While Three’s Company is remembered for its lighthearted humor, the lives of its stars were often anything but simple. The recent wave of retrospectives and documentaries has cast new light on the behind-the-scenes tensions and personal struggles that shaped the sitcom’s history.
John Ritter, the heart of the series, tragically passed away in 2003 at the age of 54, shocking fans worldwide. His death remains one of the most mourned losses in television history, and every anniversary brings a flood of tributes on social media. Ritter’s ability to balance physical comedy with genuine warmth is often cited as the reason the show became iconic.
Suzanne Somers’ dramatic exit from the show in 1981 is another chapter that continues to fascinate fans. At the peak of her popularity, Somers demanded a salary equal to male sitcom stars of the time. When negotiations failed, she was written out of most of Season 5, appearing only in brief phone call segments before departing entirely. Her fight for pay equity has since been reframed as ahead of its time, resonating in today’s conversations about gender equality in Hollywood.
Joyce DeWitt, often seen as the steady center of the trio, largely avoided the spotlight after the show ended. In later interviews, she revealed how fame was overwhelming and how she preferred to retreat from Hollywood rather than pursue constant attention.
The cast’s off-screen journeys reflect the pressures of television stardom in an era when celebrity privacy was both coveted and constantly invaded. Yet, despite the conflicts, their on-screen magic never faltered—proof that even amid personal struggles, the ensemble created something enduring that audiences continue to celebrate.
