Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress known for her roles in television series such as "McMillan & Wife" and "Kate & Allie," has died at the age of 80. According to a representative, she passed away on Monday following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, Saint James was raised in Rockford, Illinois, where her family moved during her childhood. She began modeling in Paris as a teenager and later secured a seven-year contract with Universal Studios after returning to Los Angeles at age 20. Her television debut came in the 1966 movie "Fame Is the Name of the Game," which evolved into the series "The Name of the Game" in 1968. Her role as Peggy Maxwell, a research assistant providing continuity across the show's rotating leads, earned her an Emmy Award in 1969.
Saint James gained wider recognition portraying Sally McMillan, the wife of a San Francisco police commissioner played by Rock Hudson, in the popular 1970s crime series "McMillan & Wife." She was nominated for three Emmy Awards for her work on the show, which aired from 1971 to 1976. She left the series prior to its final season following a contract dispute, with her character written out in a plane crash.
Her film career included roles in "Outlaw Blues" (1977), the vampire comedy "Love at First Bite" (1979), and the 1980 comedy "How to Beat the High Cost of Living." She also appeared in "Carbon Copy" (1981), notable for featuring Denzel Washington’s film debut. In the mid-1980s, Saint James co-starred alongside Jane Curtin in the CBS sitcom "Kate & Allie," which ran from 1984 to 1989 and earned her two Emmy nominations.
Saint James married television producer Dick Ebersol in 1981 after meeting him while guest-hosting "Saturday Night Live." The couple had three sons: Charlie, Willie, and Teddy. In 2004, the family suffered a tragic loss when Teddy, 14, died in a plane crash alongside the pilot and flight attendant. Ebersol and their son Charlie survived the incident with serious injuries. In the aftermath, Saint James delivered a eulogy to her family to offer comfort during their grief.
After "Kate & Allie" ended, Saint James largely retired from acting to focus on raising her children, living in Litchfield, Connecticut. She made occasional guest appearances on television shows such as "The Drew Carey Show," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," and "Suits." Outside of acting, she was a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics and served on its board of directors. In 1998, she co-founded Seedling and Pip, a baby gift basket business emphasizing children's literature.
Saint James is survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol; daughter Sunshine and son Harmony from her second marriage to makeup artist Tom Lucas; and sons Charlie and Willie. Her first marriage to Richard Neubert ended in divorce.
Known for her distinctive voice and warm personality, Saint James was remembered by her family as someone who made everyone she met feel important. They praised her ability to connect deeply with others, from close friends to strangers alike.