Susan Saint James: A Legendary Journey Through Hollywood

When Susan Saint James first arrived in Los Angeles as a young woman, she found herself living at the iconic Hollywood Studio Club. "It was founded by none other than Mary Pickford herself," Susan exclusively shares with Closer. "My mom was thrilled because Grace Kelly had lived there. I started taking acting lessons, but I quickly realized that you could easily get stuck in acting class. Plus, I needed to make a living." This marked the beginning of a journey that would see Susan rise to become one of Hollywood's most beloved actresses.

It wasn’t long before Susan became a familiar face on television. Her breakout role as research assistant Peggy Maxwell on The Name of the Game earned her an Emmy and propelled her into the spotlight. She then went on to star in McMillan & Wife, and a decade later, returned to television with Kate & Allie. "I’m still close with Jane [Curtin] and all the kids," Susan, now 77, reminisces. "It was an absolute blast."

Early Life and Influences

So, Susan, tell us about your childhood.

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"I was born right here in Los Angeles and lived there until I was 12. Then we moved to Illinois. After finishing school, I headed to New York and never looked back. It was the start of a new chapter in my life," Susan recalls with a warm smile.

You began modeling as a teenager. How did that happen?

"I was on my way to college, but I never made it there because I wanted to earn a living. I was just 16 and living at the Barbizon Hotel. I modeled for a few months, put together a portfolio, and then headed to France. I speak French fluently, and I stayed there for a while because when Kennedy was shot in November, I was heartbroken. It felt like the end of the world."

Advice to Her Younger Self

By 1966, you had moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Is there anything you wish you could have told your younger self?

"You have to go into this world with the mindset that nothing will deter you. I tell people that talent, being interesting, and being yourself adds 100 percent. For me, it happened pretty fast, but you have to be the last person standing. Persistence is key."

Did you have any role models when you were starting out?

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"Oh, absolutely. Paula Prentiss was my ideal. Later, I worked with Dick Benjamin, who was married to her, and I told him, 'I’m only here because of your wife.' She was funny, beautiful, and I wanted to be just like her."

Meeting Her Idols

Did you get the chance to meet many of your idols?

"Absolutely! I had the pleasure of working with Robert Wagner on several shows. I adored him and even fell for him. He introduced me to Paul Newman, which was a dream come true."

You also played Rock Hudson’s spouse on McMillan & Wife. Were you a fan of his?

"Oh, definitely! A few years earlier, I stood in line to watch Pillow Talk and Please Don’t Eat the Daisies. He was every girl's dream. Once, I followed him to the market with my girlfriend just to see what he bought! Imagine my surprise when I ended up playing his wife."

Lessons from Rock Hudson

What did you learn from working with Rock Hudson?

"Rock taught me the importance of making the set a pleasant place. Joking around with everyone keeps the atmosphere light. He was also incredibly prepared, never once stepping onto the set unprepared. His professionalism was unmatched."

How did your role on McMillan & Wife change the trajectory of your career?

"After McMillan & Wife, I did a couple of movies, including Love at First Bite with George Hamilton, which was a hit. But as I started having more kids, I realized I wanted to return to television to earn a steady income and take care of my family. That decision worked out perfectly for me."