Susan Saint James, the beloved television actress best remembered by many as Rock Hudson’s on-screen wife, has been spotted celebrating a major milestone.
The Emmy-winning star, who marked her 80th birthday on August 14, enjoyed a Los Angeles celebration earlier this month surrounded by loved ones.
Before the festivities, Saint James was seen stepping out for a sunny stroll, while a striking floral arrangement was photographed arriving ahead of the birthday gathering with family and friends.
Keeping her look relaxed and effortless, the TV favorite wore a top emblazoned with the words “Spiritual Gangster,” pairing it with a mini skirt and crisp white sneakers.
The Los Angeles native, who also made a guest appearance on the classic hit series M*A*S*H, revealed a distinctive ankle tattoo during the casual outing.
The mystery star is none other than Susan Saint James, whose decades-long screen career continues to resonate with television fans.
Susan Saint James, who famously played Rock Hudson’s wife on television, celebrated her 80th birthday on August 14 with a Los Angeles party earlier this month
The Emmy-winning actress kept things casual in a “Spiritual Gangster” top, a mini skirt and white sneakers during her birthday outing
That’s right! It’s Susan Saint James, who is known for portraying Sally McMillan in the police procedural series McMillan & Wife alongside Hudson from 1971 through 1976.
The Daily Mail has reached out to James for comment.
The star was born in August 1946 in Los Angeles and began modeling as a teenager. She spent a little over a year working as a model in France before relocating back to Los Angeles.
She took acting classes and eventually signed with Universal Pictures at the age of 19 through the help of an agent that was close to one of her friends.
‘An agent who was friends with my friend got me into Universal and they signed me into a contract at 19,’ she recalled during a past interview with Yahoo Beauty.
‘They sent me over to read for a part, I met with the director, and he said, “Can you read this?” I read it really fast, I was so nervous. He said, “Perfect, just a little bit faster and you’ve got the part.”‘
The role was in the 1966 TV film titled Fame Is The Name Of The Game – and she played the character of Peggy Chan.
She later starred in the show based on the made-for-TV film called Name Of The Game from 1968 until 1971.
James starred alongside Tony Franciosa, Gene Barry and Robert Stack.
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It’s Susan Saint James, who is best known for portraying Sally McMillan in the police procedural series McMillan & Wife alongside Hudson from 1971 through 1976
After her exit from McMillan & Wife in 1976, she went on to star in other projects such as the 1977 movie Outlaw Blues with Peter Fonda (seen above)
She wore a red bandana and shielded her eyes with a pair of sunglasses
Her look was completed with a mini skirt and white sneakers
She enjoyed a sunny stroll before having a gathering with family and friends
She showed off her unique ankle tattoo
The star was seen carrying what looked to be a cup of coffee in her hand
She put her arms on display in the sleeveless top
A stunning floral arrangement was pictured being delivered for the birthday festivities
Based on her performance, James won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
The actress also appeared in episodes of the ABC show It Takes A Thief starring Robert Wagner.
And beginning in 1971, she was cast as Sally in the NBC series McMillan & Wife with her leading co-star Hudson.
Hudson had also been a prominent figure in the Golden Age of Hollywood, starring in movies such as Giant (1956), Pillow Talk (1959) and Send Me No Flowers (1964).
James received both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her role in the detective series.
The creator of the show Leonard B. Stern previously opened up to the Television Academy Foundation about casting James and called her ‘a delight.’
Stern added, ‘Our casting person in New York knew of them and knew talent. He was a divining rod when it came to gifted young people. And Rock felt comfortable with Susan.’
After her exit from McMillan & Wife in 1976, she went on to star in other projects such as the 1977 movie Outlaw Blues with Peter Fonda.
Pictured with James Hamilton in a still from the 1979 film Love At First Bite
She also made a guest appearance on the smash hit TV show M*A*S*H
The mom-of-five mostly stepped away from acting after 1989, occasionally making appearances in projects such as The Drew Carey Show in 1996; She is pictured in 1979
Two years later, she appeared in the comedic horror movie Love At First Bite with George Hamilton and Richard Benjamin.
Her career continued into the 80s where she was cast in another hit series titled Kate & Allie beginning in 1984 alongside Jane Curtin.
The CBS sitcom followed two divorced mothers who began living together and raised their kids in the same home.
James played Kate McArdle in the series and raked in two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
The mom-of-five mostly stepped away from acting afterwards, occasionally making appearances in projects such as The Drew Carey Show in 1996.
She has made brief returns to television by taking on guest roles in shows such as Law & Order: SVU and Suits.
Her last acting credit was the series Upload where she appeared in three episodes from 2020-2022.
The actress also previously opened up to Yahoo Beauty about her positive approach to aging.
‘I think part of it is that you have to do a few little things. I like to read up and keep hip to things.
Saint James has been married to television executive Dick Ebersol since 1981; The two pictured in 1988
‘It’s yoga. It’s sleep. You know, you start to age and it’s hard to look in the mirror or see a picture. I fight the good fight,’ she added, before also giving a shout out to her husband Dick Ebersol.
She has been married to the television executive since 1981.
Saint James shares three children – Charlie, Willie, and Teddy – with Ebersol, as well as two older children, Sunshine and Harmony, from her previous marriage to Thomas Lucas, whom she divorced in 1977.
Her youngest son, Teddy, was killed in November 2004 at 14-years-old when a charter jet carrying him, his father, and his brother Charlie crashed during takeoff in Colorado.
