Suzanne Somers Dies At Age 76 From Battle With Cancer

‘Three’s Company’ star passed peacefully in her Palm Springs home on Sunday, surrounded by family and friends. Somers passed just short of her 77th birthday.

Suzanne Somers. Photo courtesy of Suzanne Somers' Instagram.

Preview

Stars and friends take to social media to remember the actress
Suzanne Somer’s career in popular TV sitcoms such as ‘Three’s Company’
The star’s long battle with cancer

Known for her roles on ‘Three’s Company’ and ‘Step by Step’, Suzanne Somers lost her battle with breast cancer just short of her 77th birthday. Friends of the TV actress took to social media to mourn and remember the actress.

'Three’s Company's Official X page writes:

“We are extremely saddened... Of the loss of Suzanne. She passed this morning... Day before her birthday..... We send condolences to her family, friends & rest of her fans. May she rest in peace....”

Fellow actress and SAG president Fran Drescher posted a photo of the pair together on Instagram in remembrance of her friend:

“The heaviness of this past week’s horrors just got worse with the loss of friend Suzanne Sommers. She was a sweet & talented woman, a wife and mother. Survivor and thriver for more than 2 decades. But so sad to say she passed away today. Life is very hard, wherever we can bring joy, love, empathy and kindness as we move thru each day, do it! RIP dear Suzanne, you will long be remembered.

Born in San Bruno, California, in 1946, Suzanne Somers rose to TV stardom in popular shows such as ‘Three’s Company’ and ‘Step by Step’. She had been battling breast cancer for over 23 years.

“Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th. She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years,” Somer’s longtime publicist R. Couri Hay made the statement on behalf of her family.

“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family. Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly."

A Look Back At Suzanne Somers’ Career

Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt in 'Three's Company.'

Somer’s got her start in a small role in ‘American Graffiti’, as a beautiful blonde in a white Thunderbird, catching the attention of Curt Henderson (Richard Dreyfuss). She didn’t have a line in the movie. Rather, she mouthed the words “I love you” to Dreyfuss’ character, but that was the spark that kickstarted her career.

Later, Somers played Chrissy Snow in ‘Three’s Company’ alongside John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt. She was on the show from 1977 to 1981, when the highly publicized salary dispute caused her to be written out of the show in its fifth season. Somers reportedly asked for a pay increase from $30,000 per episode to $150,000 per episode, the same as her co-star John Ritter.

The actress went on to play Carol Foster Lambert in the family sitcom ‘Step by Step’ alongside Patrick Duffy. The show ran for seven seasons, from 1991 to 1997. Aside from acting, Somers is also known as the spokesperson for the leg-toning device Thighmaster and the author of several books based on nutrition and natural health.

Her Battle With Cancer

Suzanne Somers in 'No Laughing Matter.' Photo: Universal Pictures.

Somers was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. 23 years later, the cancer had returned. Somers wrote in an Instagram post:

“As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago, and every now and then it pops up again, and I continue to bat it down. I have used the best alternative and conventional treatments to combat it. This is not new territory for me. I know how to put on my battle gear and I’m a fighter.”
The actress underwent surgery and radiation therapy, but opted out of chemotherapy. Instead, she chose to undergo alternative treatments.

Suzanne Somers is survived by her husband Alan Hamel, and her son Bruce.