Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress best remembered for her performances in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer before her death on October 26, 2026. She was 80 years old. Her family confirmed the news following her passing, bringing renewed attention to the life and career of one of American television’s much-loved actresses.
The actress’s death has prompted tributes from fans and the entertainment industry, with many remembering her not only for her memorable television roles but also for her generosity, family values and charitable contributions. Although she gradually stepped away from Hollywood towards the end of the 1980s, her influence continued through the programmes that made her a familiar face to generations of viewers.
- Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026, at the age of 80.
- Her family confirmed that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer before her death.
- She was widely recognised for playing Sally McMillan in McMillan & Wife and Kate McArdle in Kate & Allie.
- She won a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance in The Name of the Game in 1969.
- Saint James was married to television executive Dick Ebersol and had five children.
- Beyond acting, she was a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics and various charitable organisations.
Susan Saint James Dies at 80 After Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis
Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026, following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Her representative confirmed her death, while her family shared a heartfelt statement with PEOPLE remembering the actress’s personality, kindness and dedication to others.
In their statement, her family described her as someone who valued giving her time and energy more than money. They explained that she had an unusual ability to make people feel important, regardless of whether they were close friends, colleagues or strangers.
Her loved ones also remembered how she encouraged her children to be kind, thoughtful and supportive of people around them.
The statement reflected the actress’s personality away from the cameras. While audiences knew her through television and film, her family remembered someone whose greatest qualities were her compassion, generosity and willingness to help others.
Her death marks the loss of an actress whose career helped shape American television during the 1970s and 1980s.
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Who Was Susan Saint James? A Look at Her Early Life and Acting Career
Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, Susan Saint James grew up in Rockford, Illinois. She began her professional journey as a model during her teenage years and later spent time working in Paris.
However, acting eventually became her primary career. After returning to the United States, she moved towards Hollywood and secured a contract with Universal Studios.
One of her early television appearances came through The Name of the Game, where she played Peggy Maxwell, a research assistant. Her performance brought considerable recognition and earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969.
The achievement established her as a promising television performer and opened doors to more prominent roles.
During the following years, Saint James appeared in several television productions, including It Takes a Thief, Ironside, McCloud and Alias Smith and Jones.
McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie Made Her a Television Favourite
Although Susan Saint James had already established herself in the entertainment industry, two television programmes became particularly important to her career.
McMillan & Wife
In 1971, Saint James joined the crime mystery series McMillan & Wife, starring alongside Rock Hudson. She portrayed Sally McMillan, the wife of San Francisco police commissioner Stewart McMillan.
She remained with the show for five seasons, receiving three Emmy nominations for her performance.
Kate & Allie
Another significant chapter in her career began in 1984 when she starred in the CBS sitcom Kate & Allie alongside Jane Curtin.
The series followed two divorced women, Kate McArdle and Allie Lowell, who decided to share a home in New York City while raising their children together.
Its storylines explored friendship, single parenthood, relationships and the challenges women faced while balancing family responsibilities.
Saint James’s portrayal of Kate earned her two additional Emmy nominations. The sitcom continued until 1989 and remains one of her most recognisable television projects.
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Susan Saint James’s Family Life and Marriage to Dick Ebersol
Away from acting, Saint James built a family life with television executive Dick Ebersol.
The pair first met in October 1981 when Saint James hosted Saturday Night Live. Ebersol was working as the programme’s executive producer at the time.
Their relationship developed quickly, and they married just 42 days after meeting.
Together, they welcomed three sons: Charlie, Willie and Teddy. Saint James also had two children, Sunshine and Harmony, from her previous marriage to makeup artist Tom Lucas.
Family was an important part of her life, and she gradually reduced her acting commitments to spend more time raising her children.
In a 1993 interview with the Baltimore Sun, she explained that she wanted her children to remain the centre of family life rather than feel overshadowed by her career.
Her decision reflected a significant change in priorities, as she moved away from regular television appearances.
The Family Tragedy That Shaped Her Later Life
One of the most difficult periods in Susan Saint James’s personal life came in November 2004, when a private plane carrying her husband and sons Charlie and Teddy crashed in Colorado.
Her 14-year-old son Teddy died in the accident, while Dick Ebersol and Charlie survived with serious injuries.
The tragedy deeply affected the family. According to the statement shared by her loved ones, Saint James delivered Teddy’s eulogy weeks later as a personal message to her husband and surviving children, offering them words of comfort during an incredibly painful period.
Following the accident, she also devoted time to supporting other parents who had experienced the loss of a child.
Her commitment to helping grieving families became an important part of her life beyond Hollywood.
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Susan Saint James’s Philanthropy and Lasting Legacy
Susan Saint James was involved in several charitable initiatives, particularly the Special Olympics, where she volunteered and served on its board.
She also supported organisations and projects connected with community development, education and assistance for people in need.
Although her acting career gradually became less active, she occasionally returned to television, with appearances in programmes such as The Drew Carey Show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Suits.
In 2008, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognising her contributions to the entertainment industry.
Saint James leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond her award-winning performances. Her work in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie continues to be remembered, while her dedication to family and charitable causes offers another perspective on the person she was outside the entertainment industry.
Her husband, Dick Ebersol, four surviving children, seven grandchildren, sister Mary Mercedes Dewey and beloved service dog Lola survive her.
As tributes continue following her death, Susan Saint James is being remembered as an actress who brought warmth and individuality to the screen and showed remarkable compassion throughout her personal life.
Sources and References
1. PEOPLE – Susan Saint James Was Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer Before Her Death, Her Family Confirms.
2. The Washington Post – Susan Saint James Dies at 80.
3. Los Angeles Times – Susan Saint James, Activist and TV Star, Dies at 80.
4. Associated Press – Susan Saint James, Emmy-Winning Actor, Dies at 80
