Suzanne Somers lit up America’s TV screens when she burst on the scene as Christmas Noelle “Chrissy” Snow in the ribald sitcom “Three’s Company.”
The actress, along with co-stars John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt, forged a comedy trinity that powered “Three’s Company” for eight highly-rated seasons on ABC from 1977-1984.
Somers died on Oct. 15 at the age of 76, following a battle with breast cancer for more than 23 years.
The series transformed blonde, bubbly Somers into a national phenomenon in the role of Chrissy who, with her roommate Janet Wood (DeWitt) and Jack Tripper (Ritter), sharing an apartment in Santa Monica, Calif. Jack pretended to be gay to outfox their landlord, Mr. Roper (Norman Fell), who didn’t want a man living with two single women. His wife, Helen, was played by Audra Lindley.
Ritter died on Sept. 11, 2003, at age 54 after suffering an aortic dissection. DeWitt, for her part, weighed in on Somers’ death on Monday.
“My heart goes out to Suzanne’s family,” DeWitt, 74, told The Post in a statement. “They are a very close family — deeply connected and caring one to the other. I can only imagine how difficult this time is for all of them.
She concluded: “I’m sure Suzanne was greeted by Angels into the loving wisdom waiting for all of us on the other side, and I hope that will assist her family’s hearts in healing as they travel through this difficult time.”
“Three’s Company” allowed for any number of farcical situations and was based on the British hit “Man About the House,” which aired on ITV in the UK (1973-76). Somers left the series after its fifth season.
To commemorate Somers and the impact she had on primetime, here are 5 memorable episodes from “Three’s Company.”
Days of Beer and Weeds (Season 2)
While cleaning the yard behind their apartment, Jack, Chrissy and Janet find a plant in their garden they give to Mr. Roper’s wife, Helen, to enter into a flower show. But their pal Larry (Richard Kline) tells them that he thinks it’s marijuana — and they scramble to save Mrs. Roper from being busted for possession.
Chrissy’s New Boss (Season 3)
Chrissy is depressed that both Jack and Janet are making strides in their jobs, so they tell her to be more confident in the workplace (she’s a secretary). Chrissy follows their advice, wears a low-cut dress to work, and is panicking both Jack and Janet … who don’t realize Chrissy’s boss, JC, is a woman who is impressed by her worth ethic and determination.
The Love Diary (Season 3)
Chrissy takes a freelance job typing up a manuscript for a client named “Wanda X.” Turns out it’s an X-rated fictional diary and is discovered by Mr. Roper, who thinks it’s Chrissy’s diary — and that she’s lusting after him. He wants to evict Chrissy, Jack and Janet, but they discover his mistake and short-circuit the catastrophe.
Mighty Mouth (Season 4)
Jack isn’t interested in joining Janet and Chrissy’s gym until he meets their trainer, Shirley, and visits the gym in an attempt to seduce her — where he encounters Shirley’s protective brother, Harvey. He puts Jack through a rigorous exercise program, and Janet and Chrissy invite Harvey to their place when he learns that Jack is going over to Shirley’s apartment. Chaos ensues.
Chrissy’s Hospitality (Season 4)
Chrissy injures herself trying to put up a shower curtain and lands an overnight visit in the hospital. Jack and Janet are worried about her but she’s fine, and starts joking with her doctor — who laughs so hard he starts crying. As he leaves her room, Jack and Janet assume the worst, that Chrissy is dying, and they try to console her.