‘Kate & Allie’ Star Susan Saint James Dies at 80 After Battle With Pancreatic Cancer – Her Family Shares a Heartbreaking Tribute
Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her unforgettable roles in the television series Kate & Allie and McMillan & Wife, has died at the age of 80.
A representative for the actress confirmed her death to PEOPLE, revealing that she passed away on Monday following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Her passing marks the end of a remarkable life filled with television success, family memories, and decades of charitable work. However, those closest to her say her greatest legacy was not her fame, but the kindness she showed to everyone she encountered.
Her Family Shares an Emotional Tribute
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Saint James’ family remembered her as a generous, caring woman who always made time for others.
They described her as someone who valued giving her time and energy more than money and who naturally gravitated toward people who needed encouragement.
Her family also said she passed those values on to her children.
“She taught her children to pause, be kind and look out for other people,” they shared.
They remembered how she had a special gift for making everyone feel important, regardless of who they were or where they came from.
“She never met a stranger,” her family said, explaining that even a brief encounter with someone could turn into a meaningful conversation.
Her Early Life and Hollywood Journey
Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, Saint James spent part of her childhood in Illinois.
She began her career as a teenage model before moving to Hollywood around the age of 20 to pursue acting. She later adopted the professional name Susan Saint James.
Her breakthrough came in the late 1960s when she landed a role in the television crime drama The Name of the Game.
She played Peggy Maxwell, a research assistant, and her performance earned her an Emmy Award in 1969 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
That recognition helped establish her as one of television’s rising talents.
The Success of ‘McMillan & Wife’
In 1971, Saint James took on another major role, starring alongside Rock Hudson in the popular mystery series McMillan & Wife.
She portrayed Sally McMillan, the intelligent and charming wife of San Francisco police commissioner Stewart McMillan.
The show became a popular part of NBC’s television lineup throughout the 1970s. Her chemistry with Hudson made them one of the memorable television couples of that era.
Her performance also earned her multiple Emmy nominations, further strengthening her reputation in Hollywood.
During this period, she appeared in several films, including Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows, Outlaw Blues, Love at First Bite, and How to Beat the High Cost of Living.
‘Kate & Allie’ Made Her a Television Favorite
More than a decade later, Saint James found another major success with the CBS sitcom Kate & Allie, which premiered in 1984.
She starred as Kate McArdle alongside Jane Curtin, who played Allie Lowell.
The series followed two divorced women who decided to share a home in New York City while raising their children together.
At a time when television often focused on traditional family structures, the show explored friendship, single motherhood, divorce, and the importance of women supporting one another.
Audiences connected with the characters, and the sitcom became a hit, running for six seasons until 1989.
Saint James received several Emmy nominations for her portrayal of Kate, making the role one of the most memorable achievements of her career.
A Life Beyond Hollywood
After Kate & Allie ended, Saint James gradually stepped away from full-time acting.
Although she occasionally appeared on television, she devoted much more of her attention to her family and charitable activities.
In 1981, she married television executive Dick Ebersol. Their marriage lasted more than four decades.
However, their family experienced an unimaginable tragedy in 2004 when their 14-year-old son, Teddy Ebersol, died in a plane crash in Colorado.
Saint James and her husband later worked to honor their son’s memory through charitable efforts and community involvement.
Despite the heartbreak, she continued dedicating herself to helping others and making a difference in people’s lives.
The Family She Leaves Behind
Saint James’ family remembered her as a woman who never lost the optimism, determination, and positive spirit that had helped define her early career.
They said she carried that same energy into every part of her life, always finding ways to encourage and support those around her.
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.
Her beloved service dog, Lola, was also an important part of her family.
Although Susan Saint James will be remembered for her remarkable television performances, her family hopes people will also remember the kindness she showed to strangers, friends, and loved ones throughout her life.
Her legacy will live on through the characters she brought to life and the countless people whose lives she touched.