Susan Saint James, the beloved actress best known for McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, was the mother of five children. The Emmy-winning television star, who died in October 2026 at age 80, built a family that included children from two of her three marriages.
While Saint James enjoyed decades of success in Hollywood, her family remained an important part of her personal life. She welcomed two children with her second husband, Tom Lucas, and three sons with her third husband, television executive Dick Ebersol.
Several of her children pursued careers in entertainment, while others preferred quieter lives away from the spotlight. The family also endured an unimaginable tragedy when her youngest son, Teddy Ebersol, died in a plane crash in 2004.
How Many Children Did Susan Have?
Susan Saint James had five children: Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charlie Ebersol, Willie Ebersol, and Edward “Teddy” Ebersol.
Her eldest two children were born during her marriage to makeup artist Tom Lucas. Following their separation, she married Dick Ebersol, the influential NBC Sports executive associated with Saturday Night Live and major television broadcasts.
Together, Saint James and Ebersol welcomed three sons.
Although her acting career made her a household name, she often placed considerable importance on raising her children and maintaining family connections.
Four of her five children survived her, following Teddy’s death at age 14.
Sunshine Lucas
Sunshine Lucas, born in 1972, is Susan Saint James’ eldest child and only daughter.
She was born during the actress’s marriage to Tom Lucas, a professional makeup artist who worked in the entertainment industry.
Unlike her famous mother, Sunshine has generally avoided public attention.
She has not pursued the same highly visible Hollywood career associated with several members of her family.
Information about her professional activities and personal relationships remains limited, reflecting her preference for privacy.
As Saint James’ first child, Sunshine was part of the actress’s early experience of balancing motherhood with an increasingly successful television career.
Harmony Lucas
Harmony Lucas, born in 1974, is Saint James’ second child and her first son.
Like Sunshine, Harmony was born during the actress’s marriage to Tom Lucas.
However, he developed professional interests connected to the entertainment business.
Harmony has worked in music supervision and content licensing, fields that help film and television productions select, secure, and use music.
His career involves behind-the-scenes responsibilities rather than appearing in front of cameras.
Although Harmony has maintained a relatively low public profile, his professional direction reflects the entertainment connections that surrounded his upbringing.
He is one of Saint James’ children who established a career within the broader television and media industry.
Charlie Ebersol
Charlie Ebersol, born in 1982, is Susan Saint James’ son with Dick Ebersol and a television producer and writer.
Charlie followed his parents into the entertainment business, building a career centered on developing and producing television projects.
He has been associated with productions including The Recruit and other entertainment ventures.
His professional background reflects both his mother’s acting legacy and his father’s extensive experience in television production.
Charlie also attracted media attention through past relationships with well-known celebrities, including Britney Spears and Maria Sharapova.
However, his work as a producer has remained a defining part of his professional identity.
Charlie was also directly involved in the devastating 2004 plane accident that claimed his younger brother Teddy’s life.
He survived the crash alongside his father, Dick Ebersol.
Willie Ebersol
Willie Ebersol is another son of Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol who built a career in television production.
Like his brother Charlie, Willie entered the entertainment industry, although his professional interests have focused heavily on directing and producing broadcast content.
He has earned recognition for his work, including Emmy-winning television production.
His experience includes major entertainment and sports-related programming, an area closely connected to his father’s distinguished broadcasting career.
Despite growing up in a prominent entertainment family, Willie developed his own professional reputation.
His career illustrates how several of Saint James’ children continued their family’s involvement in television without necessarily pursuing acting.
Teddy Ebersol
Edward “Teddy” Ebersol was Susan Saint James’ youngest child, born in 1990.
Tragically, Teddy died on November 28, 2004, at just 14 years old, following a private plane crash in Colorado.
The aircraft was attempting to take off when the accident occurred.
Teddy was traveling with his father, Dick Ebersol, and older brother Charlie.
Both Dick and Charlie survived the crash, although they suffered injuries.
Teddy’s death devastated the family and became one of the most painful experiences of Saint James’ life.
The tragedy received national attention because of the family’s prominence in American television.
Following the accident, relatives, friends, and members of the entertainment community offered support as the family mourned.
Remembering Teddy
In the aftermath of Teddy’s death, Susan Saint James spoke openly about grief and the importance of family.
She delivered a deeply personal eulogy that reflected her love for her youngest son and her determination to support her surviving children.
Rather than withdrawing entirely from public life, Saint James later became involved in efforts to comfort other families experiencing the loss of a child.
Her advocacy and volunteer work reflected the lasting impact of Teddy’s death.
Teddy’s memory remained an important part of the Ebersol family’s story, even as his siblings continued building their careers and personal lives.
Susan’s Family Legacy
Susan Saint James died in October 2026 at age 80, leaving behind a television career remembered for her performances in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie.
Beyond her achievements as an actress, she was a mother whose family experienced both professional success and profound personal loss.
Her children followed different paths, from private lives outside Hollywood to careers in music licensing, television production, and directing.
Sunshine, Harmony, Charlie, and Willie are her four surviving children, while Teddy, who died in 2004, remains an essential part of the family’s history.
For audiences remembering Susan Saint James, her legacy extends beyond her celebrated television roles to the five children she raised and the family she cherished throughout her life.
