Susan Clarke is an American communications executive and former actress who built a strong career in arts public relations after her early role in the 1996 film Puddle Cruiser. Raised in a prominent Baltimore political family, she is the daughter of Mary Pat Clarke, the first woman to serve as president of the Baltimore City Council. Today, Susan Clarke serves as Senior Vice President at Finn Partners in Los Angeles, while also sharing a long-standing marriage with filmmaker Jay Chandrasekhar and raising their three children.
Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Susan Clarke Chandrasekhar |
| Maiden Name | Susan Clarke |
| Known For | Communications Executive, Former Actress |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Estimated Age (2026) | 56–58 years old |
| Birthplace | Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Education | Trinity College-Hartford (1986–1990) |
| Profession | Senior Vice President at Finn Partners |
| Division | Polskin Arts & Communications Counselors |
| Early Acting Role | Rois Rane in Puddle Cruiser (1996) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Jay Chandrasekhar |
| Marriage Date | September 18, 2005 |
| Children | Three (Twin daughters and one son) |
| Residence | Los Angeles, California |
| Public Profile | Low public presence, LinkedIn professional profile |
Early Years & Family
Susan Clarke grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, surrounded by public service. Her mother, Mary Pat Clarke, broke barriers as the first woman to preside over the Baltimore City Council. Her father, J. Joseph Clarke, balanced teaching and real-estate work. Weekly dinner talk often included city projects, school issues, and plans to help neighborhoods. Those conversations taught Susan that real change starts close to home.
She was the second of four children, sharing chores and local volunteer work with siblings John, Erin, and Jennifer.
College Years
In 1986, Susan Clarke packed for Trinity College Hartford. The campus was small enough for close friendships yet wide enough to test new ideas. She joined theater clubs, wrote for campus groups, and met visiting students from nearby schools. One set of friends came from Colgate University, where an off-beat sketch troupe was forming. Their late-night brainstorming sessions mixed jokes with big dreams of making movies. Those creative hangouts shaped a group that later called itself Broken Lizard. Susan’s easy stage presence and quick timing fit right in.
Acting Career
After graduation, Susan said yes to a bold experiment. The Broken Lizard friends decided to shoot their own feature on a shoestring budget. The result, Puddle Cruiser, followed college students who land in campus court. Susan played Rois Rane, the film’s bright center who keeps the plot—and her friends—on track.
Making the movie was a crash course in resilience. Cast and crew slept in dorm rooms, borrowed classrooms for sets, and passed around homemade sandwiches when funds ran low. Their hustle paid off: the film won a top jury prize at the Hamptons International Film Festival and screened at Sundance in early 1997. Viewers loved its honest campus vibe, and Susan’s warm performance stood out. Though she later stepped away from acting, Puddle Cruiser remains a cult favorite and a proud badge in her story.
Communications Career
After her time in film, Susan Clarke made a big career shift. She moved from acting into public relations and strategic communications. Some people might wonder, “Why leave movies?” But for Susan, the move made sense.
Today, in 2026, Susan serves as a Senior Vice President at Finn Partners. She works inside the firm’s arts-focused group called Polskin Arts & Communications Counselors. Her job is not about red carpets. It is about strategy. She helps large cultural institutions shape their public image, manage media attention, and protect their reputation. Think of famous museums or global art groups.
Her work is serious and high-level. She manages messaging, brand positioning, and long-term communication plans. She works from the Los Angeles area, where she balances executive meetings with family life. Her income mainly comes from this senior leadership role. Executive salaries at global PR firms often reach six figures, especially at the Senior Vice President level.
Meet Her Husband: Jay Chandrasekhar
Jay Chandrasekhar is a comedian, director, writer, and actor. He was born on April 9, 1968, in Chicago. His full name is Jayanth Jambulingam Chandrasekhar. He comes from a Tamil American family, and both of his parents are physicians originally from Chennai, India.
Jay is founding member of Broken Lizard. He directed and starred in films like Super Troopers and its sequel, along with other movies such as Beerfest and Club Dread. He also built a strong career directing television episodes for shows like Community and Arrested Development. In 2017, he even wrote a memoir titled Mustache Shenanigans.
Her Marriage and How They Met
So how did Susan and Jay meet? Their story goes back to the mid-1990s. They worked together during the early days of Broken Lizard. When Puddle Cruiser was made in 1996, Jay directed the film and Susan played the female lead. That project brought them closer.
They kept in touch through the creative circle around Broken Lizard. Over time, their friendship turned into a relationship. On September 18, 2005, they officially got married. As of 2026, they are still married and living in the Los Angeles area.
Meet Their Children
Susan Clarke and Jay Chandrasekhar have three children. They have twin daughters and one son. Their son carries the middle name Jambulingam. This name comes from Jay’s family and honors his grandfather. In August 2023, Susan shared that her son started his first year of college as part of the Class of 2027. By 2026, their daughters are believed to be in their late teens or early college years. The family lives in Los Angeles, where they balance school, work, and home life.
Final Thoughts
When you look at the full journey of Susan Clarke, you see steady growth. She started in a creative college circle, She acted in an indie film that became a cult favorite. She then built a respected executive career in global communications. Susan balanced marriage, motherhood, and leadership without chasing the spotlight. In 2026, her story feels complete but still active. She continues to lead at Finn Partners. She continues to support her family.
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(FAQs)
Who is Susan Clarke?
Susan Clarke is an American communications executive and former actress. She is known for her early role in Puddle Cruiser and her current position as Senior Vice President at Finn Partners.
What does Susan Clarke do for a living?
Susan Clarke works in strategic communications and public relations. She serves as Senior Vice President at Finn Partners, leading work for cultural institutions and arts organizations.
How old is Susan Clarke in 2026?
Her exact birth date is not publicly available, but based on her college years, she is estimated to be between 56 and 58 years old in 2026.
Who is Susan Clarke married to?
Susan Clarke is married to filmmaker and comedian Jay Chandrasekhar. They married on September 18, 2005.
How did Susan Clarke meet Jay Chandrasekhar?
They met in the mid-1990s through the creative circle of Broken Lizard while working on the film Puddle Cruiser, where she played the female lead.
How many children does Susan Clarke have?
Susan Clarke has three children with Jay Chandrasekhar. They have twin daughters and one son.
What is Susan Clarke known for in film?
She is known for playing Rois Rane in the 1996 independent comedy film Puddle Cruiser, the first feature film of the Broken Lizard group.
What is Susan Clarke’s connection to politics?
Susan Clarke is the daughter of Mary Pat Clarke, a historic Baltimore politician who was the first woman to serve as president of the Baltimore City Council.
