Susan Saint James’ husband was Dick Ebersol, the influential American television executive and former chairman of NBC Sports. The actress, celebrated for McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, married Ebersol on November 21, 1981, just six weeks after they met during a Saturday Night Live production. Their marriage lasted nearly 45 years until Saint James died from pancreatic cancer on October 26, 2026. Together, they raised a blended family and endured the devastating loss of their youngest son, Teddy, in 2004.
Who Was Her Husband?
Dick Ebersol was Susan Saint James’ third husband and her partner for nearly 45 years.
He is a prominent television producer and businessman who helped shape American sports broadcasting.
Ebersol is particularly recognized for his leadership at NBC Sports and his involvement in the early development of Saturday Night Live.
While Saint James built her career through acting, Ebersol worked primarily behind the scenes in television production.
Their professional worlds overlapped in 1981, leading to a relationship that developed unusually quickly.
Despite their demanding careers, the couple remained married for more than four decades.
How They Met
Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol met in October 1981 when she guest-hosted Saturday Night Live.
At the time, Ebersol was serving as the show’s executive producer.
Saint James was already an established television actress, having gained recognition through successful comedy and drama series.
Their meeting took place during preparations for her appearance on the NBC sketch comedy program.
The professional introduction soon developed into a romantic relationship.
Their connection moved quickly, surprising people familiar with the couple.
Within weeks, they decided to marry.
Their love story became one of the more memorable relationships associated with the television industry.
Their Wedding
Susan Saint James married Dick Ebersol on November 21, 1981.
The wedding took place approximately six weeks after their first meeting.
Their whirlwind romance attracted attention because both were established figures in television.
Saint James had already experienced two previous marriages, while Ebersol was developing his influential broadcasting career.
Despite the speed of their courtship, their marriage proved remarkably enduring.
They remained together through major professional achievements, parenthood, and personal tragedy.
By the time of Saint James’ death in October 2026, they had spent almost 45 years as husband and wife.
Who Is Dick Ebersol?
Dick Ebersol is an American television executive best known for his work with NBC Sports and Saturday Night Live.
He played an important role in the creation and early development of Saturday Night Live alongside Lorne Michaels.
Ebersol later became a major figure in sports television.
He served as chairman of NBC Sports during a period when the network expanded its coverage of major sporting events.
His responsibilities included overseeing Olympic broadcasts and helping develop high-profile NFL programming.
Ebersol’s work influenced how American audiences watched major sporting competitions.
His television career established him as one of the industry’s most respected executives.
NBC Sports Career
Ebersol became closely associated with NBC Sports during his decades in television management.
He served as the division’s chairman from 1989 until 2011.
During that period, NBC invested heavily in broadcasting major sporting events, particularly the Olympic Games.
Ebersol helped shape the network’s presentation of international competitions for American viewers.
He was also involved in the development of Sunday Night Football, which became one of television’s most recognizable sports programs.
His achievements extended beyond individual broadcasts to broader changes in sports television production.
Following Susan Saint James’ death, NBC Sports publicly remembered her connection to the broadcasting family.
Their Three Sons
Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol had three sons: Charlie, Willie, and Edward, known as Teddy.
Their children became an important part of the couple’s life together.
Although both parents had demanding careers, they maintained a strong focus on family.
Saint James also had two children from an earlier marriage, creating a blended household.
The couple’s family experienced both joyful milestones and extraordinary hardship.
Their youngest son, Teddy, died in a plane crash in November 2004.
His death became one of the most painful events in their marriage.
The 2004 Plane Crash
On November 28, 2004, a private aircraft carrying Dick Ebersol and two of his sons crashed during takeoff in Colorado.
Ebersol was traveling with Charlie and Teddy when the accident occurred.
Dick and Charlie survived, although they sustained injuries.
Tragically, 14-year-old Teddy Ebersol died in the crash.
The accident devastated Susan Saint James and the entire family.
The loss of their youngest son brought profound grief during a period when both parents were prominent public figures.
Rather than allowing the tragedy to define their lives entirely, the family later became involved in charitable efforts honoring Teddy’s memory.
Honoring Teddy
Following Teddy’s death, Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol supported initiatives connected with children, athletics, and charitable causes.
Their family became associated with the Special Olympics, reflecting their commitment to helping young people through sports.
Teddy’s memory remained central to their philanthropic activities.
The couple’s involvement demonstrated how their personal tragedy influenced their charitable priorities.
Ebersol’s extensive background in sports broadcasting also gave him opportunities to support athletic programs.
For Saint James, family and community involvement became increasingly important as she spent less time working in television.
Her Previous Husbands
Before marrying Dick Ebersol, Susan Saint James had been married twice.
Her first husband was Richard Neubert, a scriptwriter whom she married in 1967.
Their marriage ended in 1968.
She later married Tom Lucas, a makeup artist, in 1971.
That relationship ended in divorce in 1977.
Saint James had two children, Sunshine and Harmony, from her marriage to Lucas.
Her marriage to Ebersol began four years after her second divorce.
It became the longest marriage of her life.
Susan Saint James’ Career
Susan Saint James was an American actress best known for her roles in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie.
She became a familiar television presence during the 1970s and 1980s.
Her performances combined comedy, warmth, and strong character portrayals.
In McMillan & Wife, she played Sally McMillan opposite Rock Hudson.
She later starred in Kate & Allie, portraying Kate McArdle in the popular sitcom.
Her work earned recognition from television audiences and industry organizations.
Although she gradually stepped away from regular acting roles, she remained a recognizable figure in American entertainment.
Her Death in 2026
Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026, following pancreatic cancer.
Her death brought renewed attention to her television career and decades-long marriage to Dick Ebersol.
Tributes remembered her performances, personality, and contributions to the entertainment industry.
Her family history also became part of the public remembrance.
Ebersol had been her husband since November 1981, making their marriage one of the enduring relationships associated with American television.
Her passing came just weeks before what would have been their 45th wedding anniversary.
Latest Family Update
As of November 2026, Dick Ebersol is remembered as Susan Saint James’ longtime husband.
The couple met during Saturday Night Live in October 1981 and married on November 21, 1981.
They had three sons together and raised a blended family that included Saint James’ two older children.
Their marriage endured the tragic loss of Teddy Ebersol in 2004 and continued until Saint James’ death in October 2026.
For readers searching “Susan Saint James husband,” the answer is Dick Ebersol, the former NBC Sports chairman who shared nearly 45 years of marriage with the beloved actress.
