Suzanne Somers had entered a major feud with her Three’s Company co-star Joyce DeWitt by season five of the show, leading them to not speak for three decades.
The Step By Step star died on Sunday, just one day before her 77th birthday after a long battle with breast cancer.
Suzanne was best known for her role as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company, a character she played on television for four years.
The show followed three single roommates who were platonically friends, Jack Tripper played by John Ritter, Janet Wood, played by Joyce DeWitt, and Chrissy played by Suzanne.
Despite their camaraderie on screen, some behind-the-scenes drama took place during season five that left Suzanne and Joyce at odds for decades.
Three’s Company kicked off in 1977, bringing a never-before-seen sort of comedy show to the American living room.
But in 1981, contract negotiations turned sour, leading the famous castmates to not speak for years.
In 1980, Suzanne asked producers to pay her the same amount as her co-star John Ritter – who played Jack – and other male TV stars at the time.
She requested $150,000 an episode, nearly five times her previous salary of $30,000 an episode, People once reported.
Instead of reaching an agreement, the blonde was fired from the show.
Suzanne’s husband Alan Hamel – a former television producer who represented her during the salary negotiation – explained to the outlet that their decision was meant to discourage other women from asking for higher wages.
Tension on set was inflamed as the actress needed to finish season five, but she was not allowed to interact with the rest of the cast.
Shockingly, the TV personality was required to be escorted to and from a side set by police where she would partake in strange phone conversation scenes.
Suzanne’s character Chrissy was later replaced by her on-screen cousin Cindy Snow, played by Jenilee Harrison, and later by nurse Terri Alden, portrayed by Priscilla Barnes.
Three’s Company continued for three years without Suzanne and finally ended in 1984.
After her time on the show, Somers went on to host a Las Vegas act, her own talk show, write several books and create a name for herself in the health and beauty space.
MENDING TIES
In February 2012, the California native finally reunited with Joyce DeWitt on her show Breaking Through.
The former friends shared an emotional moment where they embraced and discussed the different paths their lives took.
The co-stars also explained their differing perspectives about what happened on set.
Suzanne explained that for her, the decision was always about business.
She noted that when she landed the role as Chrissy she was a single mom who needed money.
The TV star married her second husband Hamel shortly after beginning the hit series.
Meanwhile, Joyce was always more craft-focused, studying theater in college and even receiving a fine arts master’s degree from UCLA.
“I always saw this as a business venture … in a group of serious actors. I probably pissed you all off,” Suzanne confessed.
But DeWitt actually thanked her former co-star for the chance to “walk her talk.”
“I have relentlessly said that it is my opinion that the only reason Three’s Company is worth remembering is that it created an opportunity for all of us to laugh together, to celebrate joy. It’s a profound gift,” she gushed.
Meanwhile, Joyce went on to have a major career in theatre after the end of Three’s Company.
There was another difference between the two that the comedian noted: she never wanted fame and avoided it throughout her career.
However, Suzanne was on the other spectrum, working in many other realms of spotlight entertainment.
While speaking on Somer’s talk show, Joyce commended her, saying: “You went up against ruthlessness, and it came down. But what you’ve gone on to do is immeasurable.”
MISSING JOHN
Also during their long-awaited reunion, Suzanne and her cast mate remembered their third cast mate John Ritter, who passed away in 2003.
She described him as “the greatest physical comic of our era.”
Despite their differences, the hatchet between Suzanne and Joyce has seemingly been buried.
In 2023, the theater star appeared in a country music video for the Davisson Brothers Band’s single “Home.”
In the clip, the camera paused briefly on a framed photo of Joyce with her two former castmates altogether as Chrissy, Jack, and Janet.
TRAGIC LOSS
On Sunday, Suzanne died at the age of 76 after a long and hard fight with breast cancer.
Her death was confirmed by Page Six on early Sunday morning, when the star’s longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay, told the outlet: “Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th.
“She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years. Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family.”
According to the Step by Step actress’ publicist, Suzanne’s family reunited at her home to celebrate her 77th birthday.
“Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly,” he told the outlet.
“A private family burial will take place this week, with a memorial to follow next month.”
