Susan Saint James, the beloved Emmy-winning actress best known for her roles in Kate & Allie and McMillan & Wife, has died at the age of 80.<\/p>\n
A representative confirmed her passing to PEOPLE, revealing that the actress died on Monday following a battle with pancreatic cancer.<\/p>\n
Her death marks the end of a remarkable life that included decades of success in Hollywood, a loving family, and years of dedication to charitable causes. But beyond her television career, those closest to her remembered something even more special: her extraordinary kindness.<\/p>\n
In a heartfelt statement shared with PEOPLE, Saint James’ family remembered her as someone who always put others first.<\/p>\n
They described her as generous with her time and energy, explaining that helping people brought her more happiness than money ever could.<\/p>\n
She also made sure to pass those values on to her children.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe taught her children to pause, be kind and look out for other people,\u201d her family shared.<\/p>\n
They also remembered her remarkable ability to connect with everyone she encountered.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe never met a stranger,\u201d they said, explaining that every person she met felt important in her presence, whether it was a close friend or someone working at a local store.<\/p>\n
Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, Saint James spent part of her childhood in Illinois.<\/p>\n
She began working as a model during her teenage years before eventually moving to Hollywood at around 20 to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.<\/p>\n
Her career started gaining attention in the late 1960s when she landed a role in the television crime drama The Name of the Game.<\/p>\n
She portrayed Peggy Maxwell, a research assistant whose performance earned her an Emmy Award in 1969 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.<\/p>\n
That achievement helped establish her as one of television’s promising young actresses.<\/p>\n
In 1971, Saint James took another major step in her career when she starred opposite Rock Hudson in McMillan & Wife.<\/p>\n
She played Sally McMillan, the intelligent and charming wife of San Francisco police commissioner Stewart \u201cMac\u201d McMillan.<\/p>\n
The mystery series became a popular NBC television program throughout the 1970s.<\/p>\n
Her chemistry with Hudson helped make their characters one of television’s memorable couples, while her performance earned her several additional Emmy nominations.<\/p>\n
During this period, she also appeared in movies including Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows, Outlaw Blues, Love at First Bite, and How to Beat the High Cost of Living.<\/p>\n
More than a decade later, Saint James found another major television success with the CBS sitcom Kate & Allie.<\/p>\n
The series premiered in 1984 and starred Saint James as Kate McArdle alongside Jane Curtin as Allie Lowell.<\/p>\n
The story followed two divorced women who decided to share a home in New York City while raising their children together.<\/p>\n
At a time when television often portrayed more traditional family structures, the sitcom explored friendship, single motherhood, divorce, and the importance of women supporting one another.<\/p>\n
Audiences connected with the characters, and the show became a hit, running for six seasons before ending in 1989.<\/p>\n
Saint James received several Emmy nominations for her portrayal of Kate, making the role one of the most recognizable achievements of her career.<\/p>\n
After Kate & Allie ended, Saint James gradually stepped away from full-time acting.<\/p>\n
Although she occasionally returned to television, she increasingly devoted her time to her family and charitable activities.<\/p>\n
In 1981, she married television executive and longtime NBC Sports executive Dick Ebersol. Their marriage lasted more than four decades.<\/p>\n
However, their family experienced an unimaginable tragedy in 2004 when their 14-year-old son, Teddy Ebersol, was killed in a plane crash in Colorado.<\/p>\n
The devastating loss changed their lives forever. Saint James and her husband later worked to honor Teddy’s memory through charitable efforts.<\/p>\n
Despite the heartbreak, she continued finding ways to support others and contribute to her community.<\/p>\n
Saint James’ family remembered her as someone who never lost the optimism, determination, and positive spirit that had defined her throughout her life.<\/p>\n
They said she carried that same energy into everything she did and never stopped encouraging the people around her.<\/p>\n
She is survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol; her children, Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charlie Ebersol, and Willie Ebersol; seven grandchildren; and her sister, Mary Mercedes Dewey.<\/p>\n
Her beloved service dog, Lola, was also an important part of her family.<\/p>\n
Susan Saint James will be remembered not only for the unforgettable characters she brought to television screens, but also for the kindness, generosity, and love she shared throughout her life.<\/p>\n
Her family hopes that beyond her Hollywood achievements, people will remember the simple but powerful lesson she lived by: making everyone feel seen, valued, and important.<\/p>\n
Her legacy will continue through her work, her family, and the countless lives she touched.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Susan Saint James, the beloved Emmy-winning actress best known for her roles in Kate & Allie and McMillan & Wife, has died at the age of 80. A representative confirmed her passing to PEOPLE, revealing that the actress died on Monday following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Her death marks the end of a remarkable…<\/p>\n