Hollywood is mourning the loss of Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress who captured audiences with her memorable performances in Kate & Allie and McMillan & Wife. Saint James died on October 26, 2026, at the age of 80, following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, according to her representative.

While she will be remembered for her decades-long career in television, her family says her greatest legacy was the kindness, generosity, and compassion she showed to the people around her. Her life was marked by professional success, deep devotion to her children, and a remarkable commitment to helping others through some of life’s most difficult moments. <Cite refs={[“turn168278news19″,”turn168278search1”]}/>

A Family Remembers Her Extraordinary Kindness

In a statement shared with People, Saint James’ family remembered her as someone who valued giving her time and energy to others more than accumulating wealth.

They described her as a person who instinctively gravitated toward anyone who needed encouragement, teaching her children to be thoughtful, kind, and attentive to the people around them.

According to her family, Saint James had a special ability to make everyone she encountered feel important. Whether she was speaking with a fellow board member or a clerk in a shoe store, she gave people her full attention and often left knowing their life stories.

Her generosity became especially evident following the tragic death of her youngest son, Edward, known as Teddy, in a 2004 plane crash.

Even while dealing with overwhelming grief, she found ways to comfort her husband and children. Her family recalled that she prepared a deeply personal eulogy for Teddy, offering individual words of comfort to her husband and each of her other children.

In the days following the accident, she also spoke publicly with journalist Tim Russert to thank those who had reached out to the family and reassure them that they were managing to carry on.

Her loved ones say these moments reflected the person she had always been: someone who continued looking after others, even when she was hurting herself. <Cite refs={[“turn168278news19″,”turn168278search1”]}/>

From a Young Model to a Television Star

Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, Saint James grew up in Rockford, Illinois. She began modeling as a teenager before returning to California at age 20 to pursue an acting career.

Her early work helped her establish herself in Hollywood, and her breakthrough arrived with the television drama The Name of the Game.

She played Peggy Maxwell, a research assistant whose character connected the show’s different lead storylines. Her performance earned her an Emmy Award in 1969, establishing her as a rising talent in television.

That recognition opened the door to increasingly prominent roles, eventually leading to the performances that would make her a familiar face to audiences across the country. <Cite refs={[“turn168278search1″,”turn168278search0”]}/>

Her Memorable Role in ‘McMillan & Wife’

<text> </text>

One of Saint James’ most recognized roles came in the crime series McMillan & Wife, where she starred opposite Rock Hudson.

She portrayed Sally McMillan, the witty and resourceful wife of San Francisco police commissioner Stewart McMillan. The series followed the couple as they became involved in solving a variety of criminal cases.

Running from 1971 to 1977, the show established Saint James as a major television star. Her chemistry with Hudson and her portrayal of Sally earned her multiple Emmy nominations.

Although she left the series before its final season following a contract dispute, the role remained an important part of her television legacy. <Cite refs={[“turn168278search1″,”turn168278search4”]}/>

‘Kate & Allie’ Made Her a Household Name

For many viewers, Saint James will always be remembered as Kate McArdle in the popular comedy series Kate & Allie.

<text> </text>

The sitcom, which aired from 1984 to 1989, followed two divorced women who decided to live together and raise their children under one roof. Saint James played the free-spirited Kate, while Jane Curtin portrayed her more reserved friend, Allie.

The series explored the challenges of parenting, relationships, independence, and rebuilding life after divorce. Its blend of humor and relatable family situations helped it connect with audiences over five seasons.

Saint James received additional Emmy nominations for her work on the show, further cementing her reputation as a versatile performer who could move comfortably between drama and comedy.

The series also became an important part of her personal life because it coincided with a period when she was raising her own children and thinking carefully about how she wanted to spend her time. <Cite refs={[“turn168278search1″,”turn168278search0”]}/>

Why She Stepped Away From Acting

After Kate & Allie concluded in 1989, Saint James gradually stepped away from regular acting work to concentrate on her family.

In a 1993 interview with The Baltimore Sun, she explained that her children had reached an age when they needed to take center stage in the family’s life.

For Saint James, stepping back from Hollywood was not simply a career decision. It reflected her priorities as a mother and her desire to be present during her children’s formative years.

Although she made occasional appearances in television and theater afterward, she largely kept a lower profile than many of her contemporaries.

