Updated: October 28, 2026
Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress known for McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, built a career full of charm and warmth. Yet her greatest role was always motherhood. She raised five children across two marriages and balanced Hollywood success with a deeply private family life. Following her death on October 26, 2026, at age 80 from pancreatic cancer, interest in Susan Saint James’s children has grown. Here is a clear look at the five kids she cherished, the joys and heartbreaks they shared, and the lasting family legacy she left behind.
Table of Contents
Early Motherhood with Tom Lucas
Susan became a mother in the early 1970s during her second marriage to makeup artist Thomas Lucas. Their daughter, Sunshine Lucas, arrived on May 6, 1972. Two years later, on November 10, 1974, son Harmony Lucas was born. Susan later explained the distinctive names by saying she chose them after concepts popular in the 1970s.
Sunshine has largely stayed out of the public eye, preferring a private life. Harmony has worked behind the scenes in entertainment as a music supervisor and content licensing specialist, with a couple of early acting credits. Both children grew up while their mother starred in hit shows, yet she often stepped back from the spotlight to prioritize family.
Building a Blended Family with Dick Ebersol
In 1981 Susan met television executive Dick Ebersol while guest-hosting Saturday Night Live. They married the same year and welcomed three sons. Charlie (Charles) Ebersol was born December 30, 1982. Willie (William) Ebersol followed on October 21, 1986. Their youngest, Edward “Teddy” Ebersol, arrived on June 10, 1990.
Charlie and Willie both followed their father into the entertainment business as producers and directors. Charlie has also drawn public attention for high-profile relationships earlier in his career and is now married with children of his own. The family settled in Litchfield, Connecticut, where Susan focused on raising her children and supporting causes such as the Special Olympics.
The Heartbreaking Loss of Teddy
Tragedy struck on November 28, 2004. A private plane carrying Dick Ebersol, Charlie, and 14-year-old Teddy crashed during takeoff in Montrose, Colorado. Dick and Charlie survived; Teddy did not. The loss deeply affected the family.
In the weeks that followed, Susan wrote a personal eulogy for Teddy in the form of notes to her husband and remaining children, offering words of healing even while grieving. She later spoke publicly about the importance of supporting other families who had lost children. Her children have since described that selfless act as one of her most defining moments.
Life After Loss and the Next Generation
Susan continued to put family first. She is survived by her husband Dick Ebersol, four children—Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charlie Ebersol, and Willie Ebersol—and seven grandchildren. Family statements after her passing highlighted how she taught her children to pause, be kind, and look out for others.
Her legacy lives on through the next generation and through the quiet strength she modeled after profound loss.
Susan Saint James Children at a Glance Child Birth Year Father Notes Sunshine Lucas 1972 Tom Lucas Only daughter; private life Harmony Lucas 1974 Tom Lucas Works in music supervision Charlie Ebersol 1982 Dick Ebersol Producer; survived 2004 crash Willie Ebersol 1986 Dick Ebersol Producer and director Teddy Ebersol 1990 Dick Ebersol Died in 2004 plane crash at age 14
Key points about the family:
- Susan had five children total from two marriages.
- Four of her children survive her.
- Charlie and Willie built careers in television production.
- The family has seven grandchildren.
- Susan’s response to Teddy’s death remains a powerful example of putting others first.
Conclusion
Susan Saint James’s children reflect the full arc of her life—joyful beginnings, blended family bonds, professional success, and quiet resilience through tragedy. Sunshine, Harmony, Charlie, and Willie carry forward the values she taught them: kindness, presence, and care for others. Teddy’s memory continues to shape the family’s story with grace. As fans remember the actress who lit up living rooms for decades, her most enduring role remains that of a devoted mother. For those who value precision and reliable standards in any field, resources like gmdcalibration.in offer a reminder that careful attention to detail matters in every area of life.