Beloved Star of ‘McMillan & Wife’ Dies at 80

Susan Saint James, Beloved Star of ‘McMillan & Wife’ and ‘Kate & Allie,’ Dies at 80

Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress whose wit and warmth made her a familiar presence on American television, died on October 26, 2026. She was 80. Her representative confirmed her death to People.

Her cause of death was metastatic pancreatic cancer, according to a death certificate obtained by People on November 5. The document indicated that the illness had been present for months. Her family remembered her generosity, kindness and ability to make those around her feel valued.

Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, Saint James grew up in Rockford, Illinois. She worked as a model before beginning an acting career that brought an Emmy in 1969 for her performance as research assistant Peggy Maxwell in The Name of the Game.

Wider recognition followed with McMillan & Wife, in which she played Sally McMillan opposite Rock Hudson. Her lively performance earned three Emmy nominations. She later found another enduring television partnership with Jane Curtin in Kate & Allie, the sitcom about two divorced friends raising their children together.

Beyond acting, Saint James devoted time to Special Olympics and family life. After Kate & Allie ended in 1989, she largely stepped away from her career to raise her children, although she continued making occasional television appearances.

She is survived by her husband, television executive Dick Ebersol, four children and seven grandchildren. Their youngest son, Teddy, died in a plane crash in 2004.