Brief
Jamie Lee Curtis honors Susan Saint James on Instagram after actress’s death
Curtis recalled a early career comparison and praised Saint James’s spirit, while a family representative confirmed the actress’s death from cancer.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Jamie Lee Curtis posted an Instagram tribute on October 27, 2026, after actress Susan Saint James died the previous day, the Independent reports. Saint James, 80, died on October 26 following a cancer diagnosis, according to a family representative cited by People magazine.
In her post, Curtis recalled being told early in her career that she shared Saint James’s “spirit and energy.” She wrote that the comparison came from Monique James, who ran a Universal Studios contract‑player programme, and that the praise meant a great deal to her.
Curtis described Saint James as “free‑spirited, no‑nonsense, tongue‑in‑cheek,” adding that she loved the actress’s “extraordinary timing.” She highlighted Saint James’s work on the detective series McMillan & Wife (1971‑76) and the sitcom Kate & Allie (1984‑89), as well as films such as The Trouble With Angels and Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows.
The tribute also noted Saint James’s personal life. She was married to husband Dick Ebersol, and the family suffered the loss of their son Teddy, who died at 14 in an airplane accident. A family member told People that Saint James was “generous with her time and energy, which she valued more than money,” and that she taught her children to “pause, be kind and look out for other people.”
Born Susan Lee Miller in Los Angeles in 1946, Saint James first appeared on screen in the 1966 TV movie Fame is the Name of the Game and later starred in the series The Name Of The Game (1968‑71). She earned three Emmy nominations for the latter and won once. Her career also included three Emmy nominations for McMillan & Wife. Later film roles included Outlaw Blues (1977), Love at First Bite (1979) and How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1982). Her final screen appearance was in a 2011 episode of Suits.
Key facts
- Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026, after a cancer diagnosis. (independent.co.uk)
- Jamie Lee Curtis posted an Instagram tribute recalling an early career comparison to Saint James. (independent.co.uk)
- Saint James was known for roles in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, earning three Emmy nominations for each series. (independent.co.uk)
- A family representative said Saint James was generous with her time and valued kindness. (independent.co.uk)
- Saint James’s final acting role was in a 2011 episode of Suits. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Jamie Lee Curtis pays tribute to 'special' actor Susan Saint James after star's death”
