Dick Ebersol Wife: The Family Life He Shared With Susan Saint James

Former NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol is mourning the loss of his wife, Emmy-winning actress Susan Saint James, who died on October 26, 2026, at the age of 80 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. The couple had been married for nearly 45 years, building one of television’s longest-lasting relationships. Their marriage began with an unexpected meeting on the set of Saturday Night Live and continued through decades of professional success, family milestones and personal tragedy.

Saint James, remembered for her performances in Kate & Allie and McMillan & Wife, married Ebersol in November 1981, only six weeks after they first met. Their relationship survived a temporary separation in 2002 and the heartbreaking loss of their youngest son, Teddy, in a plane crash two years later.

Who Was Dick Ebersol’s Wife, Susan Saint James?

Susan Saint James was an American actress best known for her work in television comedies and dramas. She became a familiar face to millions of viewers during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, earning recognition for her natural acting style and memorable characters.

Born on August 14, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, Saint James began her entertainment career as a model before moving into television acting.

Her breakthrough came with the NBC series The Name of the Game, where she played Peggy Maxwell. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award and helped establish her reputation as a talented television actress.

She later appeared alongside Rock Hudson in McMillan & Wife, playing Sally McMillan. The series became one of her best-known projects and further increased her popularity.

Another major career achievement came with the CBS sitcom Kate & Allie, which premiered in 1984. Saint James starred opposite Jane Curtin in a comedy about two divorced women raising their children together in New York City.

The show attracted a loyal audience and received several award nominations during its successful run.

Despite her television fame, Saint James gradually reduced her acting commitments to spend more time with her family.

Her marriage to Dick Ebersol became an important part of her personal life, particularly as they raised their children while maintaining demanding careers in the entertainment industry.

Who Is Dick Ebersol?

Dick Ebersol is a prominent American television executive and producer who spent decades shaping sports and entertainment programming.

He was born on July 28, 1947, in Torrington, Connecticut. His interest in broadcasting eventually led him to work with some of the most influential figures in American television.

Ebersol played an important role in the early development of Saturday Night Live alongside creator Lorne Michaels. His involvement helped establish the comedy program as an important part of NBC’s television schedule.

He later became executive producer of the show during a period of major changes in its cast and production.

Outside entertainment programming, Ebersol built an even larger reputation through his work with NBC Sports.

As chairman of NBC Sports, he helped oversee coverage of major sporting events, including the Olympic Games, professional football and other nationally televised competitions.

His approach to sports broadcasting placed considerable emphasis on storytelling, production quality and presenting athletes as personalities rather than simply competitors.

Over the years, Ebersol received numerous professional honors recognizing his contributions to American television.

Although his career brought him considerable public attention, his marriage to Susan Saint James remained one of the most important relationships in his personal life.

How Did Dick Ebersol Meet Susan Saint James?

Dick Ebersol and Susan Saint James first met on October 10, 1981, when the actress appeared as a guest host on Saturday Night Live.

At the time, Ebersol was serving as the show’s executive producer, while Saint James was already an established television star.

Their meeting happened through work, but their personal connection developed remarkably quickly.

Within weeks, the two had decided to marry, surprising people who were familiar with their busy professional lives.

On November 21, 1981, they exchanged wedding vows during a private ceremony at Saint James’ home in the Hollywood Hills.

Their marriage came just six weeks after their first meeting, making it an unusually fast romance even by Hollywood standards.

However, what initially appeared to be a whirlwind relationship developed into a marriage that lasted nearly four and a half decades.

Both were already successful in television when they met, which gave them an understanding of the demanding schedules and public attention associated with the industry.

Saint James continued acting after their wedding, while Ebersol remained deeply involved in television production and sports broadcasting.

Their shared connection to the entertainment business helped shape the early years of their married life.

How Many Children Did Dick Ebersol and Susan Saint James Have?

Dick Ebersol and Susan Saint James had three sons together: Charles, commonly known as Charlie, William, known as Willie, and Edward, affectionately called Teddy.

Saint James also had two children from her previous marriage to makeup artist Tom Lucas, a daughter named Sunshine and a son named Harmony.

Their household included children from different stages of Saint James’ life, creating a blended family.

As her children grew older, Saint James increasingly focused on motherhood and family responsibilities rather than pursuing a constant schedule of television projects.

Ebersol’s work frequently involved major broadcasting commitments, particularly during Olympic coverage and other important sporting events.

Balancing those responsibilities with family life required adjustments, especially as their children became involved in their own activities and interests.

Charlie Ebersol later followed a career in entertainment and media production, establishing himself as a producer and entrepreneur.

The family generally maintained a private lifestyle despite the public recognition surrounding both parents.

Their children became an important part of the couple’s story, particularly after a devastating event changed their lives in 2004.

The Plane Crash That Changed Their Family Forever

One of the most painful experiences in Dick Ebersol and Susan Saint James’ marriage occurred in November 2004.

Ebersol was traveling aboard a private aircraft with two of his sons when the plane crashed during takeoff from Montrose Regional Airport in Colorado.

The accident happened on November 28, 2004, and resulted in the loss of their youngest son, Edward Ebersol, widely known as Teddy.

He was only 14 years old.

Dick Ebersol and his son Charlie survived the crash, although both sustained injuries. The accident also claimed the lives of two crew members.

The tragedy deeply affected the family and became one of the defining personal experiences of their lives.

For Saint James, losing her youngest child brought an unimaginable change to everyday life.

She later discussed grief and the difficult process of continuing life after losing a child, acknowledging that such an experience permanently changes a family.

