When Three’s Company debuted in 1977, it didn’t just become a ratings juggernaut — it broke ground with its cheeky tone, playful gender politics, and irresistible cast chemistry. But behind the scenes, things weren’t always so lighthearted. In 1980, what began as a contract dispute between Suzanne Somers and ABC executives turned into a lasting rupture — one that would leave Somers estranged from co-star Joyce DeWitt for over 30 years.
Now, years after their emotional reunion and Somers’ passing in 2023, fans are revisiting the real reason behind the silence that lasted decades — and the moment that finally brought the two iconic actresses back together.
A Battle Over Pay — and Power
At the height of the show’s popularity, Suzanne Somers — who portrayed the lovable, ditzy Chrissy Snow — found herself fighting not just for fair compensation, but for respect in an industry still deeply unequal. In 1980, she asked for a salary increase from $30,000 to $150,000 per episode, aiming to match the earnings of her male co-star John Ritter, and other leading men of the era. It was a bold move, especially at a time when women on television were often seen as replaceable.
But instead of leveling the playing field, ABC pushed back. The network refused to meet Somers’ request, and negotiations turned contentious. Represented by her husband and former television producer Alan Hamel, Somers became a lightning rod — and ultimately a scapegoat.
“She was made an example of,” Hamel told People at the time. “They didn’t want other women following her lead.”
In the fallout, Somers was effectively fired from the series. But with contractual obligations to finish the fifth season, she was relegated to isolated phone scenes, shot separately from the rest of the cast under tight security. The message from the network was clear — and cold.
Fallout Among Friends
For fans, the departure was jarring. But behind the scenes, it had a deeper emotional impact, particularly on Somers’ co-star Joyce DeWitt, who played Janet Wood. While many assumed personal animosity was at play, both actresses later clarified that it wasn’t a feud, but rather silence — born out of confusion, hurt, and years of unresolved misunderstandings.
The show continued with new characters — first Chrissy’s cousin Cindy (played by Jenilee Harrison), then the level-headed nurse Terri Alden (Priscilla Barnes). But the chemistry between Ritter, Somers, and DeWitt — the original trio — was never quite replicated.
Meanwhile, DeWitt stayed largely out of the spotlight, focusing on theater and consciously avoiding the fame that followed her Three’s Company years. Somers, in contrast, reinvented herself: first as a Las Vegas performer, then as a bestselling author, wellness entrepreneur, and talk show host.
Reconciliation After 30 Years
The long silence between the former co-stars finally ended in 2012, when DeWitt appeared as a guest on Somers’ talk show, Breaking Through. What began as a carefully arranged reunion quickly turned emotional.
In a rare moment of raw vulnerability on daytime TV, the two embraced and addressed their complicated past.
“I always saw this as a business venture,” Somers admitted. “And I was in a group of serious actors. I probably pissed you all off.”
DeWitt, who holds a master’s degree in fine arts from UCLA, responded with grace: “You went up against ruthlessness, and it came down. What you’ve gone on to do is immeasurable.”
The conversation turned heartfelt as DeWitt reflected on the deeper legacy of Three’s Company. “The only reason this show is worth remembering is that it allowed us to laugh together. That’s a profound gift.”
They ended the segment by honoring their late co-star, John Ritter, who died suddenly in 2003. Somers called him “the greatest physical comic of our era.” It was clear that, for both women, the shared memory of Ritter remained a powerful bond.
A Final Tribute
Though the show ended in 1984, the cultural impact of Three’s Company continues — and so does the public’s fascination with the people who brought it to life. In 2023, just months before Somers passed away, DeWitt appeared in a music video for the Davisson Brothers Band. In one scene, a framed photo of her with Ritter and Somers sat prominently in the background — a quiet but meaningful tribute to the trio that defined a generation of television.
Their story is more than a tale of a sitcom gone sideways. It’s a reflection of a shifting industry, a culture in transition, and two women whose lives were forever changed by the roles they played — on screen and off.
As Somers once said of the show: “It created something joyful. Something that still makes people smile.” And that, perhaps, is the most lasting legacy of all.
