Susan Saint James, ‘Kate & Allie’ and ‘McMillan & Wife’ actor, dead at 80

Susan Saint James, an Emmy-winning TV and film star of the 70's and 80's, has passed away at the age of 80, according to a statement from her family. The versatile actress, known for her husky voice and kindness, was celebrated for her generosity with time and energy, always finding ways to lift others up. Her first major role came in the 1966 TV movie Fame Is The Name Of The Game, where she played Peggy Maxwell alongside Tony Franciosa's investigative reporter.

Saint James won a Best Supporting Actress Emmy in 1969 for her role in the subsequent series The Name Of The Game, and she was nominated for a total of four Emmys during her five-year stint in McMillan & Wife alongside Rock Hudson.

Her career extended to notable films such as Outlaw Blues, Love At First Bite, and How To Beat The High Cost Of Living, as well as her iconic role in the sitcom Kate & Allie. Saint James' connection to SNL alum Jane Curtin led to a significant personal and professional milestone when she met and married SNL producer Dick Ebersol in 1981. The couple had three sons, but unfortunately, their youngest, Teddy, died in a plane crash in 2004.

Saint James, who had previously been married to makeup artist Thomas Lucas, also had two daughters, Harmony and Sunshine. Her relationships with Curtin and Curtin's on-screen character, Allie Lowell, were subjects of both controversy and critical acclaim for Kate & Allie. After the show's cancellation, Saint James made sporadic appearances on various TV shows, with her final onscreen credit coming in 2011.

She died peacefully on Monday, surrounded by her family, including her husband Ebersol, four children, and seven grandchildren. Saint James will also be remembered as the aunt of actress Christa Miller.