Susan Saint James, the actress who charmed viewers across two decades of television, died Monday at 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Her rep confirmed the news to People on Tuesday. She was best known for her roles in the sitcoms“Kate&Allie”and“McMillan&Wife.”
Born Susan Jane Miller, she changed her name and moved to Hollywood at 20, signing a weekly contract with Universal. Her role on“The Name of the Game”earned her three Emmy nominations and one win. Off screen, she was married to NBC executive Dick Ebersol for nearly four decades, and her family remembered her as generous, someone who“never met a stranger”and taught her children to“pause, be kind and look out for other people.”She is survived by her husband, four children, seven grandchildren, her sister and her service dog, Lola.
Her death brings back a wave of nostalgia for classic TV and the comfort of watching familiar faces on screen. Which of her shows did you grow up watching? Tell us in the comments.
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Local Lawton
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