Decades may have passed since Three’s Company graced our screens, but its laughter still echoes in our hearts.
With unforgettable characters and side-splitting misunderstandings, this classic sitcom revolutionized the genre. Now, Joyce DeWitt reveals what really made the show a timeless treasure…
Public Domain
From the hilarious antics of three single roommates to the unforgettable performances of John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, Three’s Company remains a beloved staple of American television. It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since the series finale aired on ABC, yet its charm and humor still resonate today.
To illustrate how long ago Three’s Company became a hit, I just watched the intro. Seeing the shots from Santa Monica Pier during the show’s prime reminds me of how much has changed since they filmed there.
Sadly, neither John Ritter nor Suzanne Somers are with us anymore; both were taken from us far too soon. But keeping the spirit of Three’s Company alive is Joyce DeWitt, 75, who shares her vibrant stories and cherished memories from the beloved show.
”The most dear, precious, tender – and utterly unexpected – experiences that have come from working in ‘Three’s Company’ are the many, many adults who have told me that ‘Three’s Company’ was a safe haven they could count on during their teen years – for some, the only safe haven,” Joyce DeWitt told US Weekly.
Joyce DeWitt circa 1978. (Photo by Images Press/IMAGES/Getty Images)
Starring as Janet Wood alongside John Ritter and Suzanne Somers, DeWitt became a television icon and she was such a day brightener for millions.
She appeared in 171 episodes of the show between 1976 and 1984.
“It was such a gift. I mean, it was iconic. But who would have thought it?” Joyce DeWitt told The Spec. “All we were trying to do was make people laugh. When I think about it, the show was really an attempt to do a contemporary version of a 16th-century farce. It was about silliness running wild. I mean, we were talking about serious issues at times, but that was always somewhere underneath.”
“John Ritter used to say, ‘We don’t want people to just laugh but to fall over their couch laughing,’” she added. “The real issue was always the depth of friendship and the love those characters had for each other. That’s what drew people to them.”
Flickr
After Three’s Company ended, DeWitt stepped away from the spotlight for over a decade before making her comeback to acting.
Yet, no matter what she has accomplished or plans to do in the future, the vast majority will always connect her with that iconic show. And there’s a very simple reason for that, according to DeWitt.
“It was a ‘time out’ from the oppressive, challenging, difficult circumstances they were navigating in their young lives,” DeWitt says and adds:
“And, oh by the way, they say the characters also did stupid, crazy stuff that made them laugh. But it was the love, trust and support of the characters, one to the other, that made them lifelong fans.”
Public Domain
When you look at unedited photos from the Three’s Company set, the camaraderie among the cast shines through, especially in the images of Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers, who played the beloved Chrissy Snow.
Both actresses delivered iconic performances, portraying young women navigating a male-dominated industry. They contributed just as much to the show’s success as John Ritter, and in those early days, their smiles in photos tell a story of friendship and collaboration.
Yet, beneath the laughter, tensions simmered. While Somers was celebrated for her role as “the dumbest blonde in America,” her fight for equal pay created rifts that would grow over time. As she demanded a 500% salary increase — from $30,000 to $150,000 — her relationship with DeWitt became strained. The set, once filled with joy, was now fraught with conflict.
Heartbreaking Revelation: Pat Boone’s Emotional Confession About Losing His Beloved Wife!
Pat Boone was a huge star in the 1950s and 60s, loved by fans everywhere.
In his long career, he did many things like writing songs, acting, writing books, and speaking to inspire people. He’s even written a book about faith called “If.”
Pat got married to Shirley Lee Foley when he was only 19. Shirley was the daughter of Red Foley, a famous country music singer.
One year after starting his music career, Pat Boone became famous with his hit song “Ain’t That a Shame,” which was originally by Fats Domino. In 1956, he had a song that reached number one on the charts, and only Elvis Presley was more popular at the time.
When he was just 23, he had his own TV show called The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom. It was on ABC and aired every week for 115 episodes until 1960.
“I was the youngest person ever to have my own music show on a big TV network, at 22 years old,” Boone said in an interview with Closer magazine.
Pat Boone’s career kept getting better and better. He became one of the most famous singers in America and also acted in movies like Journey to the Center of the Earth, State Fair, and The Greatest Story Ever Told, among others.
All the while, his wife Shirley was there, supporting him. She took care of their four daughters and also worked as an actress and assistant director.
They were married for 65 years until Shirley passed away at 84. She died because of complications from vasculitis, which is a group of disorders that damage blood vessels.
“Being married to one person for 65 years isn’t common in this wild industry,” Pat Boone shared with The Christian Post. “My wife Shirley passed away last year, and now I’m alone.”
Pat Boone still lives in the house they shared for many years and doesn’t plan to move. But he says he feels the sadness of losing his wife.
“I live here alone with a housekeeper and my dog, a little cocker spaniel named Shadow,” Pat Boone shared with Closer Weekly. “It’s just me and Shadow, feeling a bit lonely. But I’m okay. I miss Shirley.”
After his wife Shirley passed away, Pat told People magazine, “We had a wonderful life together for 65 years. She’s moved on to another place, but we’ll be together again one day.”
The love and devotion that these two shared is both beautiful and inspirational. Rest in peace Shirley.
Please share with all the Pat Boone fans you know.
Leave a Reply