Updated: October 28, 2026
Susan Saint James, the Emmy-winning actress best known for McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, left an indelible mark on television. Fans still search for details about Susan Saint James’ husband, especially after her recent passing. Her long marriage to television executive Dick Ebersol stands as the defining partnership of her personal life. Here is a clear look at the man she shared more than four decades with, along with the earlier chapters of her romantic history.
Table of Contents
Early Marriages Before Finding Lasting Love
Susan Saint James married three times. Her first marriage was to aspiring writer-director Richard Neubert in 1967. The union lasted only about a year and ended in divorce in 1968, well before her major career breakthroughs.
In 1971 she married makeup artist Thomas Lucas. They had two children together—daughter Sunshine Lucas (born 1972) and son Harmony Lucas (born 1974)—before divorcing in 1977. The couple remained on friendly terms afterward. These early relationships shaped her path as a working mother balancing Hollywood demands with family life.
Meeting Dick Ebersol: A Fast and Lasting Romance
While guest-hosting Saturday Night Live in October 1981, Saint James met Dick Ebersol, then the show’s executive producer. The connection was immediate. Ebersol later recalled falling in love almost at once. They married just weeks later, on November 21, 1981, at her Hollywood Hills home.
Dick Ebersol went on to become a major figure in television as chairman of NBC Sports and a key force behind Olympic broadcasts. The couple settled into family life, raising children in Connecticut while supporting each other’s careers. Saint James largely stepped back from acting after Kate & Allie to focus on home, while Ebersol continued his high-profile work.
Family Life, Challenges, and Reconciliation
Together, Susan and Dick had three sons: Charles (Charlie), William (Willie), and Edward (Teddy). In 2002 she filed for divorce, but the couple reconciled later that same year. She described the reunion as a second chance and said she felt happier.
Tragedy struck in November 2004 when a private plane carrying Dick, Charlie, and Teddy crashed during takeoff in Colorado. Dick and Charlie survived, but 14-year-old Teddy was killed. The family faced profound grief. Saint James later devoted time to supporting other parents who had lost children, showing the same quiet strength that defined her public image.
Quick Facts About Susan Saint James and Her Husband
Detail Information Primary Husband Dick Ebersol (married 1981–2026) Marriage Length Approximately 45 years Previous Husbands Richard Neubert (1967–1968), Tom Lucas (1971–1977) Children with Ebersol Charlie, Willie, Teddy (d. 2004) Children with Tom Lucas Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas Susan’s Passing October 26, 2026, age 80 (pancreatic cancer)
Key points that stand out:
- Dick Ebersol was her third and longest-lasting husband.
- They met on the set of Saturday Night Live and married within weeks.
- The couple weathered a brief separation and a devastating family loss.
- Ebersol has called her the greatest partner he ever had.
- She is survived by Ebersol, four of her five children, and seven grandchildren.
Conclusion
Susan Saint James’ husband, Dick Ebersol, remained by her side for 45 years until her death on October 26, 2026. Their story includes whirlwind romance, career balance, reconciliation, and deep family resilience. While earlier marriages shaped her early adulthood, her partnership with Ebersol defined her later life. Fans remember her not only for the bright, spirited roles she played on screen but also for the steady private life she built with the man she met in a television studio more than four decades ago. Her legacy of warmth, generosity, and quiet strength continues through the family she loved.