Introduction
It’s been over three decades since two of the brightest stars of the iconic TV show Three’s Company stopped speaking to each other. What could possibly drive two talented actors to break ties for such a long period? If you’ve ever watched Three’s Company, you know how memorable the cast was. But behind the laughter and sitcom hijinks, there was a simmering tension that eventually led to a decades-long silence.
In this article, we’re diving deep into the untold story of the feud between Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt. These two actresses, who shared the screen on one of America’s favorite sitcoms, weren’t always the best of friends off-screen. So, let’s unravel the mystery of why Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt didn’t speak for 30 years.
H1: The Legendary Three’s Company and Its Famous Cast
Before we get into the specifics of the 30-year-long silence, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Three’s Company was a groundbreaking sitcom that aired from 1977 to 1984. It featured the perfect blend of comedy, misunderstandings, and colorful characters. The show quickly became a cultural phenomenon, but it was the chemistry between its lead stars that made it unforgettable.
The main trio consisted of:
- John Ritter as Jack Tripper
- Suzanne Somers as Chrissy Snow
- Joyce DeWitt as Janet Wood
Together, they made audiences laugh, but there was more happening behind the scenes than fans could have ever imagined.
H2: The Chemistry on Screen – What Made Three’s Company So Successful?
The magic of Three’s Company wasn’t just in its plot or slapstick humor. It was in the chemistry between the stars. Suzanne Somers (Chrissy Snow) and Joyce DeWitt (Janet Wood) portrayed two roommates who, along with their male roommate Jack Tripper, navigated hilarious situations. On screen, they were best friends who helped each other through every crazy adventure. Off-screen, however, the dynamics were more complicated.
H3: The Rise of Suzanne Somers – From TV Star to Diva?
Suzanne Somers’ rise to fame on Three’s Company was meteoric. Chrissy Snow became an instantly recognizable character, and Somers became a household name. But, like many successful stars, her fame brought some changes. Somers reportedly became very focused on her own career and, in some ways, started to see herself as the show’s primary draw.
This shift in her attitude didn’t sit well with her co-stars, especially Joyce DeWitt.
H4: The Tension Between Somers and DeWitt
As Suzanne Somers’ star continued to rise, she began pushing for more recognition. She reportedly asked for a pay raise and more screen time, hoping to capitalize on her newfound fame. This wasn’t taken well by her co-stars, especially Joyce DeWitt. DeWitt, who was a key part of the show’s success, felt that Somers was undermining the team spirit that made Three’s Company such a hit.
H2: The Fallout – How the Feud Started
The situation escalated when Suzanne Somers was written out of Three’s Company in 1981. After asking for a massive salary increase that would’ve made her the highest-paid TV actress at the time, Somers was fired from the show. The decision sent shockwaves through the cast, but it was Somers’ exit that set the stage for the bitter feud between her and DeWitt.
H3: A Heartbreaking Goodbye – Was It Just Business?
When Suzanne Somers left the show, the final straw for her relationship with Joyce DeWitt was pulled. According to many accounts, the two didn’t part ways on good terms. There were reports that Somers felt betrayed by her co-stars, and DeWitt felt that Somers had turned her back on the group dynamic they once shared.
This marked the beginning of a 30-year period where the two stars didn’t speak a word to each other.
H2: The 30-Year Silence – What Happened During Those Decades?
For three long decades, Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt didn’t exchange a single word. The public wasn’t sure what happened behind closed doors, but rumors swirled for years. Some believed that Somers’ departure from the show was the primary cause of the rift, while others speculated that personal differences and jealousy played a role.
H3: Somers’ Career After Three’s Company – Success and Controversy
After leaving Three’s Company, Suzanne Somers went on to enjoy a successful career. She starred in Step by Step, wrote books, and even became a wellness advocate. However, her departure from Three’s Company was not without its controversies. Some fans and former colleagues felt she had left the show prematurely, while others believed she had been unfairly treated by the producers.
H3: DeWitt’s Struggles – Keeping a Low Profile
On the other hand, Joyce DeWitt kept a relatively low profile after the end of Three’s Company. Though she didn’t become as famous as Somers, DeWitt remained a respected figure in Hollywood. She made sporadic TV appearances but largely stayed out of the media spotlight, focusing on her personal life and stage acting.
Throughout these years, the tension between her and Somers remained a quiet undercurrent, and both actresses avoided discussing each other publicly.
H2: The Unexpected Reunion – Breaking the Silence
In 2011, after decades of silence, Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt finally reunited. The occasion was a taping for The E! True Hollywood Story, and the two women finally put their differences aside. The reunion was emotional for both actresses, who had spent years harboring unresolved feelings.
H3: What Was Said During the Reunion?
During the reunion, both Somers and DeWitt admitted that they had been hurt by the events of the past. Somers explained that she had felt disrespected by the way her exit from the show was handled, while DeWitt shared how disappointed she had been in Somers’ actions. However, after a heartfelt conversation, the two women realized that holding onto resentment had only hurt them further.
H4: Forgiveness and Healing – Is It Ever Too Late?
The reunion between Somers and DeWitt was a powerful moment of forgiveness and healing. They both acknowledged the mistakes of the past but emphasized that life was too short to hold onto grudges. It was a bittersweet, yet heartwarming moment for fans of Three’s Company who had longed to see their favorite co-stars reconcile.
H2: The Legacy of Three’s Company – A Tale of Friendship, Fame, and Feuds
The saga of Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt is a reminder of the complexities of fame and relationships. While Three’s Company may have been a fun-filled sitcom, the reality of its stars’ lives was far more complicated. Their 30-year silence is a testament to the emotional turmoil that can arise from misunderstandings and personal differences.
H3: What Does the Feud Teach Us About Hollywood?
In many ways, the feud between these two iconic actresses offers a lesson in the pressures of Hollywood. The competition, egos, and high expectations can easily strain even the closest of friendships. Yet, their eventual reconciliation also teaches us that forgiveness is possible, even after years of silence.
Conclusion
The 30-year silence between Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt is one of the most fascinating stories in TV history. It’s a tale of rivalry, misunderstandings, and ultimately, reconciliation. Fans of Three’s Company can now take comfort in knowing that, despite their past differences, these two iconic stars were able to reconnect after all these years. Their story serves as a reminder of the importance of forgiveness, the complexity of human relationships, and how sometimes, time truly heals all wounds.
FAQs
1. What caused the 30-year feud between Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt? The feud started after Suzanne Somers asked for a pay raise and more screen time, which led to her being written out of Three’s Company. The tension grew over the years, with both actresses harboring hurt feelings about the situation.
2. How did Suzanne Somers’ departure from Three’s Company affect her relationship with Joyce DeWitt? Suzanne Somers’ departure left DeWitt feeling betrayed, and the two actresses stopped speaking to each other for 30 years after the fallout.
3. Did Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt ever reconcile? Yes, in 2011, Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt reunited during a taping of The E! True Hollywood Story, where they both expressed their hurt and eventually forgave each other.
