“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. She acknowledged that her difficult upbringing ultimately contributed to her resilience when her father contacted her for forgiveness years later. When she enrolled at Lone Mountain College, which is now the University of San Francisco, her life took a significant turn. However, she was compelled to leave school upon discovering her pregnancy.
Bruce Jr. was born to Suzanne and her husband, the father of her child. When Bruce Jr. was nearly killed in a car accident, they faced a harrowing experience. Following the incident, he attended counseling to cope with the trauma, during which the therapist recognized that Suzanne also needed support.
He’s doing fine. After a year of counseling for her son, Somers remembered the therapist’s response, which I stated, “You should remain here.” “At that point, she made the comment, “You’re a walking apology.” I’ve never met anyone with such low self-esteem before.'” She reflected, “I had an extremely turbulent and violent father.” “I felt compelled to create this musical because it’s amazing to think how I started from such a small space and ended up with the life I have now,” said the composer. When Suzanne got a small role in George Lucas’ American Graffiti, it was her turning point. “This was a life-changing 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.”
She was offered the role in Three’s Company following her appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, where she began sharing poetry with a national audience on a monthly basis. 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. She asked for $150,000, which was the same amount her male co-star John Ritter was earning at the time, as opposed to her weekly pay of $30,000 at the time. Suzanne Somers was kicked off the show rather than being granted her request. “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 said that the production team ended her contract to show other women in the industry that it was okay to leave. I thought, “I should never have made that request,” when I was let go. Why did I even ask? Why did I think I could earn as much as men? Who did I think I was?’” She talked about it in 2015. “As opposed to thinking, “Hey, I have the highest ratings of any woman on television,” I’m on top of the 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. She told CNBC, “Here I was on the top show, and I couldn’t even get an interview because I was labeled as trouble.” Suzanne had to finish the fifth season of Three’s Company before she could be fired, and she was not allowed to talk to anyone on set. From 1981 to the show’s end in 1984, Chrissy, played by Somers, was eventually replaced, first by her cousin Cindy Snow, played by Jenilee Harrison, and then by nurse Terri Alden, played by Priscilla Barnes. “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. Null and void. After the show, Joyce spoke about their relationship, saying, “We had very different career approaches and needs.” I struggled to comprehend someone who did because I did not have a child to support on my own or a business mindset. After three decades apart, the two co-stars reunited on Suzanne’s talk show, Breaking Through, where they discussed their divergent life paths. I’ve always maintained that the only reason Three’s Company is memorable is that it gave us all a chance to laugh and rejoice together. During the show, Joyce said, “It’s a significant gift.” Joyce remarked, “You faced ruthless challenges, and you prevailed.” “What you have accomplished since is immeasurable.”
“In a group of serious actors, I probably annoyed all of you,” Suzanne concluded.
Joyce DeWitt paid tribute to Suzanne and shared her grief after her death. She stated to People, “My heart goes out to Suzanne’s family.” They are a very close-knit family that cares deeply for one another and is deeply connected. I can only imagine how difficult this period is for them all. 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 will be of some comfort to her family as they deal with this difficult time.