If you grew up in the seventies or eighties, you probably remember Susan Saint James as the quirky, lovable star of McMillan & Wife and later, Kate & Allie. She had that effortless smile, the kind that made you feel like she was your cool aunt who always showed up with a bag of licorice. But if you’ve been wondering, “What is Susan St. James doing today?”—well, grab a cup of coffee, because her story is even warmer than a TV rerun.

These days, you won’t find Susan on a Hollywood red carpet, clutching a designer handbag. Instead, she’s living what most of us only dream about: a quiet, joyful life in the Connecticut countryside. Think less paparazzi flashbulbs, and more tending to her rose garden or feeding the birds outside her kitchen window. It’s the kind of retirement that makes you sigh and think, “Okay, that sounds nice.”

From Sitcom Star to Farm-to-Table Grandma

Susan and her husband, producer Dick Ebersol, bought a historic 1790s farmhouse years ago, and she threw herself into restoring it. You know how normal people spend weekends binge-watching Netflix? Susan spent her weekends learning to plaster walls and plant heirloom tomatoes. She once joked in an interview that she got more satisfaction from fixing a leaky faucet than from getting a perfect movie take.

Today, her daily routine is delightfully unfancy. She wakes up early, makes a pot of strong coffee, and walks her dogs along the dirt roads near her home. Neighbors say she’s just “one of the guys,” stopping to chat about the weather or the price of local honey. It’s a long way from the soundstage, but she seems happier than ever.

Why Should You Care About a ‘90s Star’s Garden?

Here’s the thing: Susan’s story isn’t just nostalgia for old TV fans. It’s a real-life lesson about handing the spotlight back to nature and family. In an age where everyone is chasing likes and followers, she quietly cashed out her fame chips for something more valuable: peace of mind. Remember that moment your phone buzzed with a work email during your vacation? Susan basically decided to live on permanent “do not disturb.”

Susan Saint James: Comedia y Televisión Clásica con Carisma y EleganciaSusan Saint James: Comedia y Televisión Clásica con Carisma y Elegancia

But life wasn’t all sunshine and compost. In 2004, her son Teddy died in a private plane crash, a tragedy that would break anyone. Susan took a long step back from public life to grieve and heal. Today, she channels her energy into supporting her remaining children (including actor/snowboarder Shaun White’s mom, mind you) and volunteering locally. She’s proof that you can endure heartbreak and still find small, daily joys—like a perfect blueberry muffin or a rescued stray cat.

The Surprising Thing She Does for Fun

You’d think a former TV star would spend her days on a yacht, right? Not Susan. She’s an avid knitter and crochets scarves for friends and neighbors. Yes, that same woman who bantered with Rock Hudson is now making cozy hats for newborns at the local hospital. She’s even posted a few knitting patterns online (under a pseudonym, of course) because she “loves how the craft brings people together.”

Susan Saint James Today Susan St. James Pictures And PhotosSusan Saint James Today Susan St. James Pictures And Photos

She also dotes on her grandkids, often showing up at their soccer games with a cooler full of orange slices. If you ever see a silver-haired lady cheering louder than any parent, that’s probably Susan. She lives for those simple, muddy-knee moments—way more than she ever lived for Emmy acceptance speeches.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Susan Saint James today is a reminder that fame is just a costume you wear for a while. Eventually, you take it off and hang it in the back of the closet. What matters then is how you spend your Tuesday afternoons—whether it’s gardening, knitting, or just watching the sunset with your dog. She swapped applause for a good harvest, and that’s a trade many of us secretly crave.

If you ever see her at a local farmer’s market, don’t ask for an autograph. Just compliment her zucchini. She’ll probably tell you how she grew it from seed, and you’ll both have a laugh about the squirrels. That’s the Susan Saint James of today: real, unpolished, and quietly wonderful.

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