What was Suzanne Somers' 'Three's Company' feud about? Late actress and her co-star Joyce DeWitt didn't speak for 30 years
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Suzanne Somers, who died on October 15 at the age of 76, got into a feud with the producers of 'Three’s Company' when they refused to give the actress a pay hike, as per Best Life.
It also soured her relationship with co-stars of the show, especially Joyce DeWitt, and they stopped talking for 30 years.
Notably, Somers, known for her ventures in shows like 'The Ropers' and 'Step by Step', became a household name during her stint in the 'Three’s Company' along with her co-stars DeWitt and John Ritter.
The trio's onscreen chemistry translated into real-life friendship until the feud disrupted the equation.
Suzanne Somers was fired from 'Three’s Company' over the feud
Suzanne Somers starred in the hit show 'Three’s Company' as Chrissy Snow from 1977 to 1981 until she was fired after getting into a feud with the producers over her demand for a pay hike when the show was going into its sixth season.
The producers chose to oust her from the show and filled Chrissy's place with other characters.
In a 2020 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Somers opened up about the reason behind her being fired from the show.
She said, "So, we went in to renegotiate for year six because we had to, my contract was up. And they fired me. They fired me for asking to be paid commensurate with the men."
Somers stated, "They need you as the example so no other woman in television will get uppity and think that they could ask for parity with men."
The actress also shared that she was hurt as many cast members shunned her after she left the show.
Somers shared, "Oh, it was so sad," before reiterating, "It was so sad. It was like being shunned from your family and whatever those producers said to them when they went back to the rehearsal hall, they painted me as greedy."
She explained, "They painted me as she's trying to ruin the show, and so the whole show -- cast and crew -- shunned me. ... So, I never talked to anybody on that show ever again. Ever again."
How did the feud between Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt resolve?
The dramatic tiff between Suzanne Somers and Joyce DeWitt created due to the 'Three’s Company' feud came to a heartwarming resolution when the latter decided to visit the online show 'Breaking Through' in 2012.
Their candid conversation shed light on several unanswered questions that begged to be addressed since Somers was fired from the show in 1981.
As DeWitt walked on stage, Somers said, "Oh my God. Holy cowski," before adding, "I have to tell you right now, I'm very overwhelmed and emotional," as per ABC News.
Somers explained during the conversation that her primary aim in starring at 'Three’s Company' was to make money as she was a single mother who had to support her child.
She said, "I always saw this as a business venture—show business," and added, "In a group of serious actors, I probably pissed you all off, and if I did, I'm really sorry. I just really needed money at the time."
Dewitt acknowledged her predicament and said, "We had very different approaches to our careers. 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."
'The Ropers' star explained that she came to Somers' show to make amends as "it's time."