Suzanne Somers died at the age of 76, following a decades-long battle with cancer, People magazine confirms. “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,†her publicist R. Couri Hay wrote in a statement to People shared on behalf of Somers’s family.
“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family,†the statement reads. “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.â€
Best known for her iconic sitcom roles, Somers’s breakout performance was as the comically ditzy Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company during the first five seasons of the show’s run. After her groundbreaking demand to be paid fairly for her role on the hit series, Somers was unceremoniously fired from the show. In 1991, she made her return to the sitcom stage with her role as matriarch Carol Foster-Lambert on ABC’s Step by Step. She later appeared on season 20 of Dancing with the Stars.
Joyce Dewitt, who played Janet Wood on Three’s Company, shared a statement with People following Somer’s death. “My heart goes out to Suzanne’s family,†DeWitt said. “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.†She added: “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.â€
Performer and Masked Singer panelist Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg remembered her mentor and friend in a column published by Variety. “We all aspire to leave behind a positive impact, and Suzanne Somers achieved that and much more,†McCarthy-Wahlberg wrote. “In Hollywood, she shattered stereotypes, proving that ditsy blondes were often played by some of the sharpest women in the industry. Suzanne’s brilliance was undeniable.â€
Dancing With the Stars paid tribute to the late actor twice on the October 17 show. Touching photos of Somers appeared at the beginning of the broadcast and just before the weekly elimination. “She made a big impression on everyone here both in the ballroom and behind the scenes,†host Alfonso Ribeiro said during the second tribute. “Our thoughts go out to her friends and family.â€
Somers competed on dance competition series with pro dancer Tony Dovolani in 2015. “It really hit me like a ton of bricks,†Dovolani told Entertainment Tonight the day after her death. “I had it in my calendar to wish her a happy birthday because she was turning 77 in a couple days. When I found out, it just cut my legs from under me because she was such a beacon of light.†Below, find tributes to Somers from her friends and co-stars.
This post has been updated throughout with tributes.