Susan Saint James Biography, Age, Husband, Children, Career and Net Worth

Early Life and Background

Susan Saint James was born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, United States. Her parents were Charles Daniel Miller and Constance Geiger Miller. Her father worked in business, while her mother and grandmother were schoolteachers.

Although she was born in California, Saint James grew up primarily in Rockford, Illinois, after her family relocated there during her childhood. Her upbringing encouraged her to develop her interests and pursue opportunities beyond traditional expectations.

As a teenager, she began modeling in the United States and France. This experience introduced her to professional photography and the entertainment industry, eventually helping her transition into acting.

Saint James adopted her professional name as she began pursuing roles in television and film. Her early experiences in modeling and her move to California helped establish the foundation for a career that would span several decades.

Education and Early Interests

Saint James attended Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois. She later attended Connecticut College for Women, now known as Connecticut College.

Rather than completing a conventional college-to-career path, she pursued professional opportunities in entertainment. Her interest in acting eventually led her to California, where she secured a contract with Universal Studios.

Her early career developed during a period when television was expanding its range of dramas, crime series, and situation comedies. Saint James found opportunities to demonstrate her acting abilities through guest appearances and supporting roles before landing the part that established her reputation.

A completed college degree is not publicly confirmed.

Acting Career and Breakthrough

Susan Saint James began appearing in television productions during the 1960s. One of her early screen credits was the 1966 television production Fame Is the Name of the Game, in which she played Peggy Maxwell, an editorial assistant who became involved in investigative stories.

The production developed into the television series The Name of the Game, which premiered in 1968. Saint James continued playing Peggy Maxwell, a character whose intelligence, curiosity, and willingness to investigate complicated situations made her an important part of the show.

Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969. The recognition established her as a promising television actress and opened the door to additional roles.

She also appeared in It Takes a Thief, a crime-adventure series starring Robert Wagner. Her recurring appearances demonstrated her ability to work in different television formats and helped strengthen her professional reputation.

In 1971, Saint James landed another major role as Sally McMillan in McMillan & Wife. She starred opposite Rock Hudson, playing the adventurous wife of a San Francisco police commissioner. The program combined crime investigations with comedy and personal storylines, giving her opportunities to display both dramatic and comedic skills.

Her performance earned multiple Emmy nominations. She remained with the series until 1976, after which she pursued other acting opportunities, including feature films and television movies.

During the late 1970s, she appeared in films such as Outlaw Blues and Love at First Bite. These projects allowed her to explore different genres, from crime and music-related drama to comedy.

In 1984, Saint James returned to television in one of her most recognizable roles. She played Kate McArdle in the sitcom Kate & Allie, alongside Jane Curtin. The series followed two divorced women who shared a home and raised their children together in New York City.

The show explored friendship, parenting, independence, and the challenges of rebuilding family life after divorce. Its success brought Saint James to a new generation of viewers and earned her additional Emmy nominations.

Kate & Allie concluded in 1989. After the series ended, Saint James stepped away from regular acting to concentrate on her family and charitable activities. Although she made occasional appearances in later productions, she did not return to a comparable full-time television schedule.

Notable Movies and Television Shows

Susan Saint James appeared in a variety of television dramas, comedies, and feature films throughout her career.

The Name of the Game

The NBC drama The Name of the Game ran from 1968 to 1971. Saint James played Peggy Maxwell, the role that brought her widespread recognition and earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969.

It Takes a Thief

In this crime-adventure series, she appeared as a recurring character alongside Robert Wagner. Her performances helped establish her versatility during the early years of her television career.

McMillan & Wife

Saint James played Sally McMillan opposite Rock Hudson from 1971 to 1976. The combination of mystery, comedy, and character-driven storytelling made the series an important part of her career.

Outlaw Blues

Released in 1977, Outlaw Blues featured Saint James alongside Peter Fonda. The film gave her an opportunity to explore a different type of character from those she had played in television dramas.

Love at First Bite

This 1979 comedy starred George Hamilton as a modernized version of Dracula. Saint James played Cindy Sondheim, contributing to the film’s romantic comedy storyline.

How to Beat the High Cost of Living

Released in 1980, this comedy featured Saint James alongside Jane Curtin and Jessica Lange. The film followed three women dealing with financial pressures and considering an unusual solution to their problems.

Kate & Allie

Running from 1984 to 1989, Kate & Allie became one of Saint James’s best-known television projects. Her portrayal of Kate McArdle helped establish the series as a memorable sitcom about friendship, family responsibilities, and independent women.

Other credits included Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows, The Great Waldo Pepper, and guest appearances in television productions later in her career.

Awards and Career Achievements

Saint James received significant recognition for her work in television. Her most notable achievement was winning a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969 for her performance in The Name of the Game.

The Television Academy records eight Emmy nominations and one win for her career. Her nominations included recognition for her performances in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie.

In 1994, she was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in recognition of her contributions to arts and humanities.

She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the television category on June 11, 2008.

Beyond entertainment, Saint James received recognition for her involvement with Special Olympics. Her charitable activities included serving on the organization’s board and supporting initiatives that expanded opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

She also received honorary doctorates from several Connecticut institutions, including the University of Connecticut, the University of Bridgeport, Southern Connecticut State University, Albertus Magnus College, and the University of New Haven.

These achievements reflect her contributions both as a television performer and as a supporter of charitable causes.

Age, Date of Birth, and Nationality

Susan Saint James was born on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, United States.

She is 80 years old as of October 2026. Her nationality is American, and she is professionally known as an actress and philanthropist.

Her career became particularly prominent during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Although she later stepped away from regular acting, her performances in classic television series continue to attract interest from viewers.

Husband, Marriages, and Children

Susan Saint James has been married three times and has five children.

