Susan Saint James, best known for Kate & Allie and McMillan & Wife, has died at 80. The actress was a multiple Emmy nominee and won for The Name of the Game. Her representative confirmed that she died on Monday, October 26, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her family remembered her as a generous woman who consistently put others first.
Susan Saint James died of pancreatic cancer, according to reports
Saint James became a familiar television face through several memorable roles. She earned three Emmy nominations for The Name of the Game and won once for her performance on the series.
She later received three additional nominations for playing Sally McMillan opposite Rock Hudson in McMillan & Wife.
In 1984, Saint James landed another of her best-known roles as Kate McArdle in Kate & Allie. She initially hesitated to join the show but eventually connected with the character.
“I could relate to the problems of a divorced woman,” she told People.
Her family’s statement also highlighted the kindness that shaped her life away from Hollywood. They described Saint James as “generous with her time and energy” and said she regularly helped people who needed support.
“She never met a stranger,” her family said, recalling how she made people feel important.
Saint James married NBC executive Dick Ebersol in 1981 after meeting him while hosting Saturday Night Live. They welcomed three sons together. She also had two children from her previous marriage to Tom Lucas.
Their youngest son, Teddy, died at age 14 in a 2004 plane crash. Saint James later supported other parents grieving the loss of a child while continuing to honor Teddy’s memory.
She also supported the Special Olympics for decades and worked with several charitable organizations.
Although Saint James largely stepped away from acting in the late 1980s, she continued making occasional television appearances. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008.
In August, Saint James celebrated her 80th birthday with family and close friends. Her family later described the celebration as “one of the best two days of her entire life.”
Saint James is survived by her husband, four children, seven grandchildren, her sister and her service dog, Lola.
