RIP: Susan Saint James

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Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026 from pancreatic cancer.  She was 80.

Saint James was born Susan Jane Miller.  She began a modeling career as a teenager.  When Susan Miller decided on a career in acting she changed her name to Susan Saint James.

Ms. Jame’s first role was in a television movie called Fame is the Name of the Game.  Susan Saint James continued to get television guest appearances, and when Fame is the Name of the Game was adapted into an on-going series (Name of the Game), she was brought back as one of the stars.  Her acting as Peggy Maxwell earned Susan Saint James 4 Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Primetime Emmy Nominations with one win.

The same year that Name of the Game ended, Susan St. James got the co-starring role with Rock Hudson in McMillan and Wife.  Susan Saint James left the series after five years (and two more Outstanding Lead Actress Primetime Emmy niminations) due to a contract dispute.  The series ran with a name change (McMillan) for a much shortened sixth season.

After leaving McMillan and Wife, Susan Saint James began alternating between movie and television roles.  In 1984, Ms. James returned to television in a starring role on Kate & Allie.  The series ran for six seasons and earned Susan Saint James two more Outstanding Lead Actress Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

After Katie & Allie ended Susan Saint James took retired from acting, only returning for a few special opportunities.

Some of Susan Saint James’s television performances include: Fame is the Name of the Game;  Ready and Willing; Ironside (2 episodes); It Takes a Thief (5 episodes); McCloud; Alias Smith & Jones; The Name of the Game (38 episodes); Magic Carpet; McMillan & Wife (34 episodes); Sex and the Single Parent; S.O.S. Titanic; MASH; Kate & Allie (122 episodes); The Drew Carey Show; Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Suits; The Haunting of Bly Manor and Upload (3 episodes).

Some of Susan Saint James’s feature film appearances include: P.J.; What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?; Outlaw Blues; Love at First Bite; How to Beat the High Cost of Living and Carbon Copy.

My favorite Susan Saint James role was as Peggy Maxwell on Name of the Game.  Who wouldn’t want her as a secretary/member of the team?  Susan Saint James was the rare actress who was good whether it was a drama or comedy.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Susan Saint Jame’s family, friends and fans.