Suzanne Somers

Suzanne Somers (born October 16, 1946) is an American actress best known for her role as Chrissy Snow on the sitcom Three's Company.

Background

Somers was born Suzanne Marie Mahoney, the third of four children in Frank and Marion Mahoney's Irish Catholic household in San Bruno, California. Her father was an alcoholic who could become violent on occasion, as Somers recounted, often forcing her to hide in her closet. She suffered from dyslexia and was a poor student. Suzanne went to Capuchino High School, and then attended Lone Mountain College, a Catholic school, on a music scholarship, but soon left after becoming pregnant. She gave birth to her son Bruce Jr. in November 1965, after marrying the boy's father, Bruce Somers. She left her husband three years later and began modelling. In 1971, her son Bruce was severely injured when he was hit by a car.

She began acting in small roles during the late 1960s and early 1970s (including on various talk shows promoting her book of poetry, and bit parts in movies such as the "Blonde in the T-Bird" in American Graffiti, and an episode of the American version of the sitcom Lotsa Luck as the femme fatale in the early 1970s) before landing the role of the ditzy blonde "Chrissy Snow" on the ABC sitcom Three's Company in 1977. At the beginning of the 1980-81 season, Suzanne demanded a raise from States dollar|$" target="_blank" >^*30,000 an episode to $150,000 an episode and 10% ownership of the show. When ABC refused, Somers boycotted the second and fourth shows of the season, claiming illness. She finished the remaining season on her contract, but her role was cut back to 1 minute per episode. After her contract expired, she sued ABC for $2 million, claiming that her credibility in show business had been damaged. The suit was settled for about $30,000.

She has been happily married to Canadian-born Alan Hamel since 1977. Hamel was her business manager during the failed negotiations which led to her leaving Three's Company.

During the 1980s she became a Las Vegas entertainer. She was the spokeswoman for the Thighmaster, a piece of exercise equipment that is squeezed between one's thighs, which later spawned the "Buttmaster." As well, she performed for U.S. servicemen overseas.O'Connor, John J., "TV: Suzanne Somers Plays for G.I.'s", The New York Times, January 3, 1983.Zielsdorf, Bruce E., "Armed Forces 'Salute' Suzanne Somers on Broadway", July 12, 2005. Army Public Affairs'' (press release)

More recently she bounced back on TV by starring in the successful 1990's sitcom Step By Step (with Patrick Duffy), and co-hosted Candid Camera with Peter Funt. A made for TV movie starring Somers (based on her first autobiography, Keeping Secrets) was made about her life and growing up with her alcoholic father. She has released two autobiographies, two self-help books, four diet books, and a book about hormone replacement therapy. She also makes regular monthly appearances with close friend Colleen Lopez for special theme weekends on cable television's Home Shopping Network.

Somers announced in spring 2001 that she had breast cancer and was using alternative medicine to treat it (along with surgery and radiation therapy). She became a breast cancer activist who worked with the American Breast Cancer Guide to educate and encourage others ^*.

In summer 2005, Somers made her Broadway debut in a one-woman show, The Blonde in the Thunderbird, a collection of stories about her life and career. The show was supposed to run until September, but negative publicity and disappointing ticket sales caused a late July closing. Somers blamed the harsh reviews (the New York Times: "...a swan dive into narcissism"; New York Post: "smug and remorseless") and told the Post: "These men York critics are curmudgeons, and maybe I went too close to the bone for them. I was lying there naked, and they decided to kick me and step on me, just like these visions you see in Iraq."

Television work

The Anniversary Game (1969-1970)
Mantrap (1971-1973)
Lotsa Luck (~1973)
Sky Heist (1975)
It Happened at Lakewood Manor (1977)
Three's Company (cast member from 1977-1981)
Happily Ever After (1978)
Zuma Beach (1978)
Hollywood Wives (1985) (miniseries)
Goodbye Charlie (1985)
She's the Sheriff (1987-1989)
Rich Men, Single Women (1990)
Step by Step (1991-1998)
Keeping Secrets (1991)
Exclusive (1992) (also co-executive producer)
The Suzanne Somers Show (1994-1995)
Seduced by Evil (1994)
Devil's Food (1996)
Love-Struck (1997)
No Laughing Matter (1998)
Candid Camera (co-host from 1998-2000)
The Darklings (1999)

Filmography

Books

The Sexy Years: Discover the Hormone Connection--The Secret to Fabulous Sex, Great Health, and Vitality, for Women and Men. Crown (2004) ISBN 0609607219.

References