She also explored other interests, including business ventures and charitable projects, demonstrating that her life outside acting was every bit as varied as her career in entertainment. <Cite refs={[“turn168278search1″,”turn168278search3”]}/>

A Love Story With Dick Ebersol

Saint James’ personal life took another significant turn in 1981 when she met Dick Ebersol, the television executive who was then an executive producer of Saturday Night Live.

The two met when Saint James hosted the program. Their connection developed quickly, and they married just 42 days after meeting.

Together, they welcomed three sons: Charles, William, and Edward, who was known as Teddy.

Saint James also had two children, Sunshine and Harmony, from her previous marriage to Tom Lucas.

Family remained central to her life, and she increasingly devoted herself to creating a home where her children could grow up away from the constant demands of Hollywood.

Her relationship with Ebersol would later face one of the most devastating experiences any parent could imagine. <Cite refs={[“turn168278search1″,”turn168278search0”]}/>

The Tragic Loss of Her Youngest Son

In November 2004, Saint James and her family experienced a devastating tragedy when a private plane carrying Ebersol and their sons Charles and Teddy crashed during takeoff in Colorado.

Teddy, who was only 14 years old, died in the accident. Ebersol and Charles survived but sustained serious injuries.

The loss profoundly affected the family. Saint James had to navigate her own grief while helping her surviving children and husband cope with an event that changed their lives forever.

According to accounts shared by the family, she encouraged her children to allow themselves to grieve without becoming consumed by anger. She reminded them that the accident was a terrible tragedy, not something that anyone had deliberately wanted to happen.

At Teddy’s funeral, she delivered a eulogy that included personal messages for her husband and each of her other children.

The words were intended not only to honor her youngest son but also to help the people she loved find a way forward.

In the aftermath, Saint James received thousands of letters from people expressing sympathy and sharing their own experiences of loss. She reportedly responded to approximately 15,000 of them with handwritten notes.

Her actions demonstrated how deeply she understood the importance of human connection, especially during times of grief. <Cite refs={[“turn168278news19″,”turn168278search1”]}/>

A Lifelong Commitment to Special Olympics

Away from television, Saint James devoted considerable time to charitable work, particularly with Special Olympics.

She became involved with the organization early in her career and went on to serve on its international board. She also helped organize fundraising events and supported efforts to expand opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Her involvement reflected a broader commitment to helping others that extended well beyond her celebrity status.

Saint James also explored entrepreneurial interests, including a baby gifts and books business called Seedling and Pip, which she founded with her sister, Mercedes Dewey, and a friend.

These pursuits allowed her to build a life around family, service, and personal interests rather than remaining focused solely on her acting career. <Cite refs={[“turn168278search1″,”turn168278search4”]}/>

Celebrating Her 80th Birthday Surrounded by Loved Ones

In August 2026, Saint James celebrated her 80th birthday with her children, grandchildren, and close friends.

The gathering was a joyful occasion for the family, offering an opportunity to celebrate her life and the relationships she had nurtured over the years.

Her family later recalled that she described the birthday celebrations as “one of the best two days of her entire life.”

The milestone was particularly meaningful because she had spent so much of her life placing her family and other people first. Surrounded by generations of loved ones, she was able to enjoy a celebration of the life she had built.

Her seven grandchildren were an especially important source of joy, reflecting the family legacy that had become central to her life after stepping away from regular acting. <Cite refs={[“turn168278news25″,”turn168278news20”]}/>

Remembering Susan Saint James

Susan Saint James leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond her memorable television roles.

Audiences will remember her as Sally McMillan and Kate McArdle, characters who showcased her humor, warmth, and talent. Her performances helped shape television entertainment across the 1970s and 1980s.

But those closest to her remember something even more enduring: a woman who listened, made people feel seen, and devoted herself to the well-being of her family and community.

Her willingness to support others through tragedy, her years of work with Special Olympics, and her thoughtful responses to thousands of grieving strangers all reflected the values her family says she tried to instill in her children.

Saint James is survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol; four surviving children; seven grandchildren; and her sister, Mary Mercedes Dewey. She was 80 years old.

Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in television history, but the performances she left behind and the kindness she showed throughout her life will continue to be remembered.

Rest in peace, Susan Saint James. Her family, friends, colleagues, and generations of viewers will remember her with affection and gratitude.