Susan Saint James was an Emmy-winning American actress whose roles in The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie made her a familiar face on television for decades. She died on October 26, 2026, aged 80, following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Beyond her acting success, she was known for her commitment to the Special Olympics and her devotion to family. Her story covers a remarkable career, personal challenges and a lasting influence on American television.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Susan Jane Miller |
| Professional name | Susan Saint James |
| Born | August 14, 1946 |
| Died | October 26, 2026 |
| Age at death | 80 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Raised in | Rockford, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress and charitable advocate |
| Education | Connecticut College for Women |
| Husband at death | Dick Ebersol |
| Children | Five, including the late Edward “Teddy” Ebersol |
| Best known for | The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife, Kate & Allie |
| Major award | Primetime Emmy Award, 1969 |
Early Life and Education
Born in Los Angeles, Susan Jane Miller spent much of her childhood in Rockford, Illinois. Her family valued education, and both her mother and grandmother had worked as teachers. She attended Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Illinois and later Connecticut College for Women.
Before becoming a television star, she worked as a teenage model, including in Paris. Modeling introduced her to professional entertainment, but acting became the career that defined her public life. She returned to Los Angeles in her twenties and secured a seven-year contract with Universal Studios.
Susan Saint James stood out for her natural dialogue delivery, playful humor and ability to make supporting characters feel central to a story.
How Susan Saint James Became Famous
The Name of the Game and Her Emmy Breakthrough
Her early breakthrough came with the 1966 television film Fame Is the Name of the Game. It led to the NBC series The Name of the Game, which aired from 1968 to 1971.
Saint James played Peggy Maxwell, an intelligent research assistant working with characters played by Tony Franciosa, Gene Barry and Robert Stack. Because the drama rotated between different leading men, Peggy provided a recognizable presence across its stories.
Her performance earned a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969. She also received nominations in 1970 and 1971.
McMillan & Wife With Rock Hudson
Susan Saint James became even more widely known opposite Rock Hudson in McMillan & Wife. The mystery series followed San Francisco police commissioner Stewart McMillan and his wife, Sally, as they became involved in criminal investigations.
She played Sally McMillan from 1971 through 1976. The appeal of the partnership was not simply the detective stories. Their banter, humor and affectionate disagreements gave audiences a reason to return even when individual mysteries changed.
Saint James earned further Emmy nominations for the performance. She left before the show’s final season after a contract dispute, and the series continued without Sally.
Susan Saint James Movies and TV Shows
Although television brought her the greatest recognition, her film work showed her willingness to experiment with comedy, romance and drama.
Among her notable credits were Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968), Outlaw Blues (1977), Love at First Bite (1979), How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980) and Carbon Copy (1981). The latter featured Denzel Washington in his film debut.
She also appeared on established television programs, including Ironside, It Takes a Thief and M*A*S*H.
Her movie career never displaced her success on television. Instead, it gave her room to play characters outside the familiar format of a weekly mystery or sitcom.
Why Kate & Allie Became So Important
In 1984, Susan Saint James returned to a leading television role alongside Jane Curtin in the CBS comedy Kate & Allie. She played Kate McArdle, a divorced mother who shared a New York home with her childhood friend Allie Lowell and their children.
The characters had contrasting personalities: Kate was spontaneous and relaxed, while Allie was more structured and cautious. Their friendship was the foundation of the show, rather than a conventional romantic relationship.
That premise mattered. At a time when many sitcoms centered on married couples, the series presented two single mothers creating a supportive household together. It addressed changing ideas about parenting, divorce and family without losing its warmth or humor.
Kate & Allie aired from 1984 to 1989. Saint James earned two Emmy nominations for playing Kate. Curtin won the lead comedy actress Emmy in both 1984 and 1985, while the series also received recognition for directing.
Awards and Professional Recognition
The Television Academy records eight Primetime Emmy nominations for Susan Saint James, including her 1969 win for The Name of the Game. Her nominations spanned drama and comedy, reflecting the range of her television work.
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 11, 2008, in the television category. She had also been inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in 1994, acknowledging both her achievements on screen and her volunteer work.
