Susan Saint James Dies at 80 From Pancreatic Cancer — SkimNews
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Susan Saint James died on October 26 at age 80 from pancreatic cancer, with her death confirmed by a representative to People.
- Susan Saint James starred opposite Rock Hudson in the hit crime series McMillan & Wife, earning four Emmy nominations before departing the show due to a contract dispute.
- Susan Saint James co-starred with Jane Curtin in the CBS sitcom Kate & Allie, a critically acclaimed portrayal of divorced mothers sharing a home that earned her two Emmy nominations.
- Susan Saint James lost her 14-year-old son Teddy in a 2004 plane crash that also killed two others, an event after which she devoted time to supporting grieving parents.
- Susan Saint James delivered a deeply personal eulogy to her surviving children and husband after her son’s death, emphasizing kindness and resilience even in profound grief.
- Dick Ebersol, her husband and former NBC Sports president, survived the 2004 plane crash that claimed their son Teddy’s life and continues to be a central figure in her family legacy.
Why it matters: Her death closes a chapter on a pioneering female TV presence whose roles modeled emotional intelligence and female partnership in an era of rigid sitcom norms. The personal strength she showed after losing her son gave her public legacy a depth beyond entertainment, resonating with families who grieve.
Ask SkimNews
