Hollywood Icon Suzanne Somers Passes Away at 76 After Prolonged Battle with Cancer

Suzanne Somers, best known for her role as Chrissy Snow on the popular sitcom “Three’s Company,” has sadly passed away at the age of 76. She succumbed to breast cancer after a protracted 23-year battle with the disease. Her family confirmed the news of her passing in a statement provided by her long-time publicist, R. Couri Hay.

Somers had been fighting breast cancer since her initial diagnosis in 2000. Despite her long battle, she remained determined to fight it. In July, she shared on Instagram that her cancer had returned and expressed her resolve to battle it once again. Her decision to pursue alternative treatments and an organic lifestyle approach, in contrast to traditional chemotherapy, had been met with controversy and criticism, particularly from medical professionals and organizations such as the American Cancer Society.

Born in 1946 in San Bruno, California, Somers began her career in the late 1960s with a minor role in George Lucas’s film, “American Graffiti.” She had just one line in the movie but later referred to that moment as life-changing. She went on to have a notable presence in 1970s television and film, with appearances in “The Rockford Files,” “Magnum Force,” and “The Six Million Dollar Man.”

Her most prominent role came in “Three’s Company,” where she portrayed the ditzy blonde character alongside John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt. In 1980, she made headlines by demanding equal pay with Ritter, asking for a raise from $30,000 to $150,000 per episode. Her request led to her dismissal from the show and a subsequent divide with her co-stars.

Despite the challenges, Somers used her departure from “Three’s Company” as an opportunity to explore other career avenues. She ventured into Las Vegas performances, authored numerous books, hosted a talk show, and even became an entrepreneur. Her association with the “ThighMaster” exercise device, advertised on infomercials, became a significant part of her legacy and contributed to substantial financial success, along with her husband, Alan Hamel.

Suzanne Somers was known for authoring over 25 books, several of which became bestsellers. Her writings typically focused on health, well-being, and aging issues. She notably advocated for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, often describing it as the “juice of youth” for menopausal women, a position that received criticism from the medical community for its unproven and potentially unsafe aspects.

While her career was marked by moments of controversy and conflict, Suzanne Somers leaves behind a complex legacy, one that includes her contributions to entertainment, fitness, and health literature. Her impact on the worlds of entertainment and wellness, along with her unwavering advocacy for alternative approaches to health, will be remembered with admiration by some and by others with skepticism.