Suzanne Somers passed away today, the day before her 77th birthday, from a battle with cancer.
“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,” Somers’ longtime publicist R. Couri Hay wrote in a statement on behalf of the actress’ family to Variety.
“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family. 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.”
Somers literally drove onto the scene in 1973’s America Graffiti as the blonde in the Thunderbird.
Four years later, she landed the role in Three’s Company, and that made her a household name. At first, we all loved the ditzy Chrissy Snow. And then we were all shocked and respected her when she was unceremoniously fired from the show for asking to be paid what she was worth.
She might not have gotten money from the series, but she got it from Thighmaster. It was a portable exercise machine that was the hit of the ’90s. As was her show Step By Step, which was also hit on Friday nights.
Somers continued to act, but her later years were spent selling organic beauty products and clothing.
Today, let’s honor her by watching one of her television shows and laughing with the blonde who was smarter than she played!
Somers is survived by her husband, Alan Hammel, her son, Bruce Jr., from a previous marriage, three grandchildren, and Hammel’s two children.