Her first marriage was to Richard Neubert, a writer and aspiring filmmaker. They married in 1967, but their marriage ended in divorce in 1968.

In 1971, she married Thomas Lucas, a makeup artist. They had two children, Sunshine Lucas and Harmony Lucas, before their marriage ended in divorce.

Saint James later met television executive Dick Ebersol while hosting Saturday Night Live in 1981. Ebersol was an influential television executive associated with the program and later held senior positions at NBC.

The couple married on November 21, 1981, and had three sons: Charles, William, and Edward, who was commonly known as Teddy.

In November 2004, the family experienced a devastating tragedy when a private plane carrying Ebersol and their sons Charles and Teddy crashed in Colorado. Ebersol and Charles survived, but 14-year-old Teddy died in the accident, along with the pilot and a flight attendant.

The loss was a significant event in the family’s life. Saint James and Ebersol have generally kept their family matters private while continuing to raise awareness of the importance of family and personal resilience.

Saint James’s five children are Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charles Ebersol, William Ebersol, and Edward Ebersol. Her marriage to Dick Ebersol remains the marriage identified in established biographical records.

Net Worth and Sources of Income

Susan Saint James’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. No sufficiently reliable financial disclosure or well-supported estimate has been identified to establish her current wealth.

Her career included decades of television work, film appearances, and starring roles in successful network productions. These professional activities provided opportunities for earnings, but her actual salaries, residual payments, investments, and property holdings are not publicly established.

In 1998, Saint James co-founded Seedling and Pip, a baby gift-basket business, with her sister Mercedes Dewey and friend Barrie Johnson. However, reliable information about the company’s current financial performance or the value of Saint James’s personal interest is not publicly confirmed.

Some celebrity websites publish estimated net worth figures without explaining their methodology or providing dependable financial records. Such estimates should not be treated as established facts.

For that reason, Susan Saint James’s net worth should be listed as not publicly confirmed rather than assigned an unsupported dollar amount.

Current Activities and Life Away From Acting

After Kate & Allie ended in 1989, Saint James stepped away from regular television acting to concentrate on her family and charitable interests.

One of her most important commitments outside entertainment has been Special Olympics. Her involvement began while she was working on McMillan & Wife. What started as an invitation to help the organization developed into a longstanding commitment that included board service and volunteer activities.

Saint James has also maintained interests outside the entertainment industry through family commitments and business activities. Her later screen appearances have been occasional rather than part of a sustained return to acting.

In June 2026, an interview published by People discussed her family relationship with actress Christa Miller, her niece. The interview described Saint James as retired from acting and highlighted her pride in Miller’s professional achievements.

In August 2026, reports documented Saint James celebrating her 80th birthday with family and friends at her home in Los Angeles. The gathering provided a rare public glimpse into her life away from Hollywood.

As of October 2026, no new full-time acting project has been reliably confirmed. Details about her current business responsibilities and the extent of her ongoing charitable activities are not publicly confirmed.

Legacy and Influence

Susan Saint James made a lasting contribution to American television through her performances in The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife, and Kate & Allie.

Her Emmy-winning role as Peggy Maxwell established her as a talented performer during the late 1960s. Her work opposite Rock Hudson in McMillan & Wife further demonstrated her ability to balance comedy and drama, while Kate & Allie introduced her to audiences through a sitcom centered on friendship, parenting, and independence.

The success of Kate & Allie was particularly significant because it placed two women at the center of a story about family life and rebuilding after divorce. Saint James and Jane Curtin helped make the relationship between their characters the foundation of the show.

Her legacy also extends beyond entertainment. Through her involvement with Special Olympics, she used her public profile to support opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

Her induction into the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame and her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame recognize different aspects of her achievements. Together, these honors reflect her influence as both an actress and a philanthropist.

Saint James’s decision to retire from regular acting also forms an important part of her story. She chose to devote more time to her family and charitable interests rather than continue pursuing leading television roles.

Her career remains a notable example of an actress who achieved success in several distinct television eras while maintaining interests beyond Hollywood.

Conclusion

Susan Saint James built a distinguished television career through memorable performances in The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife, and Kate & Allie. Her Emmy win, multiple nominations, and Hollywood Walk of Fame star demonstrate her contribution to American entertainment.

Away from the screen, she became known for her longstanding support of Special Olympics and her commitment to family life. Her marriage to television executive Dick Ebersol and her five children are important parts of her personal history.

Although her exact net worth remains unconfirmed, her professional accomplishments and charitable contributions are well documented. For viewers interested in classic American television, Saint James remains a significant performer whose career combined popular entertainment with a commitment to community service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Susan Saint James?

Susan Saint James was born on August 14, 1946, and is 80 years old as of October 2026.

What is Susan Saint James famous for?

She is best known for playing Peggy Maxwell in The Name of the Game, Sally McMillan in McMillan & Wife, and Kate McArdle in Kate & Allie.

Who is Susan Saint James’s husband?

Her husband is television executive Dick Ebersol. They married in 1981.

How many children does Susan Saint James have?

She has five children: Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charles Ebersol, William Ebersol, and Edward Ebersol. Edward, known as Teddy, died in a plane crash in 2004.

What is Susan Saint James’s net worth?

Her exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. Reliable financial information sufficient to establish a specific figure is not available.

Did Susan Saint James win an Emmy Award?

Yes. She won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1969 for her supporting performance in The Name of the Game. She received additional nominations for her work in television.

Is Susan Saint James still acting?

She retired from regular acting after Kate & Allie ended in 1989. She made occasional appearances in later productions, but a return to full-time acting has not been confirmed.

What does Susan Saint James do now?

She has largely remained away from regular acting, focusing on her family and charitable interests. Reports in 2026 documented her 80th birthday celebration and an interview discussing her niece, actress Christa Miller.