Actress Susan Saint James died Monday at age 80 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was known for her Emmy-winning role in 'The Name of the Game' and starring roles in 'McMillan & Wife' and 'Kate & Allie.'
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her roles in the television series "McMillan & Wife" and "Kate & Allie," has died. She was 80 years old.
Saint James died on Monday, Oct. 26, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, according to People magazine, which cited a representative for the actress. Multiple outlets, including Fox News, Variety, and Deadline, confirmed the death and the cause.
Born Susan Jane Miller on Aug. 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, Saint James began her career as a model before transitioning to acting. Her breakthrough came in 1968 when she was cast as research assistant Peggy Maxwell on the NBC anthology drama "The Name of the Game." The role earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969 for supporting actress in a drama series.
She achieved widespread fame in the 1970s starring opposite Rock Hudson in "McMillan & Wife." She played Sally McMillan, the wife of a San Francisco police commissioner, from 1971 to 1976. According to Deadline, Saint James left the show before its sixth and final season due to a contract dispute, and her character was killed off in a plane crash. She received three additional Emmy nominations for this role.
In 1984, Saint James returned to series television in the CBS sitcom "Kate & Allie," co-starring with Jane Curtin. The show, which ran until 1989, featured two divorced mothers raising their children together. Saint James received two more Emmy nominations for her performance as Kate.
Saint James was married to longtime NBC executive Dick Ebersol for 45 years. The couple met in 1981 when Saint James guest-hosted "Saturday Night Live," which Ebersol produced. They married 42 days after meeting, according to People.
The family suffered a significant tragedy in November 2004 when their 14-year-old son, Teddy, died in a private plane crash in Montrose, Colorado. Ebersol and their son Charlie survived the crash with injuries. In a statement to People, Saint James' family recalled how she "delivered his eulogy as a note to each of her other children and her husband, giving them words to heal" weeks after the accident.
Saint James is survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol; four children—Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charlie Ebersol, and Willie Ebersol; seven grandchildren; and her sister, Mary Mercedes Dewey. She was also survived by her service dog, Lola.
After "Kate & Allie" ended, Saint James largely retired from Hollywood to focus on her family and charitable work. She was a longtime advocate for the Special Olympics, serving on its International Board of Directors for decades. She also founded a baby gift business called Seedling & Pip and worked as a master gardener.
In 2008, Saint James received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She made occasional guest appearances in later years, including roles in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Suits."
Susan Saint James was a prominent figure in American television for over two decades, bridging the gap between the dramatic anthology series of the late 1960s and the family sitcoms of the 1980s. Her career trajectory, from Emmy-winning dramatic roles to sitcom stardom, reflects the evolving landscape of prime-time television. Her public advocacy for the Special Olympics and her personal resilience following the loss of her son also marked her public legacy beyond her acting credits.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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