In this week’s edition of PEOPLE, actress Susan Saint James and her niece Christa Miller explore their unexpected family dynamics and the profound bond that has formed over the years. Their connection, originally sparked by a fateful magazine cover, showcases how family history can profoundly affect relationships and personal identities.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Susan-Saint-James_Christa-Miller_PEOPLE-02-ccc8b1aba6fd4679b1789da22bd61345.jpg)
Susan Saint James, now 79, graced the cover of PEOPLE magazine in September 1977. It was a change that would ultimately lead to a significant turn in her family’s story. The issue found its way into the hands of a young Christa Miller, only 11 years old at the time, courtesy of her grandmother. It was during this encounter that Christa learned a life-altering family secret: the man raising her, a Yale-educated surgeon, was not her biological father. Her true father was Chuck Miller, Susan’s brother.
Reflecting on their childhood, Susan explained, “I knew Christa when she was a little baby.” However, the family found themselves distanced when Chuck’s previous decisions led him to step back from her life. “Nobody was communicating because my dad had said, ‘You better not,’ and ‘Give Christa a chance.’ It was just so ’60s,” she recalled, hinting at the complexities of family relationships during that era.
Christa’s early life was influenced by her mother, model Bonnie Trompeter, and her father’s struggles. Born in New York City to Chuck and Bonnie, her parents’ divorce when she was just two years old marked a pivotal moment in Christa’s story. Chuck’s gambling issues played a role in her upbringing, prompting her paternal family to decide that it would be best for her to grow up without him in her life.
Despite the distance imposed on them, Susan maintained a connection to Christa, cherishing the memories from afar. “If we went to my attic right now in Connecticut, there’d be some book with all the pictures,” she shared, signifying the deep longing to be part of Christa’s life. “It would have been a whole different world for my brother if he’d had Christa in his life then, even partially.”
The young Christa, meanwhile, was left with an intriguing secret to keep. “My grandmother told me not to tell anyone,” she recounted. She found solace in the PEOPLE magazine, secretly examining the images of her cousins, fascinated by the names that seemed so unusual to her.
It wasn’t until Christa turned 16 that she finally met Chuck, who had remarried after serving in the Marines. In a significant gesture, Chuck invited Christa to Los Angeles to meet Susan in 1981. The reunion was seamless as Christa quickly felt at home among her newfound family. “Susan instantly welcomed me and brought sunshine into my life,” she said warmly, reminiscing about that transformative experience.
As the years went by, Christa grew close to Chuck, maintaining regular communication until his passing in 2017. She described their relationship as warm and supportive, stating, “He was lovely and fun. He gave me great advice. I would call him every day.”
Susan, who gained fame from her role in the series *McMillan & Wife* and later starred in the iconic sitcom *Kate & Allie*, expressed pride in Christa’s accomplishments within the entertainment industry. “We got her back, and then we all followed along because now we had this relationship,” she noted.
Christa’s career took off after she made her television debut on *Kate & Allie* in 1985, and she went on to achieve significant success in shows such as *The Drew Carey Show*, *Scrubs*, and *Cougar Town*. Her latest role is in the Apple TV+ series *Shrinking*, which has gained critical acclaim.
“I’m just so proud,” shared Susan, affirming her belief in Christa’s talent. “I always could tell Christa would be an actress. Shrinking is, to me, one of a kind. I’m waiting for them to give you the Emmy. You’ve earned it, Christa.” Christa responded appreciatively, acknowledging Susan’s unwavering support by stating, “You’re my biggest champion.”
The journey of discovering one’s family, as shared by Susan and Christa, highlights the importance of connection and the powerful impact of love within a family. Their story is a reminder that family ties can be restored and strengthened over time, creating a lasting legacy of support and encouragement.
All three seasons of *Shrinking* are currently available for streaming on Apple TV+, allowing viewers to enjoy Christa Miller’s latest work while also celebrating the heartwarming family bond she shares with Susan Saint James.