Suzanne Somers Passes Away at The Age of 76
By Extra-Ordinary Women
Suzanne Somers, the beloved Emmy-nominated actress renowned for her roles in iconic television series such as “Three’s Company” and “Step by Step,” passed away peacefully on Sunday at the age of 76. Her longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay, confirmed that Somers succumbed to her battle with breast cancer at her Palm Springs residence.
In a heartfelt statement, it was revealed that Suzanne had displayed incredible resilience in her fight against an aggressive form of breast cancer, spanning over two decades. During her final moments, she was surrounded by her devoted husband, Alan, her son, Bruce, and close family members. Originally, the family had gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th, but instead, they came together to commemorate her remarkable life and express their gratitude to her countless fans and followers who held her in deep affection.
Suzanne Somers was not only celebrated for her work in series like “Three’s Company” and “Step by Step” but also for her contributions to shows such as “She’s the Sheriff” and “Serial Mom.”
Born as Suzanne Marie Mahoney on October 16, 1946, in San Bruno, California, she was the third child in a loving Irish-American Catholic family of four. Her father, Frank, worked as a laborer, while her mother, Marion, served as a medical secretary. Suzanne’s early life was marked by her father’s struggle with alcoholism, which led to him often using hurtful language towards her.
Suzanne’s journey into acting began in the late 1960s and early ’70s, where she started with uncredited roles in movies like “Bullitt,” “Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting,” and “Fools.” Her first credited role was as the “blonde in T-bird” in the 1973 film “American Graffiti.”
Her breakthrough came when she landed roles on “Starsky and Hutch,” portraying different characters. After a string of one-off appearances on TV shows such as “Lotsa Luck!,” “The Rockford Files,” and “One Day at a Time,” she achieved fame as Chrissy Snow in “Three’s Company,” earning herself a Golden Globe nomination.
“Three’s Company,” which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984, followed the lives of three roommates, two single women (Somers and Joyce DeWitt) and a man (John Ritter). To appease their landlord, the women pretended that Ritter’s character, Jack Tripper, was gay, leading to comedic situations. In 1980, Suzanne Somers requested a raise from $30,000 per episode to $150,000 per episode, equivalent to John Ritter’s salary and on par with male sitcom stars of the time. However, ABC only offered a $5,000 increase, leading to Somers missing two episodes before being fired.
Her husband and manager, Alan Hamel, revealed that the network’s decision was influenced by their desire to prevent similar salary negotiations following the successful demands made by the cast of “Laverne & Shirley” earlier that year. Despite this setback, Somers continued her successful career, starring as Carol Foster Lambert in “Step by Step” in 1991. The show revolved around a widowed mom and divorced dad who fell in love, married, and merged their two families, dealing with the ensuing challenges.
In 2013, her co-star Patrick Duffy expressed interest in a “Step by Step” reunion, highlighting the strong bond among the cast members.
Suzanne Somers’ final onscreen acting role was in the 2001 film “Say It Isn’t So,” where she portrayed Chris Klein’s mother. In 2005, she ventured onto Broadway with a one-woman show titled “The Blonde in the Thunderbird,” providing insights into her life and career. Unfortunately, the show ran for only a week due to unfavorable reviews and ticket sales.
Somers was also widely recognized for her 1990s infomercials promoting the ThighMaster exercise equipment, a product designed for toning thighs. In March 2022, she spoke about the ThighMaster’s remarkable success on the Hollywood Row podcast, disclosing that 15 million units had been sold at $19.95 each, resulting in her earnings of nearly $300 million from sales alone.
In 2012, she launched her online talk show, “Suzanne Somers Breaking Through,” where she reunited with her “Three’s Company” co-star, Joyce DeWitt, after 31 years of no contact. Later that year, she hosted “The Suzanne Show” on Lifetime Network, which earned her an Emmy nomination for Best Host. The show covered various topics related to health and fitness while welcoming a wide range of guests.
Suzanne Somers will be remembered not only for her captivating performances but also for her enduring spirit in the face of adversity, her entrepreneurial ventures, and her dedication to promoting health and wellness. She leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment and beyond.