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…
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
Somers had always viewed the show as a business among serious actors, and she realized that her approach annoyed her co-stars.
Somers was ultimately fired but had to finish the fifth season under strange circumstances. Isolated from her castmates, she filmed her scenes through bizarre phone calls, escorted by security. The tension escalated, leading to a heartbreaking split between Somers and DeWitt.
For over 30 years, they didn’t speak, a silence that seemed hard to reconcile when you viewed their early years together.
”They painted me as she’s trying to ruin the show,” Somers said in 2020. “So, I never talked to anybody on that show ever again. Ever again.”
Some speculated that DeWitt’s rivalry contributed to Somers’ exit, but it was ultimately the salary negotiations that drove a wedge between them.
Their differing circumstances — Somers as a single mother needing financial security versus DeWitt’s focus on her craft — further complicated their relationship.
“We had very different approaches to our careers,” DeWitt said of the relationship between her and Somers following the show. “We had very different needs. I did not have a child that I was supporting on my own. I didn’t have a business head, so I didn’t understand someone who did.”
However, in a beautiful twist, the two finally reunited in February 2012 on Somers’ talk show, Breaking Through. It was clear that they had buried the hatchet.
The former co-stars shared a heartfelt hug, and their open conversation about the past offered a glimpse of healing.
DeWitt expressed her deep respect for Somers’s accomplishments, saying, “You went up against ruthlessness, and it came down, but what you’ve gone on to do is immeasurable.” This moment highlighted the strength of their journey and the power of reconciliation. The two actresses remained friends until Somers’s tragic passing in 2023.
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In the interview with US Weekly, DeWitt spoke fondly of her late co-stars, paying tribute to their lasting impact. Reflecting on Somers, who passed away from breast cancer, DeWitt described her as ”absolutely wonderful.”
She also honored Ritter, who died in 2003 during heart surgery, calling him ”a true gift.”
As we revisit the photos from Three’s Company, we are transported back to a different, happier time—one brimming with laughter, friendship, and unforgettable moments. These images from the set not only celebrate the joy the cast brought to our screens but also highlight the enduring legacy they have left behind.
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RIP John Ritter and Suzanne Somers – gone but never forgotten!
Nicole Kidman’s Heartbreaking Confession: Why She Missed Her Ailing Mother’s 80th Birthday
Nicole Kidman’s life has been full of success and personal sacrifice. As a teenager, she cared for her mother, but she missed some important moments in her family’s life. This shows a different side of her story.
While she is known for her amazing performances and is one of Hollywood’s top actresses, Nicole Kidman recently experienced a deep personal loss.
On September 7, 2024, Nicole Kidman won the Best Actress award at the 81st Venice Film Festival for her role in the film “Babygirl.” However, the excitement of this big win was overshadowed by tragic news that made her leave Venice just as the ceremony was starting.
Nicole Kidman missed a major award ceremony after experiencing a devastating loss.
She had traveled to Venice for the awards, but the sudden death of her beloved mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, meant she couldn’t stay to accept the award in person. Instead, the film’s director, Halina Reijn, took the stage to deliver Nicole’s remarks, reading from a statement she had prepared.
Nicole Kidman shared her grief with the audience, saying, “Today, I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after that my brave and beautiful mother, Janelle Anne Kidman, had just passed. I’m in shock and need to be with my family, but this award is for her.” Her heartfelt words touched many, revealing the deep impact her mother had on her life.
In her emotional statement, Nicole Kidman spoke about the deep impact her mother had on her life, saying, “She shaped me, she guided me, and she made me. I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina. The collision of life and art is heartbreaking. My heart is broken.” Her words captured the bittersweet nature of experiencing a professional triumph amid personal tragedy.
Janelle Kidman, 84, was a nursing instructor and a devoted member of the Women’s Electoral Lobby, an Australian feminist group. Her dedication to her work and her strong influence on Nicole’s values and worldview were evident throughout the actress’s life.
Nicole Kidman’s bond with her mother grew even stronger through years of personal caregiving. At just 17, Nicole took a break from her rising acting career to care for Janelle during a crucial period in her life.