Rather than withdrawing entirely from public life, Saint James became involved in efforts to support other families experiencing similar losses.

Teddy’s memory remained important to his parents and siblings.

The family also supported charitable activities connected to his name, including efforts encouraging children to participate in sports and community programs.

The loss of Teddy was a devastating chapter in the Ebersol family’s history, but Dick and Susan remained together as they faced the years that followed.

Their experience brought a more personal dimension to a marriage that had previously been associated mainly with television success and celebrity life.

Did Dick Ebersol and Susan Saint James Ever Separate?

Although Dick Ebersol and Susan Saint James remained married for nearly 45 years, their relationship was not without difficulties.

In March 2002, Saint James filed for divorce, bringing their marital problems into public attention.

The separation surprised many people who had followed the couple’s relationship since the early 1980s.

However, the divorce was never finalized.

After spending time apart, Ebersol and Saint James reconciled later that year and decided to continue their marriage.

Saint James subsequently spoke about their renewed relationship, describing the reconciliation as an opportunity to begin again.

She expressed happiness about the changes they had made and suggested that the experience had given them a different understanding of their marriage.

Their reconciliation proved significant because it allowed the couple to continue building their life together.

Two years later, they faced the devastating plane crash that claimed Teddy’s life.

Their decision to remain married through subsequent decades became an important part of their relationship history.

The couple did not publicly discuss every disagreement or private challenge, but their reconciliation demonstrated that their marriage had experienced serious difficulties before continuing.

What Did Dick Ebersol Say About His Wife?

Dick Ebersol has spoken warmly about Susan Saint James and the importance of their relationship.

In his 2022 memoir, From Saturday Night to Sunday Night: My Forty Years of Laughter, Tears, and Touchdowns in TV, he reflected on his professional career and the people who shaped his personal life.

The book explored his experiences in television, including his involvement with Saturday Night Live and NBC Sports.

It also addressed important family experiences, including his marriage and the loss of his son.

Ebersol described Saint James as the greatest partner he had ever had, expressing his appreciation for their long relationship.

His comments offered a rare personal glimpse into a marriage that generally remained separate from the public side of his broadcasting career.

Saint James had also spoken positively about their reconciliation after the difficulties they experienced in 2002.

Together, their public comments suggested that the relationship developed and changed over time rather than remaining exactly as it had been when they first married.

Their shared history included career achievements, raising children, family challenges and decades of everyday married life.

Was Dick Ebersol Married Before Susan Saint James?

Yes, Dick Ebersol was previously married to Susan Stafford, a television personality best known for her work as the original hostess of Wheel of Fortune.

Their marriage ended before Ebersol began his relationship with Saint James.

Stafford became widely recognized during the early years of Wheel of Fortune, appearing on the game show before Vanna White took over the role.

Ebersol’s marriage to Saint James was his second publicly documented marriage.

Their relationship began in 1981 and continued until the actress’ passing in October 2026.

While his earlier marriage is part of his personal history, Ebersol’s relationship with Saint James became far more prominent because of its duration and their shared experiences.

Who Were Susan Saint James’ Previous Husbands?

Before marrying Dick Ebersol, Susan Saint James had been married twice.

Her first husband was Richard Neubert, whom she married in 1967.

The marriage was relatively brief and ended in divorce in 1968, during the early stages of her entertainment career.

She later married makeup artist Tom Lucas in 1971.

Their marriage lasted several years, and they welcomed two children, Sunshine and Harmony.

Saint James and Lucas divorced in 1977, but they reportedly maintained a friendly relationship after their separation.

Her third marriage began when she met Dick Ebersol on Saturday Night Live in 1981.

Unlike her previous marriages, her relationship with Ebersol continued for more than four decades.

Their marriage also connected two established figures from different areas of the television industry.

Saint James was known primarily for her acting, while Ebersol built his career in television production and sports broadcasting.

Susan Saint James’ Final Years and Family Life

During the later years of her life, Susan Saint James largely remained away from regular television acting.

Although she occasionally participated in entertainment-related appearances and public events, she did not return to the demanding acting schedule that had defined her earlier career.

Family remained an important part of her life.

She and Ebersol had experienced many changes since their marriage in 1981, including the growth of their family and the arrival of grandchildren.

Saint James also remained associated with charitable activities and causes connected to children and families.

Her experiences as a mother, particularly following Teddy’s passing, influenced some of her public conversations about family and grief.

Despite her reduced television presence, she remained recognizable to audiences who remembered her performances in McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie.

Her career represented an important period in American television, when network sitcoms and dramas regularly attracted millions of viewers.

Dick Ebersol’s Family After Susan Saint James’ Passing

Susan Saint James died on October 26, 2026, at the age of 80 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Her family confirmed her passing in a statement released the following day.

She was survived by her husband, Dick Ebersol, four living children, seven grandchildren and her sister.

Her passing brought renewed attention to her television career and her long marriage to Ebersol.

For viewers who followed Saint James during the height of her acting career, her relationship with the former NBC Sports chairman remained an important part of her life story.

The couple had shared nearly 45 years of marriage, beginning with their unexpected meeting at Saturday Night Live and continuing through family life, professional achievements and personal hardships.

Ebersol, who turned 79 in July 2026, remains widely recognized for his contributions to American sports broadcasting.

His marriage to Saint James, however, represents a different part of his legacy.

Their relationship began quickly, experienced difficult periods and continued for decades despite the pressures associated with public careers.

Susan Saint James will be remembered for her work in television, her dedication to family and her enduring relationship with Dick Ebersol. Their marriage remains a significant chapter in both of their lives, shaped by love, reconciliation and the family they built together.