Patrick Duffy, Joyce DeWitt, Fran Drescher, Barry Manilow, Leeza Gibbons and More Remember Suzanne Somers: “The Light for So Many”
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Hollywood is mourning the death of Suzanne Somers, who became a household name with her role in Three’s Company and later went on to star in Step by Step and She’s the Sheriff.
Somers died Sunday at age 76 at her home in Palm Springs after a battle with cancer, her longtime publicist R. Couri Hay said in a statement.
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“She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years. Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family,” the statement read. “Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on Oct. 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”
Somers starred in Three’s Company opposite John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt for four seasons. At the start of the fifth season, she asked for a raise from $30,000 an episode to $150,000 an episode, equal to what Ritter was making. ABC offered only a $5,000 bump, and Somers missed two episode tapings before being fired by the network.
DeWitt remembered Somers in a statement to People.
“My heart goes out to Suzanne’s family,” she said in part. “They are a very close family — deeply connected and caring one to the other. I can only imagine how difficult this time is for all of them. I’m sure Suzanne was greeted by angels into the loving wisdom waiting for all of us on the other side, and I hope that will assist her family’s hearts in healing as they travel through this difficult time.”
She went on to star in Step by Step, She’s the Sheriff and Serial Mom, among others.
Somers’ Step by Step co-star Patrick Duffy remembered his late TV wife in a statement to People, saying he was “stunned” by the “unbelievable” news.
“She beautifully passed through my life on this leg of her endless journey. My task now is to remain on the roadside as she continues on,” he said in part, sharing he’ll miss “the phone calls, the emails, the visits and the meals and laughter.”
He added, “But the dialogue of deep and thoughtful, and silly and frivolous continues. My conversations with her now will be held solely through my daily Buddhist practice.”
In 2012, Lifetime launched talk show The Suzanne Show, for which Somers received an Emmy nom for best host.
“Sad so sad,” Goldie Hawn commented on Instagram.
“I am shocked and saddened,” Kathy Griffin wrote in a Threads post. “Suzanne was a real pal and ‘connector’. She loved connecting people with one another. Also a real pioneer regarding equal pay for actresses in situation comedies where the man got substantially more salary than the woman. 💔”
Below, see what some of her other famous fans and friends are saying about her life and legacy as the tributes pour in on social media.
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….#ThreesCompany #suzannesomers#ChrissySnow pic.twitter.com/OeGhx7zIjs
— TC (@Threes_Company) October 15, 2023
The world feels a little less bright without her. My friend @SuzanneSomers was the light for so many; a source of love, healing and growth. Always something new to do or learn. I think we live forever in the lives we touched and so, dear Suzanne, your spirit is eternal. pic.twitter.com/mgYraUpHGX
— Leeza Gibbons (@LeezaGibbons) October 15, 2023
Heaven has another funny angel to keep them entertained! Thanks for being a pioneer & all the laughs #SuzanneSomers Passing away from aggressive breast cancer,let's all remember to check ourselves regularly and schedule your mammogram if you're over 35! remind you lady tribe too pic.twitter.com/AtaEw5VO6K
— Melissa Joan Hart (@MelissaJoanHart) October 16, 2023
Devastated to hear about the passing of Suzanne Somers. A true icon and overall amazing human being. You will be greatly missed, my friend. pic.twitter.com/Hls9eMQObt
— Adam Carolla (@adamcarolla) October 15, 2023
I’m devastated to hear of the passing of my dear friend Suzanne Somers: a true superstar who was brilliant, kind, generous, funny & lovely in every way.
She also loved her country with her whole heart.
She was truly beautiful inside & out.
Rest In Peace, my sweet friend 💔 pic.twitter.com/WLMAoowxXv— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) October 15, 2023
I’m so sad about Suzanne Somers passing. 💔
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 16, 2023
RIP Suzanne Somers, a ebullient, creative life force, a terrific comedic actor, entrepreneur, and a wonderful fixture in all of our tv lives for a generation. Condolences to Alan and family.
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) October 16, 2023
Suzanne Somers, ‘Three’s Company’ and ‘Step by Step’ Star, Dies at 76 https://t.co/qiTHyk6kVE via @variety So saddened to hear this. She was a friend & supportive when I was diagnosed with black mold. When we ran into each other, she would lean over & whisper, "We're survivors!"
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) October 15, 2023
Oh no! So sad to see this. She loved to make people laugh. I met her once and she just beamed kindness and beauty and love. R.I.P. Suzanne Somers. https://t.co/DRvBFvIAkg
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) October 15, 2023
Condolences to the families of of Mark Goddard and Suzanne Somers. 😔
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) October 16, 2023
There will never be another @SuzanneSomers I grew up watching her funny. Forever missed 💔
— Nia Long (@NiaLong) October 16, 2023
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….#ThreesCompany #suzannesomers#ChrissySnow pic.twitter.com/OeGhx7zIjs
— TC (@Threes_Company) October 15, 2023
How sad to hear that actress and Uber businesswoman, Suzanne Somers, has died. She was going to turn 77 tomorrow. She had fought breast cancer for more than 2 decades. Will never forget her “Chrissy” in the hit show Three’s Company. pic.twitter.com/3enR0EaXTu
— Deborah Roberts (@DebRobertsABC) October 15, 2023
Hoda and Jenna are remembering the life of actress and fitness entrepreneur Suzanne Somers on what would’ve been her 77th birthday. pic.twitter.com/gQqtofkKcB
— TODAY with Hoda & Jenna (@HodaAndJenna) October 16, 2023
#RIP actress Suzanne Somers who passed away today at age 76. A strong supporter of the U.S. military, she recorded "The Suzanne Somers Special" for CBS aboard USS Ranger (CV-61) in 1981. pic.twitter.com/yLMqVYDVZP
— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) October 15, 2023
Shoot. So very sorry. Loved her https://t.co/vey9blquJJ #SuzanneSomers 😢🙏 pic.twitter.com/QL7c43glVc
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) October 15, 2023
Rest in peace Suzanne Somers.❤️✨🙏 #SuzanneSomers #crissy Three's Company https://t.co/uxKBZsbMDL
— Lydia Cornell (@LydiaCornell) October 15, 2023
Horrible news. Loved by so many, loved the country & so honest about her conservative politics, a great friend to so many. RIP. https://t.co/6JgdU6KqlR
— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) October 15, 2023
Scout's grandpa #ArtieButler was Suzanne's musical director for years in Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City & Las Vegas. I remember being a guest on her talk show while pregnant w/ Scout, she was very nurturing & gave me some great tips on motherhood. R.I.P #SuzanneSomers #warrior #icon pic.twitter.com/xlrRprVPhP
— Tai Babilonia 🦋 (@taiskates) October 15, 2023
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