‘Totally Minnie’, ‘Three’s Company’ Star, Suzanne Somers, Dead at 76

In 1977, ABC released a brand-new show called Three’s Company, starring John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, and relative newcomer, actress Suzanne Somers. The show told the story of two unmarried women who were living with a man who had to pretend to be gay in order to stay there. The show was incredibly popular, and Somers quickly became loved for her girl-next-door looks.

Somers went on to have a long and successful career in Hollywood. She gained even more popularity by becoming the face of Thighmaster, which was aimed at helping “older” women get into the best shape of their lives. From 1991 through 1998, the actress starred in the hit show, Step By Step. Somers was one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood.

Sadly, on October 15, Somers passed away at the age of 76. She was just one day shy of her 77th birthday.

News of Somers’ passing was shared by her publicist.

“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. 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.”

Suzanne Somers was born Suzanne Marie Mahoney on October 16, 1946, in San Bruno, California. She caught the acting bug at a young age and began acting professionally when she was in her early 20s. She had a number of uncredited roles in his films, like Magnum Force, Bullit, and American Graffiti. In American Graffiti, she played the Blonde in the T-Bird who silently mouthed “I love you” to Richard Dreyfuss.

Somers’ big break came in 1977 when, after two other actresses failed to impress, she was cast as Chrissy Snow in the new ABC show, Three’s Company. The comedy was loved by fans. It told the story of Chrissy and her roommate Janet, who find themselves in need of a roommate. They find that roommate in the form of Jack Tripper, a culinary school student. However, their landlord does not allow unmarried men and women to live together in the same apartment.

So, Janet, Jack, and Chrissy decide to do the only thing that makes sense. They pretend that Jack is gay. Their landlord’s wife quickly figures out that he is not, but trusts him to protect the girls. Three’s Company ran for eight seasons, ending in 1984.

Over her decades-long career, Somers worked with Disney more than once. In 1978, at the height of her Three’s Company fame, Somers co-hosted NBC Salutes 25 Years of the Wonderful World of Disney. She stood alongside a number of other Hollywood stars to celebrate the House of Mouse. This included Up star Ed Asner, Ron Howard, Valerie Bertinelli, Ray Charles, and Bob Hope.

Then in 1988, she starred in the movie Totally Minnie. Totally Minnie told the story of a man who wanted to improve his social life, so he attends the Minnie Mouse Center for the Totally Unhip. After being welcomed by the Director — played by Somers — he works with multiple Disney stars, including Donald Duck and Goofy, as well as superstar Elton John.

Totally Minnie was the first time that Minnie Mouse had a starring role in a show or movie.

In the 1990s, Somers made herself a key part of the ABC family by starring in a number of made-for-television movies. She also starred in the popular ABC television show, Step by Step. As with many Disney and ABC shows, Somers and her Step By Step family took a memorable trip to The Most Magical Place on Earth, Walt Disney World Resort.

In 2000, Somers was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy and received radiation to help treat her cancer. For more than two decades, her cancer would return sporadically. Each time she fought it just as hard as she had the first time. Sadly, she succumbed to this latest bout, which she shared with fans had returned 10 weeks ago.

Somers leaves behind her son Bruce Somers Jr. and her husband, Alan Hamel, whom she married in 1977.