Three’s Company star, author Suzanne Somers dies at 76 after long cancer battle

Three’s Company fame Suzanne Somers, who was also an entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author, died aged 76. The actress was suffering from breast cancer for the past 23 years and breathed her last on Sunday morning, according to a statement provided by her family. She is survived by her husband Alan Hamel and son Bruce. 

2 things you need to know

• Suzanne Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. 
• The actress revealed in July, earlier this year, that her cancer had returned.

Suzanne Somers’ family confirms her death

The statement issued by Somers’ family about her death read, “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 was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. The actress also faced criticism for her dependence on what she described as an organic, chemical-free way of life to fight tumors. In books and on shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show, she opposed the use of chemotherapy, which garnered condemnation from the American Cancer Society.

Suzanne Somers’ life and career 

Somers was born in 1946 in San Bruno, California, to a gardener father and a medical secretary mother. She married young, at 19, to Bruce Somers, after becoming pregnant with their son Bruce. The couple divorced three years later and she began modelling for The Anniversary Game to support herself. It was during this time that she met Hamel, whom she married in 1977.

She began acting in the late 1960s, earning her first credit in the Steve McQueen film Bullitt. But, she came into the limelight when she was cast as the blonde driving the white Thunderbird in George Lucas’ 1973 film American Graffiti.

Somers would later stage a one-woman Broadway show titled The Blonde in the Thunderbird, about her life, which drew largely scathing reviews. She appeared in many television shows in the 1970s, including The Rockford Files, Magnum Force and The Six Million Dollar Man, but her most famous part came with Three’s Company, which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984 — though her participation ended in 1981.

Somers took the break as an opportunity to pursue new avenues, including a Las Vegas act, hosting a talk show and turning into an entrepreneur. She was also a prolific author, writing books on ageing, menopause, beauty, wellness, sex and cancer.

(with inputs from AP)