Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actor best known for starring in “McMillan & Wife” and “Kate & Allie,” has died at 80, according to an Associated Press obituary published by ABC7 San Francisco. AP reported that she died Monday, which was Oct. 26, 2026. The news was first reported by People magazine, citing a representative for the actor, and her family also issued a statement.
Cause and Family Statement
AP reported that Saint James had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In their statement, her family said, “She never met a stranger,” and added, “Even in the deepest grief of her life, she put everyone else first,” AP reported.
Early Success
Born Susan Jane Miller on Aug. 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, Saint James played research assistant Peggy Maxwell on the 1968 series “The Name of the Game.” She won an Emmy Award for the role in 1969, AP reported.
‘McMillan & Wife’ and ‘Kate & Allie’
From 1971 to 1976 on NBC, Saint James played Sally McMillan opposite Rock Hudson in “McMillan & Wife.” She received three Emmy nominations for the series and left before its sixth season over a contract dispute, according to AP.
She later starred with Jane Curtin in the CBS series “Kate & Allie,” which ran from 1984 to 1989 and earned her two more Emmy nominations. Her film credits included “Outlaw Blues” (1977), “Love at First Bite” (1979) and “Carbon Copy” (1981), AP reported.
A Career Across Two Network Eras
Her best-known roles came roughly 13 years apart, from NBC in the early 1970s to CBS in the mid-1980s. AP’s account lists three Emmy nominations for “McMillan & Wife” and two for “Kate & Allie,” in addition to her 1969 win for “The Name of the Game.” The obituary did not mention any Golden Globe wins, and this article does not make any claim about them.
Family and Special Olympics Work
Saint James was married to Dick Ebersol, the former chairman of NBC Sports. AP reported that they met in 1981 when she guest-hosted “Saturday Night Live” and married about six weeks later. In a 2022 memoir, Ebersol called her “the greatest partner I’ve ever had by far,” according to AP.
The couple had sons Charlie and Willie. Their son Teddy died at 14 in a 2004 private plane crash, AP reported. From her marriage to Tom Lucas, Saint James had a daughter, Sunshine, and a son, Harmony. She was also a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics, where she volunteered and served on the board of directors.
What We Could Not Confirm
CNN, The Washington Post and Deadline also published obituaries, based on their headlines, but those pages could not be opened for this report. Funeral or memorial plans, and the place of death, were not included in the source reviewed. The exact date of death comes from AP’s reference to Monday and the date of its publication. This article will be updated as official family or industry statements become available.
Sources and further reading: The Associated Press obituary; Los Angeles Times obituary.
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