#SusanSaintJames 2026 jzebraa
Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress known for McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer diagnosis before her death at 80
Her family remembered her as a generous and compassionate woman who dedicated her life to helping others, particularly families grieving the loss of a child
Saint James is survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol, four children and seven grandchildren
Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her roles on McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, died on Oct. 26 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was 80.
Thanks for all the Laughs on McMillan and Wife and Kate and Allie, Your Voice was like no other! -XOXO jzebraa
Ai Wrote
Susan Saint James was a celebrated Emmy-winning American actress and dedicated activist, best known for her iconic roles in classic television series like McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie. Known for her signature throaty voice and free-spirited charm, she rose to fame in the late 1960s, winning a Primetime Emmy Award at just 22 years old for her role in The Name of the Game. After largely retiring from acting in the late 1980s, she dedicated much of her life to philanthropy, serving as a passionate long-term board member and advocate for the Special Olympics. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
| Born | August 14, 1946 (Los Angeles, California) |
|---|---|
| Died | October 26, 2026 (Age 80) |
| Spouse(s) | Dick Ebersol (m. 1981), Tom Lucas (m. 1971–1977), Richard Neubert (m. 1967–1968) |
| Children | Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charlie Ebersol, Willie Ebersol, Teddy Ebersol |
| Notable Work | The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife, Kate & Allie |
Career Highlights
- Early Breakthrough: Began modeling as a teenager in Paris before moving back to Los Angeles and signing a contract with Universal Studios. [1]
- Television Stardom: Starred as Peggy Maxwell in The Name of the Game (1968–1971), which earned her an Emmy in 1969. [1, 2]
- Beloved Co-Star: Portrayed Sally McMillan opposite Rock Hudson in the detective mystery series McMillan & Wife from 1971 to 1976. [1, 2]
- Sitcom Success: Reached a new generation of fans starring as Kate McArdle alongside Jane Curtin in the CBS hit comedy Kate & Allie (1984–1989). [1, 2]
- Film Credits: Appeared in notable films including the comedy Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968), the vampire spoof Love at First Bite (1979), and How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980). [1, 2]
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1981, she married television executive and Saturday Night Live co-creator Dick Ebersol, with whom she raised a blended family of five children. In 2004, the family endured a tragic plane crash that claimed the life of their youngest son, 14-year-old Teddy, an event where Saint James demonstrated immense resilience by delivering a healing eulogy to her surviving family members. [1, 2, 3]
Outside of Hollywood, she was heavily involved in her adoptive home state of Connecticut, being inducted into the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame in 1994 and receiving five honorary doctorates from state institutions. She passed away from pancreatic cancer surrounded by her family, remembered by those who knew her for her immense positivity and open, generous spirit. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Would you like to explore more details about her television series, look into her charity work with the Special Olympics, or learn about her family's legacy in broadcasting?
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