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Susan Saint James, the celebrated American television actress whose performances in The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie made her a familiar face to generations of viewers, has died at the age of 80. Her death on October 26, 2026, followed a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Her passing marks the loss of an accomplished performer whose career extended across television and film for several decades. Beyond her screen achievements, Saint James was also remembered for her charitable work, particularly her longstanding commitment to the Special Olympics.

News of her death brought renewed attention to a career that included an Emmy Award, multiple nominations and roles in some of the best-known American television productions of their time.

Susan Saint James Cause of Death

Susan Saint James died from pancreatic cancer, according to confirmation from a representative and reports published following her death. She was 80.

The actress died on Monday, October 26, 2026. Her diagnosis was reported alongside confirmation of her passing, although further medical details about her illness and final days were not publicly established in the reports available.

Pancreatic cancer is a serious disease affecting the pancreas, an organ involved in digestion and blood sugar regulation. Saint James’s family and representatives have not provided additional details about the circumstances surrounding her final days.

Who Was Susan Saint James?

Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, Susan Saint James grew up in Rockford, Illinois. She began modeling while still young and later pursued opportunities in entertainment, eventually securing a contract with Universal Studios.

Her early work opened the door to television appearances and helped establish her as a rising performer. She became widely recognized for combining a distinctive screen presence with an approachable style that suited both drama and comedy.

Her breakthrough came through the NBC television series The Name of the Game, where she played Peggy Maxwell, a research assistant working within the show’s magazine-publishing world. The performance earned her an Emmy Award in 1969.

That recognition helped establish her place in American television and led to further opportunities in prominent productions.

Career Breakthrough in McMillan & Wife

One of Saint James’s most memorable roles came in McMillan & Wife, the television crime series in which she starred opposite Rock Hudson.

She portrayed Sally McMillan, the wife of San Francisco police commissioner Stewart “Mac” McMillan. The series combined mystery, crime investigations and domestic comedy, with Saint James bringing intelligence and humor to a character who became central to its appeal.

The show ran through much of the 1970s, and her performance earned additional Emmy recognition. Her work alongside Hudson remains one of the defining chapters of her acting career.

She later moved into film and television movies, appearing in productions including Outlaw Blues, Love at First Bite, How to Beat the High Cost of Living and Carbon Copy.

Kate & Allie and Another Generation of Viewers

Saint James reached another major career milestone in 1984 when she returned to television series work in the CBS sitcom Kate & Allie.

She played Kate McArdle opposite Jane Curtin, whose character was Allie Lowell. The programme followed two divorced friends who shared a home while raising their children together.

The series ran from 1984 to 1989 and became one of the best-known sitcoms of its period. Its portrayal of two women building a household and supporting one another resonated with audiences, while Saint James’s performance brought her further award recognition.

After the programme ended, she gradually stepped away from regular acting work to concentrate on family life. She later made occasional appearances in productions such as The Drew Carey Show, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Suits.

Susan Saint James and Her Work With the Special Olympics

Away from acting, Saint James devoted considerable time to charitable work, particularly supporting the Special Olympics.

Her involvement with the organization began in the early 1970s and continued for decades. She served in leadership and fundraising roles, including work with Special Olympics Connecticut.

Her advocacy reflected an interest in inclusion and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. She also helped organize fundraising initiatives and used her public profile to draw attention to the organization’s work.

The Special Olympics community remembered her as a committed supporter whose contribution extended beyond public appearances.

Family Life and Personal Relationships

Saint James married television executive Dick Ebersol in 1981 after the two met while she was hosting Saturday Night Live. Their marriage became an important part of her later personal life.

She had two children, Sunshine and Harmony, from her marriage to makeup artist Thomas Lucas. With Ebersol, she had three sons: Charles, William and Edward, known as Teddy.

The family experienced a devastating loss in November 2004 when a private plane carrying Ebersol and two of their sons crashed in Colorado. Their 14-year-old son Teddy died in the accident, while Ebersol and Charles survived.

Saint James later spoke through her actions about the importance of family and compassion. Reports following her death also recalled how she supported other people who had experienced the loss of a child.

She is survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol, her children, seven grandchildren and other relatives. Her son Teddy died before her in the 2004 plane crash.

Awards and Lasting Recognition

Saint James’s television career earned her an Emmy Award in 1969 for The Name of the Game, alongside further nominations for her work in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie.

In 2008, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing her contribution to the entertainment industry.

Her legacy also extends beyond acting. Through her work with the Special Olympics and other charitable activities, she built a public profile that was not limited to her television roles.

For audiences who followed her career, her performances remain part of the history of American television comedy and drama.

Susan Saint James Personal Details

Remembering Susan Saint James

Susan Saint James leaves behind a body of work that helped shape American television across several decades. From her early Emmy-winning performance in The Name of the Game to her memorable roles in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, she built a career that reached audiences across different generations.

Her contribution to the Special Olympics added another dimension to her public life, demonstrating a commitment to charitable work and inclusion beyond the entertainment industry.

As tributes follow her death, viewers and colleagues are remembering both the actress whose performances became part of television history and the advocate whose work touched lives away from the screen.

Disclaimer: This obituary is provided for informational and memorial purposes. Details are based on publicly reported information available at the time of publication. The family retains the authority to release personal, memorial and funeral arrangements. Any further updates should be confirmed through the family or its authorized representatives.