Susan Saint James Dies at 80: Remembering the ‘Kate & Allie’ and ‘McMillan & Wife’ Star
Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress who became a familiar face on American television through McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, has died at 80. Her representative confirmed that she died on October 26, 2026, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, according to published reports.
Her death has prompted tributes celebrating a career that spanned television dramas, sitcoms and films, as well as a life marked by philanthropy, devotion to family and a generous approach to the people she met.
A Star Who Helped Define Two Television Eras
Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, Saint James grew up in Rockford, Illinois. She began modeling as a teenager before entering the entertainment industry and signing with Universal Studios.
Her breakthrough came with the NBC drama The Name of the Game, where she played Peggy Maxwell, a research assistant at a magazine company. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969, establishing her as a rising television talent.
Saint James reached another career milestone in 1971 when she joined McMillan & Wife, starring opposite Rock Hudson as Sally McMillan. The crime series followed a San Francisco police commissioner and his wife as they became involved in solving mysteries. Her spirited performance helped make the show a popular fixture of 1970s television and earned her further Emmy nominations.
‘Kate & Allie’ Brought a New Generation of Fans
In 1984, Saint James returned to television comedy in Kate & Allie, playing Kate McArdle opposite Jane Curtin’s Allie Lowell. The CBS sitcom followed two divorced women who shared a home while raising their children together.
The series offered a warm, humorous portrayal of friendship, family life and independence. Saint James’s energetic performance as Kate helped make the show a success, earning her two additional Emmy nominations.
The sitcom ran until 1989. After it ended, Saint James largely stepped away from regular acting to focus on raising her younger children. Although she made occasional later appearances, she never returned to the demanding television schedule that had defined much of her earlier career.
Her decision to prioritize family life became a notable part of her story, particularly as she remained connected to the entertainment world through her husband, television executive Dick Ebersol.
A Life Beyond Hollywood
Saint James was known by friends and colleagues for her warmth and interest in other people. In a family statement reported by PEOPLE, relatives described her as generous with her time and energy and instinctively drawn to people who needed encouragement.
She was also a longtime supporter of Special Olympics, volunteering and serving on its board of directors. Her charitable work reflected an interest in inclusion and helping others that extended beyond her public career.
Her family also endured profound loss in 2004, when her 14-year-old son, Edward “Teddy” Ebersol, died in a plane crash in Colorado. Saint James and her family continued to speak about the experience and the importance of supporting one another through grief. Accounts of her response to the tragedy became part of the public understanding of her strength and commitment to her loved ones.
Remembering Susan Saint James
Saint James received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008, recognizing her contributions to television. Her career included drama, comedy and film roles, but her performances in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie remain among her most enduring achievements.
She is survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol, and her children and grandchildren. Her family’s tribute emphasized the way she made people feel seen and valued, whether they were close friends or strangers.
For television audiences, Susan Saint James will be remembered for her distinctive comic energy, her engaging screen presence and characters that became part of American popular culture. Beyond the screen, her legacy also includes her charitable work and the relationships she nurtured throughout her life.
Her passing marks the loss of an Emmy-winning performer whose influence reached beyond the roles that made her famous.
