Suzanne Somers, the vibrant and talented actress renowned for her role as Chrissy Snow on the hit TV show “Three’s Company,” as well as her successful ventures as an entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author, has passed away at the age of 76.
Somers bravely battled breast cancer for over 23 years and tragically lost her life early Sunday morning. Her family, including her husband Alan Hamel, her son Bruce, and other close relatives were at her side in Palm Springs, California during her final moments.
The family’s statement expressed that they had intended to gather together to celebrate Suzanne’s 77th birthday on October 16th. However, instead of a birthday celebration, they will now commemorate her extraordinary life and extend their gratitude to her millions of beloved fans and followers.
In July, Somers revealed through an Instagram post that her breast cancer had returned. Despite the devastating news, she approached the situation with unwavering strength and determination. She shared with Entertainment Tonight, “Like any cancer patient, when you get that dreaded ‘It’s back,’ you get a pit in your stomach. Then I put on my battle gear and go to war. This is a familiar battleground for me, and I’m prepared to fight.”
Somers was initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and had also endured a previous struggle with skin cancer. Her choice to rely on a chemical-free and organic lifestyle to combat her illnesses garnered some controversy. She openly advocated against chemotherapy in her books and appearances on platforms like “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which drew criticism from the American Cancer Society.
Born in 1946 in San Bruno, California, Somers experienced a tumultuous childhood with an alcoholic and abusive father. She entered into marriage at a young age, marrying Bruce Somers at 19 after discovering she was pregnant with their son. Unfortunately, the couple divorced three years later. In order to support herself, Suzanne began modeling for “The Anniversary Game,” which served as a stepping stone in her career. It was during this time that she met Alan Hamel, whom she would marry in 1977.
Although Somers’ acting career began in the late 1960s with her debut in the Steve McQueen film “Bullitt,” her breakthrough moment arrived when she was cast as the blonde driving the white Thunderbird in George Lucas’s 1973 film “American Graffiti.” Despite only having to mouth the words “I love you” to Richard Dreyfuss’s character, this experience had a profound impact on Somers and altered the course of her life forever.
She later embarked on a one-woman Broadway show titled “The Blonde in the Thunderbird,” which centered around her life journey. The show garnered mixed reviews.
In the 1970s, Somers made numerous television appearances in popular shows like “The Rockford Files,” “Magnum Force,” and “The Six Million Dollar Man.” However, her most iconic role came in the form of “Three’s Company,” which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984, although her involvement concluded in 1981.
On “Three’s Company,” she portrayed the bubbly and naive blonde alongside John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt in the beloved sitcom about roommates. After four seasons, Somers requested a substantial raise from $30,000 to $150,000 per episode, equivalent to Ritter’s salary. Encouraged by her husband, Alan Hamel, a former television producer, she aimed to assert her value.
However, the show’s response dismissed her request, stating, “John Ritter is the star.” Consequently, Somers was phased out and ultimately fired. Her character was replaced by two different roommates for the remaining years of the show. This incident also caused a strain in her relationship with her co-stars, leading to several years of silence. However, Somers managed to reconcile with John Ritter before his passing and later made amends with Joyce DeWitt on her own online talk show.
Despite the setback, Somers embraced the opportunity for personal growth, exploring new avenues in her career. She ventured into Las Vegas performances, hosting a talk show, and establishing herself as a successful entrepreneur. In the 1990s, she gained prominence as the face of the “ThighMaster.”
During the 1990s, she also returned to network television, notably starring in “Step by Step,” which was part of ABC’s TGIF lineup. The network even produced a biopic about her life, entitled “Keeping Secrets,” in which Somers portrayed herself.
Alongside her acting endeavors, Somers displayed her talent as a prolific author. She published books covering diverse topics such as aging, menopause, beauty, wellness, sex, and cancer.
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