Why Susan Saint James Left Hollywood At The Height Of Her Kate & Allie Fame
At the height of her television career, Susan Saint James retired from acting when the CBS sitcom "Kate & Allie" ended in 1989. Saint James, who died of pancreatic cancer on October 26 at age 80, earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her role as Kate McArdle in the show, which ran for 122 episodes from 1984 to 1989. Despite her success, Saint James decided to step away from regular acting work to focus on herself and her family.
"Kate & Allie" was filmed in New York City, but Saint James and her family were living in Litchfield, Connecticut, after moving from California. A mother of four at the time, the actress was juggling work and family, and the stress eventually took a physical toll, including kidney stones.
After largely retiring from acting, the "Kate & Allie" star occasionally returned to television. She made guest appearances on "The Drew Carey Show," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Suits," and "The Haunting of Bly Manor." Most recently, she had a three-episode stint on the Prime Video series "Upload."
Susan Saint James had major TV roles before Kate & Allie
Raised in Rockford, Illinois, Saint James made her television debut in the 1966 TV movie "Fame Is the Name of the Game." The film served as a pilot for the similarly named TV series "The Name of the Game." Saint James reprised her role in the show, but her character was renamed Peggy Maxwell. In 1969, she won an Emmy for her work in the supporting role. It was the only time she won an Emmy, but she went on to receive several other nominations.
"Kate & Allie," which is currently streaming on The Roku Channel, became one of Saint James' best-known projects, but her work on the mystery series "McMillan & Wife" helped make her a household name. She played the titular wife, Sally McMillan. Saint James left the NBC series, which aired in rotation with "Columbo," amid a contract dispute, and her character was killed off in a plane crash.
Saint James would ultimately return to series television with "Kate & Allie," but after "McMillan & Wife," she worked largely in films and TV movies.