From “McMillan & Wife” to “Kate & Allie”: About Susan Saint James

 

Who is Susan Saint James?

Her breakthrough role was her portrayal of Sally McMillan, the attractive wife of a police commissioner in the series “McMillan & Wife”, however, Susan Saint James is perhaps still known best for her role as Kate McArdle in the sitcom “Kate & Allie”.

Besides fame, the aforementioned roles brought this actress numerous accolades and award nominations, including several for Primetime Emmys. To learn more about this versatile actress, her rise to prominence, and where she is now, keep on reading.

Early life, family, and education

Born Susan Jane Miller under the zodiac sign of Leo on 14 August 1946, as of May 2023 she’s aged 76. A native of Los Angeles, California USA, she holds American nationality and comes from a family of English, Irish and German descent.

Raised by her parents, a teacher Constance (nee Geiger), and Charles Daniel Miller, who was the president of the Testor Company, alongside her two siblings, Chuck and Merry Mercedes, Susan spent most of her childhood in her hometown.

She began modeling as a teenager while still attending a local high school, and upon matriculating in 1964, Susan enrolled at Connecticut College, from which she graduated with a BA degree in 1968.

Roles in movies

Susan made her acting debut as Peggy Chan in the 1966 TV movie “Fame Is the Name of the Game”, and followed with her role as Julia Preston in another movie made for television, “Ready and Willing” in 1967.

Later that year, Susan debuted on the big screen as Linette Orbinson in the action mystery-thriller “P.J.” The movie had no nominations but the audience loved this story of a private investigator from New York City, who takes a job as a bodyguard for the mistress of a shady millionaire.

Susan was next cast to play Rosabelle in the 1968 comedy “Where Angels Go Trouble Follows”, and the same year co-starred as Aida in another comedy, “What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?” which both received good critiques. Susan followed with her role as Ida in the mystery thriller “Jigsaw”, also starring Harry Guardino.

Susan Saint James #sexy #celebs #backintheday pic.twitter.com/zEufCPdrCC

— Sluts and Guts (@sluts_guts) December 14, 2021

In the early ’70s, Susan was seen in the TV movie “Magic Carpet” (1972), and five years later, she returned to the cinemas playing Tina Waters in “Outlaw Blues”, which was her first lead role, starring opposite Peter Fonda in this comedy-drama about Tina and her new friend Bobby, an ex-convict. The two travel across the country to catch a music star who has stolen Bobby’s song and made it a hit.

Susan played the lead female role as Cindy in the 1979 comedy horror, “Love at First Bite”, also starring George Hamilton, which brought Susan the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, Saturn Award nomination for Best Actress.

The ‘80s saw Susan in “How to Beat the High Cost of Living” (1980), “Carbon Copy” (1981), and “Don’t Cry, It’s Only Thunder” (1982).

Susan later focused on her TV series roles, until after a long hiatus, she landed a support role as a Woman in the 2019 TV drama “Holiday Hearts”, which was her most recent movie appearance.

Roles in series

Making her first television series appearance as Elaine in an episode of the series “Ironside” in 1967, Susan almost immediately gained national fame. From 1968 through 1971, she played Peggy Maxwell in the science-fiction adventure series “The Name of the Game”, also starring Robert Stack and Gene Barry.

Her performance in the show brought Susan a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series in 1969, and she was twice nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama in 1970, and ’71.

Between 1971 and 1976, Susan was seen in 34 episodes of the crime mystery drama “McMillan & Wife”, about San Francisco police commissioner Stewart, and his amateur detective wife, Sally, which had 17 award nominations, including seven Primetime Emmys, and won three.

Susan’s portrayal of Sally brought her three Primetime Emmy nominations, for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series, Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama Series – Continuing), and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series. She was also three times nominated for the Golden Globe Award – Best TV Actress-Drama, in 1972, ’73 and ’74.

In 1980, Susan guest-starred in an episode of the series “M*A*S*H” before she was cast to play Kate McArdle in the comedy “Kate & Allie”. From 1984 through 1989, Susan appeared in 122 episodes of this sitcom that followed the story of two divorced moms and their children sharing an apartment. Susan was two times nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, in 1984 and ’85.

Next, Susan was seen in an episode of the series “The Drew Carey Show” in 1996, and after a decade she returned as Monica Bradshaw in an episode of the series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”. Five years later, she made an appearance as Joy McAfferty in an episode of the hit series “Suits”, starring Meghan Markle, Gabriel Macht, and Patrick J. Adams.

Susan followed with her role in the 2020 TV mini-series “The Haunting of Bly Manor”, and she then landed the recurring role as an Old Woman in the series “Upload”. From 2020 through 2022, Susan was seen in five episodes of this science-fiction mystery-comedy about a man who after he died, was able to choose his afterlife. This was Susan’s last role before she announced her retirement.

Love life and relationships

Like her career, Susan’s love life seems to have had its ups and downs. Her first husband was filmmaker Richard Neubert. The two married on 8 July 1967, but their marriage lasted a little over a year, as they divorced in December 1968.

On 6 November 1971, Susan married Tom Lucas, a make-up department worker. They have two children together, daughter Sunshine, was born in 1972, while their son, Harmony, was born in 1974. Susan and Thomas divorced on 3 December 1979.

Two years later, Susan met her third future husband, Dick Ebersol, while Susan was guest-hosting “Saturday Night Live”, and at the time Dick was an executive producer of the show. They exchanged their wedding vows on 21 November 1981. Susan and Dick have three sons together, namely William, Edward and Charles. Sadly, their son Edward, nicknamed ‘Teddy’ died in a plane crash when he was 14 years old. In March 2002, Susan filed for divorce, however, the two reconciled later that summer.

As of May 2023, Susan is still in marriage with Dick Ebersol.

How rich is Susan Saint James?

Susan lives her life far away from the public eye in her house in Connecticut. If you have wondered how rich this actress is, according to sources, her net worth has been estimated at over $10 million, as of May 2023, most of the income earned thanks to her acting talent.