At 74, Joyce DeWitt Is Embracing Gray Hair & Lives A Quiet Life After Resolving Feud With ‘Three’s Company’ Co-Star Suzanne Somers

Jun 16, 2023 by apost team

Joyce DeWitt, born on Apr. 23, 1949, in Wheeling, West Virginia, is a renowned actress who rose to fame for her iconic role as Janet Wood in the hit sitcom “Three’s Company.” With her charm, wit and impeccable comedic timing, DeWitt captivated audiences and became an integral part of one of America’s most beloved television shows.

DeWitt’s journey into the world of acting began at an early age. Growing up in Speedway, Indiana, she discovered her passion for performing during her high school years. Following her graduation, DeWitt made her way to the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting. 

In 1976, DeWitt’s breakthrough came when she was cast as Janet Wood in “Three’s Company.” The sitcom, which revolved around the comedic misunderstandings and misadventures of three roommates, quickly became a cultural phenomenon. DeWitt’s character, Janet, portrayed a smart, sensible, and quick-witted woman who often found herself caught up in the hilarious escapades of her roommates, played by John Ritter and Suzanne Somers. Her impeccable comedic timing, paired with her ability to deliver lines with a perfect blend of sass and charm, made Janet one of the show’s most beloved characters.

“Three’s Company” ran for eight successful seasons, from 1977 to 1984, and garnered widespread acclaim and a devoted fan base. The show’s popularity solidified DeWitt’s place in television history, and she became a household name, adored by millions of viewers across the nation. 

However, despite the success of the show and its stars – or perhaps even because of it – not everything was rosy behind the scenes. By its fifth season, DeWitt would butt heads with Somers and the rift between them would last 30 years before being resolved in a heart-to-heart conversation on air.

The relationship between DeWitt and her “Three’s Company” co-star Somers has been a subject of much speculation and discussion over the years. The primary source of conflict between DeWitt and Somers reportedly stemmed from salary negotiations. Somers, who portrayed the character of Chrissy Snow, had become immensely popular and sought a significant increase in her salary to match her rising fame – as well as the show’s male lead, Ritter’s salary. This led to a highly publicized contract dispute between Somers and the show’s producers, which ultimately resulted in Somers being fired after the fifth season.

Following Somers’ departure from the show, tensions between the two actresses continued to simmer. There were reports of disagreements and clashes between them during the remaining seasons of “Three’s Company.” However, specific details about the extent of their conflicts have not been publicly disclosed.

After the show’s run, DeWitt’s career never quite reached the same highs as it had when she was on “Three’s Company.” Although she continued acting onscreen, DeWitt leaned more toward the theater. According to Chris Mann, an expert on “Three’s Company,” DeWitt was “was a theater actor. She, I don’t think, was prepared for the machinations of Hollywood at all.”

The sentiment appeared to hold true as DeWitt told Jim Longworth in an interview that she was never one to “toot her own horn.”

“I know when I’m doing my work, I'm worth paying attention to. As a person, I don’t know,” she said. 

She added: “For me, it’s all about the work. There is something that my soul is drawn to, wanting to share with other people. … I am guided from the depths of my soul to share with other people through a piece of work to see how we might communicate (as) human beings one to the other.”

apost.com

In later years, DeWitt sought fewer acting roles, making the odd appearance at conventions and in certain plays. Now proud to wear her hair gray, she divides her time between homes in Los Angeles and New Mexico. The star also never married, although she had one high-profile relationship with actor and director Ray Buktenica from 1973 to 1980.

DeWitt told The Spec in 2011 that her tenacity is what usually gets her through tough times. “Was I tough? No I don't think that word is right. What I have though is a rebellious spirit. I mean, I was emotionally insecure sure. I'd burst into tears in a minute. I'm still that way today, but I've done lots of work on myself. Of course I'm a work in progress. The process is to be continued,” she said.

She added that after “Three’s Company” wrapped up, she retreated to her naturally introverted shell.

“I was ready for quiet and reflection. I loved being Janet but she was never my whole reason for getting up in the morning. My identity and self-worth weren't wrapped up in her and that show. Of course there's a lonely period. I missed the characters as much as the people who played them. But I'm basically a hermit. My natural instinct is to go into the cave and ponder, not stand outside and howl. Oh, I have a gregarious side, but there's the inner Joyce too," she remarked.

In later interviews, both DeWitt and Somers acknowledged the strained relationship between them during their time on the show. Finally, in 2012, DeWitt appeared on Somers’ talk show “Breaking Through” for an open and heartfelt chat about the issue. 

Both DeWitt and Somers had not spoken to each other in more than 30 years, so the anticipation of their reunion was high. During the show, the women spoke openly about their past grievances, including the salary issue that led to Somers’ dismissal.

“When I came to ‘Three’s Company,’ I had come from being a single mother. I needed money. I really needed money. I was so happy to get this job so I was finally gonna make some money,” Somers said.

She added, “In a group of serious actors, I probably pissed you all off. And if I did, I’m really sorry. I just needed the money at the time.”

On Somers being fired when she had asked for commensurate pay with the men, DeWitt said, “They could not respect the feminine contribution… you went up against ruthlessness.” Somers responded, “You and I deserved to be paid equal with what the men were being paid is my feeling about that so it was their loss.”

DeWitt also touched on the “different approaches” to their careers and said, “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.” She added:

“I really never wanted any attention, which is why becoming famous, I just tried to hide as much as possible… I have often said to friends you know when the press would come into the room, John would be hysterical, you would graciously hold court and I would hide.”

The women ended their interview on a high, thanking each other for making space for them once again in their lives and holding each other in a tight embrace. 

What do you think of the decades-long rift between the two former co-stars? Are you happy to see them put the past behind and reconcile? Let us know and be sure to pass this on to all the “Three’s Company” fans you know!