Susan Saint James

Susan Saint James is an American former actress and model. Born Susan Jane Miller on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, she is widely known for her roles in television series such as the spy drama It Takes a Thief, the crime series McMillan & Wife, and the hit sitcom Kate & Allie.

Saint James was raised in Rockford, Illinois, where she began modeling during her teenage years. Her parents were Constance, a teacher, and Charles Daniel Miller, who worked for Mitchell Camera and later served as president of the Testor Corporation. During her early school years, she attended the Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois, and later attended Connecticut College.

Her screen career began with the 1966 television movie Fame Is the Name of the Game. When the project was adapted into a television series running from 1968 to 1971, Saint James was cast as research assistant Peggy Maxwell. Her performance earned her an Emmy Award in 1969 and established her reputation as a popular young actress. During this period, she also made appearances on Ironside, featured in the film Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows, and played the recurring role of thief Charlene "Chuck" Brown on It Takes a Thief.

In 1971, Saint James achieved her first starring role as Sally McMillan opposite Rock Hudson in the popular crime series McMillan & Wife, earning four Emmy Award nominations during her tenure through 1976. Following a contract dispute, she left the show to pursue feature films. She co-starred in Outlaw Blues in 1977, the comedy Love at First Bite in 1979, and How to Beat the High Cost of Living in 1980 alongside Jessica Lange and Jane Curtin.

Saint James returned to major television success starring opposite Jane Curtin in the comedy series Kate & Allie from 1984 to 1989, receiving two additional Emmy Award nominations. During this period, she also served as a celebrity guest commentator alongside Vince McMahon for the World Wrestling Federation's WrestleMania 2 in 1986.

After Kate & Allie ended, Saint James retired from full-time acting in her mid-40s to focus on her family and charitable work. She became heavily involved with the Special Olympics, an organization she supported starting in 1972, serving on its board and as a celebrity chairperson for Civitan International. She also joined the board of the Telluride Foundation and co-founded Seedling and Pip, a baby gift basket business, in 1998.

Following her retirement, Saint James made occasional guest appearances on television series such as The Drew Carey Show and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and starred in a 1999 stage production of The Miracle Worker. On June 11, 2008, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.