“We all experience moments when our lives can unravel, or we can harness that energy to turn it into something positive, using the negativity to our advantage,” she stated. Years later, her father sought her forgiveness, and she acknowledged that her painful experiences ultimately contributed to her resilience.
Her life took a significant turn when she enrolled at Lone Mountain College, now known as the University of San Francisco. However, she was compelled to leave school upon discovering her pregnancy.
Suzanne married the father of her child, and they welcomed a son, Bruce Jr. At one point, they faced a harrowing experience when Bruce Jr. was nearly killed in a car accident. Following the incident, he attended counseling to cope with the trauma, during which the therapist recognized that Suzanne also needed support.
“He’s doing well. You should remain here,” I stated, to which Somers remembered the therapist responding after a year of counseling for her son. “That’s when she remarked, ‘You’re a walking apology. I’ve never encountered anyone with such low self-esteem.’”
“I had an incredibly tumultuous and violent father,” she reflected. “I felt compelled to create this musical because it’s remarkable to think how I started from such a confined space and ended up with the life I have now.”
Suzanne’s pivotal moment arrived when she secured a minor role in George Lucas’ film American Graffiti. “This was a transformative experience. Just five seconds on screen that will be etched in memory,” she noted, adding that Lucas told her, “Everyone will always remember the enigmatic blonde in the Thunderbird.”
Following her appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, where she began sharing poetry with a national audience monthly, she was offered the role in Three’s Company.
The character of Chrissy Snow played a significant role in establishing Suzanne’s reputation.
At one point, after achieving celebrity status, Suzanne created a sensation by requesting a 500% salary increase. Instead of her weekly pay of $30,000, she sought $150,000, which was the same amount her male co-star John Ritter was earning at that time. Rather than accommodating her request, Suzanne Somers was dismissed from the show.
“I’ve portrayed what I believe to be one of the most iconic dumb blonde characters, yet I never received any recognition,” she expressed to The New York Times that same year. “I performed so convincingly that people assumed I truly was a dumb blonde.”
Her husband noted that the production team terminated her contract to send a message to other women in the industry.
“When I was let go, I thought, ‘I should never have made that request. Why did I even ask? Why did I believe I could earn what men earn? Who did I think I was?’” she recounted in 2015.
“Instead of considering, ‘Hey, I have the highest ratings of any woman on television. I’m on the top show. I’m contributing significantly as well,’ I found myself questioning my worth.”
This situation posed significant challenges for Suzanne, as she struggled to secure a role. “Here I was on the number one show, and I couldn’t even get an interview because I was labeled as trouble,” she recounted to CNBC.
In addition to her dismissal, Suzanne was required to complete the fifth season of Three’s Company but was prohibited from communicating with anyone on set.
Ultimately, Somers’ character, Chrissy, was replaced first by her cousin Cindy Snow, portrayed by Jenilee Harrison, and subsequently by nurse Terri Alden, played by Priscilla Barnes, from 1981 until the series concluded in 1984.
“They depicted me as someone trying to sabotage the show,” Suzanne remarked in 2020. “As a result, I never spoke to anyone from that show again. Never again.”
Joyce reflected on their relationship post-show, stating, “We had very different career approaches and needs. I didn’t have a child to support on my own, nor did I possess a business mindset, so I struggled to understand someone who did.”
After three decades apart, the two co-stars reunited on Suzanne’s talk show, Breaking Through, where they discussed their divergent life paths. “I have consistently maintained that the only reason Three’s Company is memorable is that it provided us all with an opportunity to laugh together and celebrate joy. It’s a significant gift,” Joyce expressed during the show.
“You faced ruthless challenges, and you prevailed,” Joyce noted. “What you have accomplished since is immeasurable.”
“In a group of serious actors, I probably annoyed all of you,” Suzanne concluded.
Following Suzanne’s passing, Joyce DeWitt shared her sorrow and honored her friend.
“My heart goes out to Suzanne’s family,” she told People. “They are a very close-knit family, deeply connected and caring for one another. I can only imagine how challenging this time is for all of them.”
She expressed, “I have no doubt that Suzanne was welcomed by Angels into the compassionate wisdom that awaits us all beyond this life. I hope this brings comfort to her family as they navigate through this challenging period.”
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