Why Did Suzanne Somers And Joyce DeWitt Not Get Along? The Untold Story Of A Hollywood Rift
For many who grew up watching television in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the beloved sitcom "Three's Company" brought laughter into countless homes. The show, with its playful misunderstandings and charming cast, felt like a warm, comforting presence. Yet, behind the bright lights and comedic timing, a significant and rather long-lasting disagreement was unfolding between two of its leading stars, Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt. People often wonder, even now, what truly happened to cause such a noticeable split between these talented women.
It's a question that, quite frankly, has lingered for decades, sparking curiosity among fans and those interested in the workings of Hollywood. The disconnect between Somers, who played the cheerful Chrissy Snow, and DeWitt, who portrayed the sensible Janet Wood, was more than just a passing squabble; it led to years of silence and a genuine separation in their professional and personal lives. So, how did two actresses, who shared so much screen time, come to be so estranged?
This article aims to explore the actual reasons behind the well-known feud, drawing directly from the accounts available. We will look at the contract issues, the different personal approaches to their work, and how time eventually brought a measure of healing. It's a story of ambition, misunderstanding, and, in some respects, eventual peace. We'll try to piece together why these two prominent figures found themselves on such different paths for such a very long time.
Table of Contents
- Suzanne Somers: A Brief Look at Her Life
- Joyce DeWitt: A Glimpse into Her World
- The Spark That Ignited the Feud
- Different Paths and Needs
- The Impact on the Set and Beyond
- Years of Silence and the Path to Reconciliation
- What the Reconciliation Meant
- People Also Ask (FAQs)
Suzanne Somers: A Brief Look at Her Life
Suzanne Somers, an actress who became widely known for her portrayal of Chrissy Snow, truly captured the hearts of many during her time on "Three's Company." She starred in this very popular show from 1977 to 1981, becoming a household name. However, her journey was not always an easy one, even before her rise to fame. It's almost as if her early life experiences shaped some of her later actions and aspirations in the entertainment world.
During her childhood, she actually experienced a lot of difficulty. The actress once shared that her father was abusive, which is a very tough thing for anyone to go through. He would, in fact, call her names like "stupid" and "worthless." This sort of environment, growing up with an alcoholic parent, can leave a lasting mark, and she herself said, "it's not easy growing up with an alcoholic." This background, arguably, might have influenced her drive and her desire for recognition and fair treatment later in her career, as a matter of fact.
Her time on "Three's Company" was certainly a significant period for her, establishing her as a comedic talent. Yet, it was also the setting for the very public disagreement that would define much of her relationship with her co-star, Joyce DeWitt. This period, in short, was a mix of great success and personal challenge for Somers.
Suzanne Somers: Personal Details and Bio Data
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Suzanne Marie Mahoney |
| Known For | Actress, Author, Businesswoman |
| Notable Role | Chrissy Snow on 'Three's Company' |
| Years on 'Three's Company' | 1977-1981 |
| Childhood Experiences | Abuse from father, called "stupid" and "worthless" |
| Father's Condition | Alcoholic |
| Career Approach (as described by DeWitt) | Very different approach to careers |
Joyce DeWitt: A Glimpse into Her World
Joyce DeWitt, who portrayed the more grounded character of Janet Wood on "Three's Company," had, in some respects, a different approach to her career and public life compared to her co-star. While both women were integral to the show's success, their personal priorities and professional desires seemed to diverge quite early on. This difference in outlook would, in fact, become a significant factor in their later disagreements.
DeWitt, it seems, was always a bit more private. She was, for instance, known to be uncomfortable with certain aspects of publicity. This personal preference became even more apparent when a particular magazine cover created a great deal of controversy behind the scenes. Joyce, who already felt a little uneasy about such public attention, felt even more conflicted about things because of this situation. This suggests a person who valued her personal space and perhaps found the intense scrutiny of fame a bit overwhelming, you know?
