Susan Saint James, an American television actor who became a prominent figure in the medium during the 1970s and 1980s, passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Los Angeles and initially pursued a career in modeling after relocating to New York, eventually transitioning to acting after encouragement from industry professionals during her time in Paris.
Saint James achieved her greatest acclaim through her starring role in the police drama McMillan & Wife, which premiered in 1971. In the series, she portrayed Sally McMillan, the wife of a San Francisco police commissioner played by Rock Hudson. The show became a significant success with international audiences, running for five years until Saint James departed following a contractual dispute. The character was written out through a plane crash, and the program continued briefly under the title McMillan before concluding.
Following her work on that series, Saint James transitioned to comedy, starring alongside Jane Curtin in Kate & Allie from 1984 to 1989. The sitcom centered on two divorced women who had been high school friends and decided to share living quarters in Greenwich Village. The show proved popular and followed the characters as they developed a catering business while raising their combined three children.
Throughout her career, Saint James earned recognition for her performances, including a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969 and multiple additional nominations. Her filmography included appearances in movies such as Love at First Bite and various television productions spanning several decades. After stepping back from acting to focus on raising her children, she dedicated herself to volunteer work with Special Olympics. She also held a co-ownership stake in a Connecticut-based radio station from its inception until its sale in 2024.
Saint James was married three times. She is survived by her husband Dick Ebersol, several adult children, a sister, and seven grandchildren.
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