The Golden Globe winner even took a massage course to help with her mother’s rehabilitation, showing just how dedicated she was to her family.
Growing up, Nicole Kidman saw her mother face serious health challenges, which deeply affected her. As she grew older, Nicole became more involved in raising awareness for women’s health issues, using her own experiences and pain to support advocacy efforts.
Nicole Kidman once spoke about how watching her mother battle breast cancer as a teenager had a profound impact on her. She said, “I have seen my mother go through it. I think that has had an effect on me. I was in my late teens, and that experience has left a mark on me in a way I will never forget,” during a breast cancer awareness campaign.
Janelle’s health journey had a significant impact on the entire family, leading Nicole to maintain a constant sense of vigilance into her adulthood. Nicole explained, “With my mother, it’s every year. Once it has affected your life, you stay vigilant. You have to keep getting checked, and eventually, your whole family is affected by it.”
Nicole’s deep connection with her mother was clear in all aspects of her life. Their bond went beyond shared experiences to include the sacrifices Nicole made, many of which often went unnoticed. This profound relationship is why Nicole missed celebrating her mother’s birthday and Mother’s Day.
Despite her busy schedule, the 57-year-old star always made her family a priority, especially during tough times. In 2020, the global pandemic created an unprecedented separation, making Nicole and many others yearn for the comfort and closeness of family.
As the world went into lockdown, the “Moulin Rouge” star couldn’t visit her mother in Australia, which was especially difficult during important family moments like Mother’s Day and Janelle’s 80th birthday.
Nicole expressed her deep longing by saying, “I would love to be able to have a cup of tea with mum, sit on the balcony, talk about life, and have her tell me what I should be doing.”
The distance was painful for Nicole, as she missed these precious moments with her mother. Reflecting on the lockdown challenges, she said, “It was gut-wrenching. At least we had FaceTime and technology, which was a saving grace. But not having that physical connection has been really hard for our family.”
Even during these challenging times, the “Far and Away” star found comfort in small connections through technology. She frequently FaceTimed her mother, who, although initially hesitant about video calls, eventually embraced them.
Nicole fondly remembered helping her mom find the best angles for video calls and laughed about Janelle’s resistance to Zoom. “She’s like, ‘No, no Zoom,’” Nicole joked, reflecting on the light-hearted moments that helped them stay close despite the distance.
The bond between Nicole and her mother was deeply rooted in both family ties and shared passions. Janelle played a crucial role in shaping Nicole’s ambitions, always encouraging her and her sister, Antonia Kidman, to follow their own paths. Nicole shared, “She’s given me the fire to pursue the career I have because I’ve always wanted to please her.”
Janelle’s influence went beyond words, motivating Nicole to excel and ensuring that her daughters had opportunities she herself did not. Nicole noted, “Mum didn’t necessarily get the career she wanted, but she was determined that her daughters would have equal opportunities. That’s given me my life. She and my dad gave me my life.”
When Janelle’s health declined in early 2022, Nicole immediately returned to Australia to be with her. Despite the ongoing pandemic, Nicole made sure her mother was surrounded by love and the people who mattered most, including her grandchildren.
Reflecting on this period, the “Aquaman” star shared a special memory: “We were able to take her into the gallery after hours and show her the Matisse exhibit. For a mother who raised me with a love for the arts, it was very, very soothing and comforting.”
Nicole emphasized how her mother’s passion for fashion greatly influenced her own style, saying, “And my mother is still—she’s so involved in what I wear.” Janelle’s keen eye for detail and style remained a guiding force, with her continuing to help with Nicole’s wardrobe choices almost until the end.
Throughout her life, Janelle was more than just a mother to Nicole; she was a source of inspiration, a confidante, and a constant presence who played a crucial role in shaping the person Nicole became.
Despite the physical distance and the challenges it brought, Nicole Kidman’s bond with her mother never wavered. Their relationship, marked by moments of shared laughter and quiet support, stands as a testament to the enduring power of family.
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