Her perspective on the disconnect between herself and Somers was quite clear. She explained that they "had very different approaches to our careers" and also "very different needs." She even mentioned, "I did not have a child that i." This last point, though a bit incomplete in the record, suggests a fundamental difference in their personal lives and responsibilities, which could easily shape one's career decisions and priorities. It's almost like they were coming from very different places, personally and professionally.
Joyce DeWitt: Personal Details and Bio Data
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joyce Anne DeWitt |
| Known For | Actress |
| Notable Role | Janet Wood on 'Three's Company' |
| Career Approach (as described by her) | Very different approach to careers compared to Somers |
| Personal Needs (as described by her) | Very different needs compared to Somers |
| Comfort with Publicity | Uncomfortable about publicity, felt conflicted about things |
The Spark That Ignited the Feud
The core reason behind the long-standing tension between Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt actually stemmed from a very common Hollywood issue: money and recognition. The feud, it turns out, started when Suzanne Somers made a request for a pay raise and also asked for more screen time on "Three's Company." She wanted, quite simply, to be paid the same amount as her male co-star, John Ritter. This was a significant demand at the time, and it truly shook things up behind the scenes.
When Somers made this request, the show's producers reacted in a way that truly escalated the situation. Instead of meeting her demands, they began to write her character, Chrissy Snow, off the show. This decision, as you might imagine, caused a great deal of tension on the set. It wasn't just a simple disagreement; it became a full-blown conflict that directly impacted the working environment for everyone involved. The atmosphere, apparently, grew very strained.
It's important to understand that these were not just casual conversations; they were, in fact, contract negotiations that had gone awry. Somers made what she felt were desperate attempts to convince the producers to offer her a more profitable arrangement. However, the outcome was her being written out of the show, which then led to her eventual firing. This turn of events was, in a way, the very beginning of the deep rift between her and DeWitt, and it truly set the stage for years of silence.
Different Paths and Needs
Beyond the immediate financial disagreement, the underlying reasons for the prolonged estrangement between Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt seemed to run much deeper. Joyce DeWitt herself explained that she and Somers simply "had very different approaches to our careers." This suggests that their professional philosophies and what they sought from their work were, in fact, quite different. One might have prioritized financial gain and broader fame, while the other perhaps valued the craft itself or a more private existence.
DeWitt also pointed out that they "had very different needs." This is a rather broad statement, but it speaks to the fundamental differences in their personal lives and what motivated them. For instance, DeWitt mentioned, "I did not have a child that i." While this sentence is a little cut off, it hints at different life circumstances. Having children, or not having them, can certainly influence one's career choices, financial needs, and overall life priorities. It's almost like they were on different life journeys, which naturally led to different professional paths.
These differing needs and approaches meant that even if the contract issues had been resolved differently, there might still have been a fundamental disconnect. Their individual perspectives on what success looked like, how much public exposure was desirable, and what truly mattered in their lives simply did not align. This fundamental divergence, arguably, contributed significantly to why they remained apart for such a long period after the initial conflict.
The Impact on the Set and Beyond
The tension that arose from Suzanne Somers' contract dispute had a very real and immediate impact on the production of "Three's Company." When producers started to write her character off, the atmosphere on set became noticeably strained. It was no longer the lighthearted environment that viewers saw on screen; behind the scenes, relationships were not so innocent, and conversations, apparently, became quite brash. This kind of professional conflict, you know, can truly make a workplace feel uncomfortable for everyone involved.
The animosity extended beyond the filming itself. During the production or promotion of a related film, Somers and DeWitt were, in fact, not on speaking terms with one another. This means that even when they were required to be together for work-related events, they maintained their silence. This level of sustained non-communication highlights the depth of the rift that had formed between them. It wasn't just a momentary spat; it was a deeply entrenched silence that lasted for years and years.
The end result of this conflict was also a magazine cover that created a great deal of controversy behind the scenes. Joyce DeWitt, who was already feeling a bit uncomfortable about publicity in general, felt even more conflicted about things because of this. This incident further illustrates how the professional disagreements bled into their personal comfort zones, making an already difficult situation even more challenging for at least one of the parties involved. It's clear, in short, that the feud had wide-ranging consequences.
