Exclusive: Joyce DeWitt's Heartfelt Tribute to Late ‘Three’s Company’ Costar Suzanne Somers Will Leave You in Tears
Joyce DeWitt expresses heartfelt sympathy to Suzanne Somers' family following the sad demise of her 'Three's Company' co-star due to breast cancer at 76
Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers. Getty Images (2)
Actress Joyce Dewitt expressed her condolences for the loss of her former Three's Company co-star Suzanne Somers. DeWitt, who is now 74 years old, shared her sympathies in a statement to We on Monday, October 16. She acknowledged the close bond within Somers' family and recognized the challenging time they are going through.
She continued, expressing her belief that Suzanne was welcomed by angels and embraced by the loving wisdom that awaits us all on the other side. She hoped that this thought would bring comfort to Suzanne's family as they navigate through this difficult time.
Somers, who battled breast cancer for over two decades, passed away at the age of 76 on Sunday, October 15. According to R. Couri Hay, Somers' longtime publicist, she had survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for 23 years. During her final moments, Suzanne was surrounded by her devoted husband Alan, her son Bruce, and other close family members.
On Sunday, Somers would have turned 77 years old. Despite the sadness of her passing, Hay mentioned that her family intends to honor her remarkable life. They would like to express their gratitude to her millions of devoted fans and followers. Hay's statement ended with the announcement that there will be a private family burial this week, followed by a memorial service next month.
Somers and DeWitt co-starred with the late John Ritter on the popular sitcom Three's Company, which aired for eight seasons from 1976 to 1984. The show centered around the comical adventures of Ritter's character, John Tripper, after he moves into an apartment with two single women, Janet Wood and Chrissy Snow, portrayed by DeWitt and Somers respectively.
Somers' departure from the show in 1980 came about when she insisted on receiving equal pay to Ritter, resulting in her termination. This incident not only marked the end of her friendship with DeWitt but also led to their reconciliation during a February 2012 episode of Somers' talk show, Suzanne Somers Breaking Through.
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"It's time to come together again," DeWitt emotionally expressed during the reunion. "You gave me the chance to prove that my actions align with my words over the past three decades. Whenever the topic of Three's Company arises, I consistently maintain that its significance lies in the collective laughter and shared joy it provided. It is truly a precious gift."
Regarding their estrangement, DeWitt acknowledged the stark contrast in their career approaches. While Somers prioritized financial stability for her son, Bruce Jr., as a single parent, DeWitt's circumstances were different. She explained, "Our needs were very distinct. I didn't have the responsibility of supporting a child on my own. I lacked business acumen, so I struggled to comprehend someone who did."
Regarding DeWitt's formal acting training, Somers expressed her admiration and appreciation. She mentioned that she had learned a great deal from watching her former co-star.
In a recent interview on the "Behind the Velvet Rope" podcast, Somers put forth the idea of reviving Three's Company. She proposed a storyline where the series would focus on the son of her and Ritter's characters. Furthermore, she suggested that the role of the child could be played by Ritter's own son, actor Jason Ritter. It is worth noting that John Ritter sadly passed away in 2003 at the age of 54 due to an aortic dissection.
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: The woman revealed during the podcast in April 2022 that she had proposed a concept to Jason's team. According to her idea, the show would feature both herself and Jason, with John making an appearance as a hologram to create the illusion of his return. However, Jason expressed his reluctance to engage in anything reminiscent of his late father's endeavors.
