Susan Saint James was an American actress who became a familiar face on television through her memorable performances in The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife, and Kate & Allie. Known for her lively personality and natural comedic timing, she built a successful career during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
Beyond her acting achievements, Susan Saint James was recognized for her family life and long-standing involvement with Special Olympics. Her decision to step away from regular acting also became a point of interest for fans who wanted to understand what happened to the television star after her most successful years.
This guide explores Susan Saint James’ biography, age, husband, children, movies and TV shows, relationship with Rock Hudson, departure from McMillan & Wife, and reasons for retiring from acting.
Who Was Susan Saint James?
Susan Saint James, born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, was an American actress and activist. She grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and later pursued modeling before entering the entertainment industry.
Her breakthrough came when she played Peggy Maxwell in the television series The Name of the Game. The role helped her establish herself as a promising performer and earned her an Emmy Award.
She gained even greater recognition as Sally McMillan in McMillan & Wife, opposite Rock Hudson. Years later, she returned to television comedy as Kate McArdle in Kate & Allie, a series that explored friendship, family, and life after divorce.
Saint James eventually reduced her acting commitments to focus on raising her children and supporting charitable causes. Her career remains an important part of classic American television history.
How Old Was Susan Saint James?
Susan Saint James was born on August 14, 1946. She was 80 years old in 2026.
She began her entertainment career as a young woman and became a recognizable television actress before reaching her mid-20s. Her success continued through several decades, allowing her to work across crime dramas, sitcoms, films, and television movies.
Although she eventually stepped away from regular acting, her performances continued to attract viewers interested in classic television programs.
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Susan Saint James’ Early Life and Acting Career
Susan Saint James grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged an active life. Her mother and grandmother were schoolteachers, and she attended Connecticut College for Women before pursuing a professional entertainment career.
She worked as a model during her teenage years, gaining experience in the United States and France. She later moved to California, where she secured an opportunity with Universal Studios.
One of her early television appearances was in Fame Is the Name of the Game, which led to her role in the series The Name of the Game. Her performance as Peggy Maxwell earned her industry recognition and helped establish her career.
Rather than limiting herself to one genre, Saint James took roles in crime dramas, romantic comedies, and feature films. Her versatility became one of her defining strengths as an actress.
Susan Saint James Movies and TV Shows
Susan Saint James became best known for her television work, but her film appearances also contributed to her reputation. Three productions stand out when looking at her career.
The Name of the Game
In The Name of the Game, Saint James played Peggy Maxwell, an editorial assistant who became involved in investigative stories and mysteries.
The role helped introduce her to a national television audience. Her performance earned a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969, marking an important milestone early in her career.
The series also provided a foundation for her later success in television dramas.
McMillan & Wife
McMillan & Wife premiered in 1971 and starred Rock Hudson as San Francisco police commissioner Stewart McMillan, with Susan Saint James playing his wife, Sally.
The show combined crime investigations with humor and elements of domestic life. Sally was an energetic character who frequently became involved in the mysteries her husband investigated.
Saint James’ chemistry with Hudson helped make the series popular. She received multiple Emmy nominations for her performance and became closely associated with the character.
Her departure in 1976 marked the end of an important chapter in her television career, but it was not the end of her work as an actress.
Kate & Allie
In 1984, Saint James returned to television in Kate & Allie, starring alongside Jane Curtin.
She played Kate McArdle, a divorced mother who shared a home with her friend Allie. Together, the women managed parenting, work, relationships, and the practical challenges of rebuilding their lives.
The sitcom ran until 1989 and became one of Saint James’ most recognizable projects. Its themes of friendship and family independence helped it connect with audiences.
The show’s conclusion later became a turning point in her career, as Saint James chose to move away from regular acting.
Other Movies and Television Appearances
Saint James also appeared in films such as Outlaw Blues (1977), Love at First Bite (1979), and How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980).
These projects demonstrated her ability to work beyond television series, particularly in comedy and drama.
She made occasional television appearances after her most active acting years, including guest roles in later productions. However, she increasingly focused on family life and charitable work rather than pursuing a constant presence on screen.
Did Rock Hudson and Susan St. James Get Along?
Yes. Susan Saint James and Rock Hudson reportedly shared a warm and friendly relationship while working together on McMillan & Wife.
Saint James spoke positively about her late co-star in an interview published in 2024. She described him as engaging, wonderful, friendly, and fun to work with. She also recalled that he was rarely unpleasant and that they enjoyed their time together on set.
Their on-screen relationship worked well because the show blended mystery with comedy and romantic moments. Hudson played the more composed police commissioner, while Saint James brought energy and humor to the role of Sally McMillan.
Their friendship also continued beyond filming. Saint James recalled spending time reminiscing with Hudson after an event honoring him during the 1980s.
Hudson died in 1985, but Saint James continued to speak fondly of him. Her recollections suggest that their professional partnership was built on mutual warmth and respect rather than conflict.
Why Did Susan Saint James Leave McMillan & Wife?
Susan Saint James left McMillan & Wife in 1976 when her contract ended. She wanted to explore opportunities in feature films instead of continuing to work primarily in television.
In a Television Academy interview, she explained that she wanted to try movies because she worried that remaining in television might limit her opportunities on the big screen.
