Susan Saint James died Monday after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. She was 80. A representative confirmed the news to People magazine.
Her family called her a generous woman who gave her time freely. They said she never met a stranger. She made every person feel like the most important one in the room.
She supported her family after the 2004 plane crash that killed her youngest son, Teddy. Weeks later she wrote personal notes to her other children and husband Dick Ebersol. She sat with Tim Russert soon after to thank those who reached out.
Saint James first drew notice in the late 1960s as Peggy Maxwell on “The Name of the Game.” The role brought three Emmy nominations and a win in 1969.
She starred as Sally McMillan opposite Rock Hudson in “McMillan & Wife” from 1971 to 1976. The part earned more Emmy nods and made her a familiar face on television.
In 1984 she returned in “Kate & Allie” with Jane Curtin. The sitcom about two divorced mothers ran six seasons. She earned two more Emmy nominations.
She largely left Hollywood after that to focus on family. She later appeared on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Suits.” She also worked for Special Olympics and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008.
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