Joyce DeWitt remembers Suzanne Somers after her death.
DeWitt, who is best known for her role as Janet Wood on Three’s Companyshared a statement with PEOPLE about her hopes for Somers’ family.
“My heart goes out to Suzanne’s family,” said DeWitt, 74. “They are a very close family — deeply connected and caring for each other. I can only imagine how difficult this time is for all of them.”
She also addressed Somers’ death, writing, “I’m sure Suzanne is greeted by angels in the loving wisdom that awaits us all on the other side, and I hope it helps her family’s hearts heal as they journey through this difficult time.”
Suzanne Somers, Three’s Company and Step by step Actress, died at 76
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Women acted opposite Three’s Company before Somers’ breakthrough role in the series was cut short due to a contract dispute.
In 1980, after four seasons of the show, Somers was fired from the show after demanding equal pay to John Ritter. ABC rejected her request to raise her salary from $30,000 to $150,000 per episode, according to Somers: “The show’s response was, ‘Who do you think you are?’ They said, ‘John Ritter is a star.'”
A professional disagreement also led to the end of DeWitt’s decades-long friendship with Somers. The women later reunited on Somers’ talk show Suzanne Somers in breakthrough. “It’s been over 30 years since Joyce and I saw each other, so I have to admit I’m a little nervous,” Somers said, introducing the women’s reunion segment.
They discussed financial disagreements. “In a group of serious actors, I probably pissed you all off,” Somers said, and both women laughed. “If I did, I’m really sorry. I just really needed the money at the time.”
The life of Suzanne Somers in photos
When asked why she appeared on the show, DeWitt replied, “It’s about time. I think you have given me a chance to make sure that I am saying what I have been saying for the last 30 years or so. Whenever something o Three’s Company appears, I ruthlessly said that my opinion was the only reason Three’s Company what is worth remembering is that it created an opportunity for us all to laugh together, to celebrate joy.”
She concluded: “Even if we haven’t seen each other for a very long time, you are giving me this opportunity to tell my speech.”
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Somers died on Sunday morning aged 66 – although Monday would have been her 67th birthday. A statement from her publicist confirmed to PEOPLE that she “passed peacefully at home” after “surviving an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years.”
The Step by step The actress is survived by her “blended family” – husband Alan Hamel, her son Bruce Somers Jr., 57, her stepsons, Stephen and Leslie, and six grandchildren.
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