TV Icon Suzanne Somers Loses Battle with Cancer at 76

Suzanne Somers, the luminary blonde who stole hearts as Chrissy Snow in the hit TV series, “Three’s Company,” and a successful entrepreneur, has passed away at the age of 76.

Her prolonged battle with breast cancer ended on a Sunday morning, according to her family. Her husband Alan Hamel, son Bruce, and other immediate family members stood by her side in her final hours in Palm Springs, California.

Originally, the family reunion was intended to commemorate Suzanne’s 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will now honor her extraordinary journey and extend their heartfelt gratitude to the countless fans and followers who adored her.

Somers’ ongoing struggle with breast cancer, first diagnosed in 2000, became public again last July when she revealed its recurrence on Instagram. She communicated her vow to fight on saying, “Like any cancer patient, when you get that dreaded, ‘It’s back,’ you get a pit in your stomach. Then I put on my battle gear and go to war. This is a familiar battleground for me and I’m very tough.”

Despite facing criticism for her unconventional approach towards her ailments, Suzanne held strongly to the belief in a chemical-free and organic lifestyle to combat cancer, choosing to refute chemotherapy.

Suzanne’s journey started in San Bruno, California, where she was born in 1946 to a gardener father and a medical secretary mother. Her acting career took off in the late 1960s, initially driving the white Thunderbird as the blonde in George Lucas’s iconic 1973 film, “American Graffiti.” This performance led to her starring in a one-woman Broadway show titled “The Blonde in the Thunderbird,” albeit to largely harsh reviews.

Throughout the 1970’s, Suzanne became a television staple with roles in various shows like “The Rockford Files,” “Magnum Force,” and “The Six Million Dollar Man.” However, her notable acclaim arrived through “Three’s Company,” where she portrayed the affable and humorous Chrissy Snow.

Although she was removed from the sitcom after four seasons due to a pay dispute, Suzanne utilized the situation as a stepping stone to venture into new endeavors. Alongside performing a Las Vegas act, authoring books, and hosting a talk show, Suzanne flourished as an innovator, gaining notable prominence in the 1990s as the face of the “Thighmaster.”

The 1990s also witnessed Suzanne’s return to television, most notably in the show “Step by Step.” She additionally featured in an autobiographical film about her life journey titled “Keeping Secrets,” solidifying her iconic stature in the entertainment industry.