Susan Saint James, Emmy-Winning Star of 'McMillan & Wife,' Dies at 80

Emmy-winning American actress Susan Saint James, celebrated for her memorable performances in popular television series such as McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, has died at the age of 80. Her representative confirmed that she passed away on October 26, following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Born Susan Jane Miller in Los Angeles on August 14, 1946, she grew up in Rockford, Illinois. Before establishing herself as a prominent television star, she began modeling as a teenager and eventually signed a contract with Universal Studios. Her breakout role came in the late 1960s NBC drama The Name of the Game, where she played editorial assistant Peggy Maxwell. Her standout performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1969.

Saint James achieved widespread household fame during the 1970s when she starred alongside Rock Hudson in the lighthearted crime procedural McMillan & Wife. Portraying Sally McMillan, the perceptive younger wife of San Francisco Police Commissioner Stewart McMillan, she captured audiences with her distinctive charm and playful on-screen chemistry with Hudson. The role garnered her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations across five seasons.

In 1984, she transitioned to situation comedy, teaming up with Jane Curtin for the hit CBS series Kate & Allie. The show focused on two divorced friends who shared a home in New York City while raising their children together. The successful sitcom ran until 1989 and earned Saint James two additional Emmy nominations for lead actress, cementing her status as a defining face of American television.

Beyond her television success, Saint James appeared in several feature films, including Outlaw Blues with Peter Fonda and the 1979 comedy Love at First Bite, in which she played a fashion model who captures the heart of Dracula. She also made notable guest appearances on programs such as M*A*S*H, Saturday Night Live, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Suits before making her final on-screen appearance in the sci-fi comedy series Upload.

Following the conclusion of Kate & Allie in 1989, Saint James largely stepped away from Hollywood to dedicate her time to her family and philanthropic endeavors. She was a passionate supporter of the Special Olympics, serving on its international board for decades after attending the inaugural games in Chicago in 1968. Her post-retirement interests also included co-founding a Connecticut radio station, launching a baby-gift business, and earning certification as a master gardener.

In her personal life, Saint James married television executive Dick Ebersol in 1981 after a whirlwind romance. The couple shared a deeply committed family life, though they endured a profound tragedy in November 2004 when a private plane carrying Ebersol and two of their sons crashed during takeoff in Colorado. Their youngest son, 14-year-old Teddy, died in the accident, while her husband and son Charlie survived.

Remembering her warmth and compassion, her family released a statement to the media noting that she was "generous with her time and energy, which she valued more than money, and instinctively drawn to whoever needed lifting up." Saint James is survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol, four children, seven grandchildren, and her sister.