Susan Saint James, "Kate & Allie" Star, Celebrates 80th Birthday in Final Photos
The Emmy-nominated actress appeared in high spirits at a party held at her Los Angeles home months before her passing.
Actress Susan Saint James, known for her role in the beloved sitcom "Kate & Allie," celebrated her 80th birthday with a gathering at her Los Angeles home. The final photographs of Saint James show her appearing joyful, dressed in a Spiritual Gangster tank top, tennis skirt, and sneakers, accessorized with sunglasses and a red headband.
Saint James' family confirmed her death on Tuesday, announcing that she passed away on Monday following a battle with pancreatic cancer. The date of her diagnosis was not disclosed.
Her family shared that the milestone birthday celebration on August 14 was spent with her children and grandchildren. The previous night, Saint James attended a Doobie Brothers concert. The band, with whom the "McMillan & Wife" alum had toured in the 1970s and 80s, surprised her with a birthday wish and dedicated their song "Black Water" to her. Her family noted this dedication was particularly poignant as it was her late son Teddy's favorite song.
The birthday festivities continued the following day with a backyard gathering attended by her entire family, including her husband, Dick Ebersol. Her family reported that she described the two days as "one of the best two days of her entire life." They also highlighted her joy in her seven grandchildren, who range in age from 5 to 18.
Saint James was a prominent television presence throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Her career-defining role as Kate McArdle in "Kate & Allie" began in 1984. The sitcom followed two divorced best friends who move in together with their children. Saint James, having been divorced twice herself, related to the character's challenges as a divorced woman.
Throughout her career, Saint James received six Emmy nominations, earning two more for "Kate & Allie." In her personal life, she was married to scriptwriter Richard Neubert, followed by makeup artist Tom Lucas, with whom she had two children, Sunshine and Harmony. Her marriage to NBC executive Dick Ebersol, whom she met while hosting "Saturday Night Live," resulted in three sons: Charles, William, and Edward (Teddy).
Tragically, her youngest son, Teddy, died at the age of 14 in a plane crash in 2004. He was traveling with his father and brother Charles after a Thanksgiving celebration. Saint James honored his memory by helping dedicate Teddy Ebersol's Red Sox Fields at Lederman Park in Boston in 2006.