This decision reflected a common challenge for television actors at the time. Moving from a successful series into feature films could be difficult, but Saint James pursued projects such as Outlaw Blues and Love at First Bite.
Her departure did not mean that she had fallen out with Rock Hudson or the show’s cast. In later interviews, she expressed positive feelings about Hudson and their time working together.
Her decision was therefore a career choice rather than evidence of a personal dispute or a sudden end to her acting career.
Whatever Happened to Susan Saint James?
Susan Saint James continued acting after leaving McMillan & Wife. She appeared in feature films and television productions before returning to a major television role in Kate & Allie in 1984.
After Kate & Allie ended in 1989, she stepped away from regular acting. She increasingly devoted her time to her five children, her husband Dick Ebersol, and her charitable interests.
She also maintained a long-standing relationship with Special Olympics, an organization she had supported since the early 1970s. Her involvement grew into leadership and advocacy work.
Although she made occasional appearances after leaving regular television work, she largely chose a quieter life away from Hollywood’s constant attention.
Her story is an example of an entertainer who achieved professional success and later decided that family and community service deserved more of her time.
Why Did Susan Saint James Stop Acting?
Susan Saint James stopped acting regularly after Kate & Allie ended in 1989. She was in her early 40s and decided to prioritize raising her children and volunteering.
Her decision was not simply a reaction to changing television trends. She had already achieved considerable success, earned industry recognition, and worked across several genres.
Saint James had five children and wanted to devote more time to family life. Her charitable work, especially with Special Olympics, also became a central part of her identity.
Stepping away from acting allowed her to focus on these commitments without the demands of a full-time television career.
She did not completely disappear from entertainment, however. She made occasional appearances in later productions, but regular acting was no longer her primary focus.
Susan Saint James’ Husband and Children
Susan Saint James married three times. Her first marriage was to Richard Neubert in 1967. She later married makeup artist Tom Lucas in 1971, and they had two children before divorcing.
In 1981, she married Dick Ebersol, a prominent television executive known for his work with NBC and Saturday Night Live. The couple had three sons together.
Saint James had five children in total: Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charles Ebersol, William Ebersol, and Edward Ebersol.
The family experienced a devastating tragedy in November 2004 when a private plane carrying Ebersol and two of their sons crashed in Colorado. Ebersol and Charles survived, but their 14-year-old son Edward, known as Teddy, died in the accident.
The loss was a deeply personal event for the family. Saint James continued to be associated with her commitment to family and charitable work in the years that followed.
Susan Saint James’ Awards and Achievements
Susan Saint James received significant recognition throughout her acting career.
Her achievements included a Primetime Emmy Award for The Name of the Game in 1969 and several additional nominations for her performances in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie.
She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008 in recognition of her television career.
Beyond entertainment, she received honors for her volunteer work and advocacy. Her involvement with Special Olympics became a major part of her public legacy.
These accomplishments reflect a career that combined professional success with long-term service to others.
Susan Saint James’ Legacy Beyond Hollywood
Susan Saint James is remembered for more than her most famous television roles. Her performances helped popularize independent, energetic female characters who could be funny, intelligent, and capable of handling complicated situations.
Through McMillan & Wife, she became part of a successful mystery series. With Kate & Allie, she helped bring stories about friendship, single parenthood, and changing family structures to television audiences.
Her charitable work added another dimension to her life. She supported Special Olympics for decades and contributed to efforts that promoted inclusion and athletic opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
For viewers revisiting classic television, her work remains a reminder of how popular entertainment can reflect changing attitudes toward women, careers, and family life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Susan Saint James
What ever happened to Susan Saint James?
Susan Saint James continued acting after leaving McMillan & Wife, later starring in Kate & Allie. After that series ended in 1989, she stepped away from regular acting to focus on raising her children and supporting Special Olympics.
Did Rock Hudson and Susan St. James get along?
Yes. Saint James spoke warmly about Rock Hudson in later interviews, describing him as friendly, engaging, and wonderful to work with. Their professional relationship was positive, and she recalled fond memories of their time together on McMillan & Wife.
Why did Susan Saint James quit McMillan and His Wife?
Susan Saint James left McMillan & Wife in 1976 when her contract ended because she wanted to pursue opportunities in feature films. She later explained that she did not want to remain exclusively associated with television.
Why did Susan Saint James stop acting?
Saint James stepped away from regular acting after Kate & Allie ended in 1989. She chose to focus on raising her five children and dedicating more time to volunteer work, particularly with Special Olympics.
What was Susan Saint James best known for?
She was best known for playing Sally McMillan in McMillan & Wife, Peggy Maxwell in The Name of the Game, and Kate McArdle in Kate & Allie.
Who was Susan Saint James married to?
Her husband was Dick Ebersol, a television executive associated with NBC and Saturday Night Live. They married in 1981.
How many children did Susan Saint James have?
She had five children from her marriages to Tom Lucas and Dick Ebersol.
Conclusion
Susan Saint James built a lasting career through memorable television performances, from The Name of the Game to McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie. Her chemistry with Rock Hudson, decision to pursue film roles, and eventual retirement from regular acting help explain why audiences continue to ask about her life.
After leaving the entertainment industry, she devoted more time to her family and charitable work, particularly Special Olympics. Her career remains an important part of American television history, while her service beyond Hollywood adds to the legacy she leaves behind.
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