singer and musician, and one of the early stars of the folk music revival in the late 1940s. Reed was born in Columbia, South Carolina, to actor Daniel Reed and publicist Isadora Reed. Reed moved with her parents to New York early in her childhood, where her home was frequented by actors, artists, and writers, which greatly influenced her artistic development. During World War II, Reed performed on harp and zither to wounded veterants, until she was discovered by Barney Josephson, owner of the nightclub, Cafe Society. Reed quickly became the darling of the Manhattan nightclub scene, and also performed on radio, television and appeared in major concerts nationwide. She recorded for RCA, Victor, Columbia, and Electra. In 1946, she appeared in the Broadway production of Shooting Star, and in 1948, she co-starred with Gene Krupa in the film, Glamour Girl. Reed was the daughter of a known communist and she as a civil rights activist herself, both of which contributed to her being blacklisted in the early 1950s. Reed ceased performing regularly in the mid-1950s and only appeared occasionally in concert. Reed was married to actor James Karen (b. 1923), with whom she co-owned a Greenwich Village antique store for many years. The couple had one son, Reed Karen. They divorced in 1967.