Suzanne Somers, a multifaceted talent renowned for her portrayal of Chrissy on the sitcom “Three’s Company,” has passed away. She was more than just an actress; she was an accomplished author, singer, and businesswoman. Somers’ death was confirmed by her long-time publicist, R. Couri Hay, in a statement, revealing that she peacefully passed away at her home one day prior to her 77th birthday. Her family had originally intended to gather for a 77th birthday celebration, but instead, they will commemorate her extraordinary life and extend their gratitude to her countless fans and followers.
Born on October 16, 1946, Somers began her acting career in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Her breakthrough came in 1977 when she assumed the role of Chrissy Snow on ABC’s “Three’s Company.” Her performance garnered her a People’s Choice Award in 1978 for “Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Program.” A year later, she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Notably, Somers became an international sex symbol during this time.
However, Somers faced a contract dispute with ABC in 1980 when she requested a raise to match her co-star John Ritter’s salary, escalating her pay from $30,000 to $150,000. This led to a publicized conflict, causing her to miss several episodes before ABC ultimately terminated her contract. Despite this setback, she navigated her career successfully and shared her experiences in two autobiographies and numerous books on health, beauty, and her battle with breast cancer. After surviving an aggressive form of breast cancer for more than 23 years, she launched Suzanne Organics, her line of skincare and cosmetics. In 2015, she appeared on the 20th season of “Dancing With the Stars.” Suzanne Somers is survived by her husband, Alan Hamel, her son Bruce from a previous marriage, and her immediate family.