Veteran actress Susan Saint James recently passed away at the age of 80 after battling cancer for some time. Taking to her social media account, the beloved actress opened up about working with James and sharing a close bond with her, as well as how things were for her when she started off in Hollywood.
Jamie Lee Curtis pays tribute to Susan Saint James
Taking to her Instagram account, Curtis shared a post about Susan James, who is best known for her work in projects like ‘Kate and Allie’ and ‘The Name of the Game.’ She wrote, “I auditioned for a spot as a Universal Studios ‘contract player,’ which was a remnant of the old studio system from the golden age of Hollywood.”She added, “When Monique James, the woman who ran the program, announced that she had signed me to a 7-year contract, she said, and I remember it, ‘I haven’t felt the same spirit and energy in someone since we signed Susan Saint James.'” For me that was enormous praise because I LOVED Susan and her free spirit, no-nonsense, tongue-in-cheek way as an actress, beautiful, and a little ballsy, quick to crack a joke, and she had really extraordinary timing. Of course, it was put to great use in many movies, including my favorites, The Trouble With Angels and Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows, and on TV in McMillan and Wife and later, Kate and Allie.”Curtis remembered her for the various roles that she played in her life alongside her career, which included being a loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and wife. “I always considered her a bit of a spirit guide and good friend through the often turbulent waters of the entertainment business. She was a very special woman and will be greatly missed. To her family and friends, My Hand In Yours,” she concluded.While talking to PEOPLE about her passing, one of James’ family members shared that she was “generous with her time and energy, which she valued more than money, and instinctively drawn to whoever needed lifting up. She taught her children to pause, be kind, and look out for other people.” Saint James started off in the industry with the TV film ‘Fame Is the Name of the Game’ and later achieved fame when the movie became popular enough to be turned into a TV show called ‘The Name of the Game,’ which ran from 1968 to 1971. Some of her other works over the years include ‘Outlaw Blues’ (1977), ‘Love at First Bite’ (1979), and ‘How to Beat the High Cost of Living’ (1982).