Susan Saint James diagnosed with pancreatic cancer before her at 80: Remembering the Kate & Allie star

Susan Saint James spent decades entertaining television audiences with her memorable performances in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie. Away from the screen, she was known for her warmth, kindness and dedication to her family. The Emmy-winning actress died on October 26, 2026, at the age of 80, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her representative confirmed to PEOPLE. Her death marks the end of a long career that made her a familiar face on American television. But her family remembers her for much more than her acting achievements.

Who was Susan Saint James?

Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, Saint James grew up in Rockford, Illinois. She began working as a model during her teenage years and later moved to Hollywood to pursue acting. Her early television work included the crime drama The Name of the Game, in which she played research assistant Peggy Maxwell. The role earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969.

She went on to build a successful television career, earning recognition for her ability to play confident, independent women. Her performances helped establish her as one of the familiar television stars of the 1970s and 1980s.

‘McMillan & Wife’ and ‘Kate & Allie’ made her a star

Saint James became widely known for playing Sally McMillan opposite Rock Hudson in the crime series McMillan & Wife, which ran from 1971 to 1977. Her character was more than a police commissioner's wife, often bringing humour and intelligence to the show's investigations.

She later found another major success with the CBS sitcom Kate & Allie, which aired from 1984 to 1989. She played Kate McArdle, a divorced mother who shared a home with her friend Allie, played by Jane Curtin. The show explored friendship, parenthood and the challenges of raising children after divorce. Saint James received further Emmy nominations for her performance.

The Associated Press noted that the series offered a different picture of family life on television, with two women building a household together rather than following the traditional sitcom format.

Susan Saint James’ life away from Hollywood

Saint James married television executive Dick Ebersol in 1981 after meeting him when she hosted Saturday Night Live. They had three sons together: Charlie, Willie and Teddy. She also had two children, Sunshine and Harmony, from her previous marriage to makeup artist Tom Lucas.

After Kate & Allie ended, she largely stepped away from acting to focus on raising her family. She later made occasional appearances in shows including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Suits. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008. Her family also remembered her for her kindness. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, they said she was “generous with her time and energy” and always looked for ways to help others.

The family tragedy that shaped her life

In November 2004, Saint James and Ebersol lost their 14-year-old son, Teddy, in a private plane crash in Colorado. Ebersol and their son Charlie survived the crash. According to the Associated Press, Saint James later helped other families dealing with the loss of a child. Her family recalled that, only weeks after Teddy's death, she delivered his eulogy as a message to her husband and other children, offering them words of comfort.

Her life was marked by both professional success and personal loss. Yet her family says she continued to put others first. Susan Saint James leaves behind a legacy of memorable television roles and a reputation for making people feel valued. For viewers who grew up watching her, she will be remembered as a talented actress who brought warmth and personality to every role she played.