Actress Suzanne Somers, indelibly known for her role on the classic sitcom “Three’s Company,” passed away on Sunday, October 15th at the age of 76 due to complications from breast cancer, her representative said in statement to Fox News Digital.
“She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years,” the statement said. The actress died “peacefully at home in the early morning hours,” surrounded by her husband Alan, son Bruce, and other immediate family members, just one day shy of her 77th birthday celebration.
The family, who had planned to celebrate her upcoming 77th birthday, will “instead… celebrate her extraordinary life,” the statement conveyed. It also thanked Somers’ vast and committed fanbase, stating they “want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.” The representative announced that “a private family burial will take place this week, with a memorial to follow next month.”
Born in Northern California, Somers rose to fame with her vivacious role as Chrissy Snow on “Three’s Company” in 1977, playing alongside John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt.
Somers was fired from “Three’s Company” in 1981 after she had asked producers for a raise to match Ritter’s salary the year prior.
“I did not plan to be this person. I really liked being Chrissy Snow on TV. I didn’t plan to be the unofficial first feminist when I demanded equal pay,” she told Entrepreneur in 2020.
“Men were all making 10 to 15 times more than me, including John Ritter, and the network decided to make an example of me so that no other woman would have the audacity to ask for parity,” Somers said.
“I lost that great job and I was so devastated at the time, but life is about veiled gifts. I was suddenly kicked out on the streets, but I kept reinventing myself, and my husband and I decided we wouldn’t work for anyone ever again,” she continued.
Her talent wasn’t confined to the small screen; she leveraged her fame and became the spokesperson, and eventually the outright owner, of the ThighMaster—an at-home exercise device aimed at toning legs. The product generated a staggering $300 million since its launch. Somers once mentioned that she stopped counting ThighMaster sales “after 10 million.”
Somers later landed the staring role as Sheriff Hildy Granger in the comedic TV series “She’s the Sheriff” from 1987 to 1989.
In 1991, the actress took on the role of Carol Foster Lambert in the family-friendly ABC sitcom “Step by Step.” Somers was on the show until 1998.
Additionally she hosted her own morning talk show, “The Suzanne Show,” on Lifetime, covering an array of topics predominantly related to health and wellness.
The actress also found success as an entrepreneur and author. In 1992, she became one of the Home Shopping Network’s top-selling brands. With her name emblazoned on an array of products from jewelry to protein formula, Somers authored a total of 27 books, of which 14 were New York Times bestsellers. “I have over a thousand products,” she told Fox News Digital last year, painting a vivid portrait of her tireless work ethic.
A two-time cancer survivor, Somers was first diagnosed with skin cancer in her 30s and later with breast cancer in her 50s. This July, she revealed that her breast cancer had returned.
“It’s a recurrence of my breast cancer,” she disclosed, adding, “Like any cancer patient, when you get that dreaded, ‘It’s back,’ you get a pit in your stomach. Then I put on my battle gear and go to war. This is familiar battleground for me, and I’m very tough.”
Always striving for a balanced approach, Somers said, “I have been living with cancer for decades now, using the best of alternative and conventional medicine to keep it at bay. Every time that little f—– pops up, I continue to bat it back.”
Her resilience was palpable, underlined by her statement: “As one of millions of cancer patients, we do our best not to let this insidious disease control us. I find bliss in each day.”
Throughout her multi-decade battle with cancer, her second husband, television host Alan Hamel, remained steadfastly by her side. The couple was married in the same year she gained national fame, 1977.
“Alan has been by my side every step of the way. I can’t even explain how much he has done for me. If it’s even possible, we are even closer than ever,” Somers shared.
She leaves behind not only an extensive portfolio of work but also a legacy of resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
“It’s really hard for me to eat food that’s not organic because I had cancer,” she once noted, adding that she used only toxic-free products in her daily routine.
Somers is survived by her husband Alan Hamel, son Bruce, and three granddaughters: Camelia, Violet, and Daisy.
Her life and career epitomized a kind of triumph over adversity that resonated with millions, ensuring her legacy will continue to inspire long after her passing.