Susan Saint James’ Husband and Marriages
Saint James was married three times. Her first marriage, to Richard Neubert in 1967, ended in divorce. In 1971, she married makeup artist Thomas Lucas. They had two children, Sunshine and Harmony, before their marriage ended in 1977.
In 1981, while hosting Saturday Night Live, she met producer and NBC executive Dick Ebersol. They married roughly six weeks later and went on to have three sons together: Charles, William and Edward, known as Teddy.
Their marriage experienced difficulties, including a brief separation in 2002, but they reconciled. Ebersol remained her husband until her death in 2026. She was widely associated with family life in Connecticut during the years when he held senior broadcasting roles.
Susan Saint James’ Children and the Loss of Teddy Ebersol
Susan Saint James had five children across her second and third marriages. Her family experienced a devastating loss on November 28, 2004, when a private aircraft crashed during takeoff in Colorado.
Her husband Dick Ebersol and their son Charles survived, but her youngest son, Teddy, died at age 14. Two members of the aircraft crew also died.
The tragedy became an important part of her later public story, although it did not define the entirety of her life. Her family later recalled how she supported those around her while grieving. She also offered encouragement to other parents who had lost children.
At the time of her death, she was survived by her husband, four children and seven grandchildren.
Charity Work and the Special Olympics
Saint James began supporting the Special Olympics during her years on McMillan & Wife in the 1970s and continued long after she stepped away from regular acting. She volunteered, served on organizational boards and supported fundraising efforts, particularly in Connecticut.
Her work championed opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to participate in sports and community life. She also helped bring public attention to a movement that promoted inclusion, respect and achievement.
The Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame recognized this service, and Special Olympics honored her contributions after her death. Her commitment was not a brief celebrity appearance: it was a decades-long part of her life.
Later Career, Retirement and Personal Interests
When Kate & Allie ended in 1989, Saint James chose to concentrate on family and charitable projects. However, retirement did not mean she never acted again.
She made occasional appearances on The Drew Carey Show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Suits. In The Drew Carey Show, she portrayed the mother of a character played by her real-life niece, actress Christa Miller.
Outside television, she helped establish a Connecticut-based baby gift business called Seedling and Pip in 1998. Gardening and community involvement were also among her later interests.
Susan Saint James’ Death and Cause of Death
Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026, at the age of 80. Her representative confirmed to People that she died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her passing was subsequently reported by the Associated Press and other major news organizations.
The announcement prompted renewed attention to her television performances and her charitable legacy. Her family described her as someone who gave generously of her time and made people feel valued.
It is important to distinguish confirmed reporting from speculation: the pancreatic cancer diagnosis was publicly reported, but detailed information about her treatment and medical history was not provided.
Susan Saint James’ Lasting Legacy
Saint James helped make television characters feel accessible, witty and independent. From Peggy Maxwell’s competence to Sally McMillan’s lively partnership and Kate McArdle’s unconventional household, her best roles reflected changing expectations of women on screen.
Her influence also reached beyond entertainment through decades of advocacy. She is remembered both as a popular actress and as a volunteer who used her public profile to support others.
Also Read: Freddie Foreman: Life, Kray Twins, Family and Death at 94
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Susan Saint James still alive?
No. She died on October 26, 2026, aged 80. News of her death was publicly confirmed on October 27.
What was Susan Saint James’ cause of death?
Her representative confirmed that she died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Further details about her medical treatment were not publicly disclosed.
Who was Susan Saint James married to?
Her husband at the time of her death was television executive Dick Ebersol, whom she married in 1981. Her previous husbands were Richard Neubert and Thomas Lucas.
How many children did Susan Saint James have?
She had five children. Her youngest son, Teddy Ebersol, died in a 2004 plane crash at age 14. She was survived by four children.
Did Susan Saint James win an Emmy for Kate & Allie?
No. She received two Emmy nominations for Kate & Allie, but her Emmy win came in 1969 for The Name of the Game. Jane Curtin won two acting Emmys for Kate & Allie.
What was Susan Saint James’ net worth?
No reliable public financial disclosure establishes an exact net worth. Figures on celebrity-estimate websites should not be treated as verified details of her personal finances.
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