Susan Saint James Children: Her Life as a Mother to Sunshine, Harmony, Charlie, Willie and Teddy
Susan Saint James is the mother of five children, and her family has remained one of the most important parts of her life beyond Hollywood. The Emmy-winning actress, best known for McMillan & Wife and Kate & Allie, welcomed two children during her marriage to Tom Lucas and three sons with her husband, television executive Dick Ebersol. Her family experienced a devastating tragedy in November 2004 when her youngest son, Teddy Ebersol, was killed in a plane crash at the age of 14.
Although Saint James enjoyed a successful television career, she gradually stepped away from regular acting to focus on raising her children. Her decision reflected a personal commitment to family life at a time when she was already one of America’s most recognizable television actresses.
How Many Children Does Susan Saint James Have?
Susan Saint James has five children from two marriages.
She welcomed her first two children, Sunshine Lucas and Harmony Lucas, with her second husband, makeup artist Tom Lucas.
Following their divorce, Saint James married television executive Dick Ebersol in November 1981.
The couple welcomed three sons: Charlie Ebersol, Willie Ebersol, and Edward “Teddy” Ebersol.
Her children grew up during a period when both Saint James and Ebersol were established figures in American television.
While their parents worked in entertainment and broadcasting, the family generally maintained a relatively private lifestyle.
Saint James has occasionally discussed motherhood in interviews, but she has avoided sharing extensive personal information about all her children.
Who Are Susan Saint James’s Daughters Sunshine and Harmony Lucas?
Susan Saint James welcomed two daughters during her marriage to Tom Lucas.
Their names are Sunshine Lucas and Harmony Lucas.
The actress married Lucas in 1971, and their relationship ended in divorce in 1977.
Unlike their mother, Sunshine and Harmony have largely remained outside the entertainment spotlight.
There is limited reliable public information about their careers, marriages, or current personal lives.
Their mother became increasingly famous during their childhood through her work on McMillan & Wife.
Despite her demanding acting schedule, Saint James remained committed to her responsibilities as a parent.
After marrying Dick Ebersol, she continued raising her daughters alongside the three sons she later welcomed.
Her blended family became an important part of her life away from television.
Charlie Ebersol: Susan Saint James’s Son and Television Producer
Charlie Ebersol is one of Susan Saint James’s three sons with Dick Ebersol.
He followed his parents into the entertainment industry and established a career as a television producer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur.
Charlie became involved in documentary filmmaking and television production.
His professional projects have included work exploring sports, business, and entertainment.
He also gained attention for co-founding the Alliance of American Football, a professional football league that launched in 2019.
The league ceased operations during its inaugural season.
Charlie’s involvement in sports-related ventures reflected his family’s longstanding connection to television and athletics.
His father, Dick Ebersol, spent decades overseeing major sports broadcasting operations.
Charlie has occasionally discussed his family experiences, including the profound impact of the plane crash that claimed his younger brother’s life.
Willie Ebersol: What Is Known About Susan Saint James’s Son?
Willie Ebersol is another son of Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol.
Compared with his parents and brother Charlie, Willie has maintained a relatively private public profile.
He grew up in a household where television production, sports broadcasting, and entertainment were familiar parts of everyday life.
However, reliable information about his current professional activities and personal relationships is limited.
His family has generally respected the privacy of members who do not regularly participate in public entertainment activities.
Willie was also part of the family during the difficult years following the loss of his younger brother Teddy.
Although his parents have occasionally discussed their family’s experiences, Willie has not been the subject of extensive media coverage.
Teddy Ebersol: Susan Saint James’s Youngest Son
Edward “Teddy” Ebersol was the youngest son of Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol.
He was born in 1990 and grew up in Connecticut with his family.
Teddy was known for his interest in sports and his involvement in activities with friends and relatives.
His life was tragically cut short on November 28, 2004, when a private aircraft crashed during takeoff at Montrose Regional Airport in Colorado.
He was 14 years old.
His father, Dick Ebersol, and older brother Charlie were aboard the aircraft and survived.
The accident devastated the family and attracted widespread attention because of his parents’ prominence in television.
Friends, colleagues, and members of the entertainment community expressed sympathy following the tragedy.
Teddy’s memory has remained an important part of the Ebersol family’s life, with charitable initiatives helping preserve his legacy.
How Susan Saint James Honored Teddy Ebersol’s Memory
Following Teddy’s passing, Susan Saint James and Dick Ebersol supported efforts to honor their youngest son.
The family became associated with charitable projects intended to benefit children and encourage participation in sports and community activities.
One significant tribute was the Teddy Ebersol’s Red Sox Fields project in Boston.
The initiative helped improve recreational baseball facilities and created opportunities for young athletes.
The project reflected Teddy’s enthusiasm for sports and his family’s commitment to supporting children.
For Saint James, these efforts provided a meaningful way to celebrate her son’s life.
The family has continued to remember Teddy through personal tributes and community involvement.
His legacy remains closely connected to the family’s charitable activities.
Why Did Susan Saint James Step Away From Acting?
Susan Saint James became one of the most successful television actresses of her generation.
She earned recognition through The Name of the Game, McMillan & Wife, and Kate & Allie.
Her performances brought Emmy recognition and established her as a familiar face in American households.
However, she gradually reduced her acting commitments after becoming a mother.
Raising five children required considerable time, particularly while her husband managed demanding responsibilities in television broadcasting.
Saint James chose to prioritize family life rather than continue working on a full-time television schedule.
She later made occasional appearances but did not return to the same level of regular acting work.
Her decision allowed her to spend more time with her children during their formative years.
Susan Saint James’s Marriage to Dick Ebersol
Susan Saint James married Dick Ebersol on November 21, 1981.
Ebersol became one of the most influential executives in American sports television, particularly through his leadership at NBC Sports.
The couple built their family while balancing careers in different areas of the entertainment industry.
Saint James had already welcomed two daughters from her previous marriage.
Together, she and Ebersol raised Charlie, Willie, and Teddy.
Their marriage endured significant professional changes and the devastating loss of their youngest son.
As of October 2026, they have been married for nearly 45 years.
The couple have generally maintained a private family life, spending much of their time away from Hollywood.
Where Are Susan Saint James’s Children Today?
Susan Saint James’s surviving children have followed different paths in adulthood.
Charlie Ebersol developed a public career in television production, filmmaking, and business.
Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, and Willie Ebersol have maintained comparatively private lives.
Because they are not all public figures, detailed information about their current activities is not consistently available.
The family continues to be associated with Teddy Ebersol’s memory and the charitable initiatives established in his honor.
Although Saint James has largely retired from regular acting, her family remains an important part of her personal story.
Her experiences as a mother have shaped many of the decisions she made throughout her career.
Susan Saint James’s Children and Family Legacy
Susan Saint James is the mother of five children: Sunshine Lucas, Harmony Lucas, Charlie Ebersol, Willie Ebersol, and Teddy Ebersol.
Her two daughters were born during her marriage to Tom Lucas, while her three sons were born during her marriage to Dick Ebersol.
Although Charlie pursued a career in entertainment and business, several of her other children have preferred private lives.
The loss of Teddy in 2004 became a defining event for the family, inspiring charitable work that continues to honor his memory.
Beyond her achievements as an Emmy-winning actress, Saint James’s role as a mother remains central to her life and personal legacy.
