Career Timeline of Suzanne Somers: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Suzanne Somers built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Suzanne Somers was an American actress, author, and businesswoman best known for her roles as Chrissy Snow on the sitcom *Three's Company* (1977-1981) and as Carol Foster Lambert on *Step by Step* (1991-1998). Beyond acting, she achieved success as an entrepreneur, marketing various products, and as an author, writing on topics such as health and lifestyle.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1968: Move to Sausalito and The Anniversary Game

In 1968, after divorcing, Suzanne Somers moved to Sausalito and began working on The Anniversary Game.

1968: Divorce and Prize Modeling

In 1968, after divorcing, Suzanne Somers worked as a prize model on Anniversary Game, a game show based at KGO-TV in San Francisco.

February 1970: Test Photoshoot with Stan Malinowski

In February 1970, Suzanne Somers did a test photoshoot with Stan Malinowski, and was accepted as a Playmate candidate in 1971, but declined to pose nude before the actual shoot.

1971: Panelist on Mantrap

From 1971, Suzanne Somers was a panelist on the Alan Hamel-hosted Mantrap, a weekday daytime panel show.

1971: Declined to Pose Nude

In 1971, Suzanne Somers was accepted as a Playmate candidate in 1971, but declined to pose nude before the actual shoot.

1973: Movie Bit Parts

In 1973, Suzanne Somers appeared in bit parts in movies, including "Blonde in the white Thunderbird" in 'American Graffiti' and as a "pool girl" in Magnum Force.

1973: End of Mantrap Appearance

In 1973, Suzanne Somers's appearance on Mantrap ended.

February 1974: Lotsa Luck Appearance and Tonight Show Debut

In February 1974, Suzanne Somers appeared in an episode of Lotsa Luck and made her first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, promoting her book of poetry.

1974: Appearance in The Rockford Files

In 1974, Suzanne Somers appeared in The Rockford Files.

1976: Guest Appearance on One Day at a Time

In 1976, Suzanne Somers made a guest appearance in an episode of One Day at a Time.

1977: Three's Company Debut

In 1977, Suzanne Somers began her role as Chrissy Snow on the television series Three's Company.

1977: Guest Role on The Six Million Dollar Man

In 1977, Suzanne Somers had a guest-starring role on The Six Million Dollar Man in the episode "Cheshire Project".

1980: Salary Demands on Three's Company

In late 1980, as Three's Company began its fifth season, Suzanne Somers demanded a salary increase to match her male co-star, John Ritter, and a share of the show's profits.

1981: End of Three's Company Role

In 1981, Suzanne Somers ended her role as Chrissy Snow on Three's Company.

1981: Aftermath of Three's Company

In 1981, Suzanne Somers faced diminished popularity after her departure from Three's Company.

1983: Production Deal with Columbia Pictures Television

In 1983, Suzanne Somers, through her Hamel/Somers Productions, signed a deal with Columbia Pictures Television.

December 1984: Playboy Pictorial

In December 1984, Suzanne Somers appeared in a Playboy cover-feature nude pictorial by Richard Fegley in an attempt to regain popularity after the Three's Company debacle in 1981.

1987: Starred in She's the Sheriff

From 1987, Suzanne Somers starred in the sitcom She's the Sheriff, in first-run syndication.

1989: End of She's the Sheriff

In 1989, Suzanne Somers ended her role on She's the Sheriff, after two seasons.

1990: Return to Network Television

In 1990, Suzanne Somers returned to network television, appearing in numerous guest roles and made-for-TV movies.

September 1991: Starred in Step By Step

In September 1991, Suzanne Somers returned to series television in the sitcom Step By Step, which became a success on ABC's TGIF lineup.

1991: Step by Step Role

In 1991, Suzanne Somers began her role as Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step.

1991: Broadcast of Keeping Secrets

In 1991, a biographical film of Suzanne Somers, entitled Keeping Secrets, based on her autobiography, was broadcast on ABC.

1994: Launch of Daytime Talk Show

In 1994, Suzanne Somers launched a daytime talk show titled Suzanne Somers, which lasted one season.

1997: Co-Hosted Candid Camera

From 1997, Suzanne Somers co-hosted the revised Candid Camera show when CBS revived it with Peter Funt.

1997: Step By Step Moved to CBS

In 1997, Step By Step continued on ABC until the end of its sixth season, when the series moved to CBS for what turned out to be its final season.

1998: End of Step by Step Role

In 1998, Suzanne Somers ended her role as Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step.

1999: End of Candid Camera

In 1999, Suzanne Somer's appearance on Candid Camera ended.

January 2004: Premiere of The Blonde in the Thunderbird

In January 2004, The Blonde in the Thunderbird premiered at the Spreckels Theatre in San Diego.

June 2004: The Blonde in the Thunderbird Show

In June 2004, The Blonde in the Thunderbird played at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.

September 2005: Cancellation of Broadway Show

In September 2005, Suzanne Somers' Broadway show, The Blonde in the Thunderbird, was cancelled shortly after its debut due to poor reviews and ticket sales.

2012: Online Video Talk Show and Reunion

In 2012, Suzanne Somers began an online video talk show, Suzanne Somers Breaking Through, and reunited with Joyce DeWitt after 31 years.

2012: The Suzanne Show Airs

In the fall of 2012, The Suzanne Show, hosted by Somers, aired for a 13-episode season on the Lifetime Network, covering topics related to health and fitness.