Years of Silence and the Path to Reconciliation
After Suzanne Somers left "Three's Company," a remarkable period of silence began between her and Joyce DeWitt. For an astonishing 30 years, these two leading ladies, who had once shared so much, simply did not speak to each other. This long stretch of non-communication is, in a way, a testament to how deeply the initial conflict had affected them both. It's almost hard to imagine such a prolonged silence between people who worked so closely together.
However, time, as it often does, began to work its magic. The first crack in this long silence occurred in February 2012, when they actually had a discussion. This initial conversation, though not yet a full public reconciliation, marked a significant turning point. It was the first time they had truly spoken with each other since the feud erupted so many decades earlier. This private talk, perhaps, laid some groundwork for what was to come later.
The public reconciliation finally happened in 2014, when Joyce DeWitt and Suzanne Somers buried the hatchet. This momentous occasion took place on Somers' online show, "Breaking Through." It was a very significant event for fans and for the actresses themselves. Somers, in fact, admitted to being a little nervous when introducing Joyce, saying, "It's been over 30 years since Joyce and I have seen each other, so I have to admit I'm a little nervous." This nervousness, you know, really shows the weight of those silent years.
Both women, reflecting on their long separation, admitted that time and maturity had helped them move past their differences. It seems that with the passing of years, perspectives can shift, and old grievances can begin to fade. The decision to reconnect was a conscious one, a recognition that holding onto the past was perhaps no longer serving them. It was, in some respects, a very human act of letting go.
What the Reconciliation Meant
The reconciliation between Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt was, in fact, about much more than just a reunion for television viewers. Both women realized that the years of silence and the lingering resentment had only hurt them both in the end. It became clear that holding onto the past, with all its bitterness, wasn't doing either of them any good. This understanding, in a way, paved the path for their eventual coming together.
Their conversation on Somers' online show was a powerful moment, not just for them but for anyone who had followed their story. It truly symbolized a willingness to move forward and to acknowledge the shared history they had, despite the very long break in their communication. The act of making up was, in essence, about letting go of old hurts and finding a way to peace. It showed that even the deepest rifts can, given enough time and effort, begin to mend.
The coming together of these two leading ladies, after such tense circumstances and such a long period of estrangement, managed to resemble more of a healing process. It was a demonstration that maturity can bring a different perspective to past conflicts. Their reconciliation, quite simply, was a powerful statement about forgiveness and the possibility of finding common ground, even after many years of being apart. It was a very meaningful moment for them both, and, arguably, for their fans as well. Learn more about classic television history on our site, and link to this page for more celebrity stories.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Q1: What was the main reason for Suzanne Somers leaving Three's Company?
Suzanne Somers left "Three's Company" primarily due to a contract dispute. She asked for a pay raise, seeking to be paid the same amount as her male co-star, John Ritter. She also requested more screen time. However, the show's producers did not agree to her demands and, as a result, began to write her character, Chrissy Snow, out of the show. This led to her eventual firing after a feud with the producers over her demands. It was, quite simply, a disagreement over fair compensation and recognition.
Q2: How long did Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt not speak to each other?
Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt did not speak to each other for a very significant period, lasting about 30 years. This long silence began after Somers left "Three's Company" due to the contract issues. They maintained this silence throughout the production and promotion of a related film, and it wasn't until a private discussion in February 2012 that they actually communicated again. Their public reconciliation, however, took place in 2014.
Q3: When did Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt reconcile?
Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt officially reconciled in 2014. This significant event happened on Somers' online show, "Breaking Through," where they publicly buried the hatchet after many years of silence. Both women acknowledged that time and increased maturity truly helped them move past their previous differences and the long-standing resentment. It was a moment that, in a way, closed a very long chapter of their shared history.
Joyce DeWitt Mourns Late 'Three's Company' Costar Suzanne Somers | Us Weekly
Joyce Dewitt And Suzanne Somers
Joyce DeWitt Mourns Late 'Three's Company' Costar Suzanne Somers | Us Weekly
