History of Suzanne Somers in Timeline

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

October 16, 1946: Suzanne Somers Born

On October 16, 1946, Suzanne Marie Somers (née Mahoney) was born. She later became a notable American actress, author, and businesswoman.

Others born on this day/year

1964: High School Graduation

In 1964, Suzanne Somers graduated from Capuchino High School in San Bruno, California. During her time there, she won the "Best Doll Award" for her role in Guys and Dolls and helped organize her class's senior ball.

April 14, 1965: Marriage to Bruce Somers

On April 14, 1965, Suzanne Somers married Bruce Somers.

November 1965: Birth of Son

In November 1965, Suzanne Somers and Bruce Somers had a son.

1965: Withdrawal from College and Marriage

In 1965, Suzanne Somers withdrew from San Francisco College for Women (Lone Mountain College) due to pregnancy, and subsequently married Bruce Somers. She was arrested for check fraud and her car was impounded.

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.

1971: Son's Accident and Therapy

In 1971, Suzanne Somers' six-year-old son, Bruce Somers, Jr., was struck by a car, leading her to seek therapy for both herself and her son.

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.

November 19, 1977: Marriage to Alan Hamel

On November 19, 1977, Suzanne Somers married Alan Hamel.

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: Playboy Controversy

In 1980, during an appearance on The Tonight Show, Suzanne Somers denied posing nude, which led Playboy to publish photos from a 1970 shoot without her permission. She later sued Playboy and settled for $50,000, which was donated to charity.

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.

1986: Female Entertainer of the Year

In 1986, Las Vegas critics voted Suzanne Somers as Female Entertainer of the Year.

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.

April 2000: Breast Cancer Diagnosis

In April 2000, Suzanne Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy and radiation.

April 2000: Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

In April 2000, Suzanne Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a lumpectomy, followed by radiation therapy.

2003: Reconciliation with John Ritter

In 2003, Suzanne Somers and her Three's Company co-star, John Ritter, reconciled their friendship after 20 years of not speaking to each other, shortly before Ritter's death.

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.

January 2007: Home Destroyed by Wildfire

In January 2007, a wildfire in Southern California destroyed Suzanne Somers' home in Malibu.

November 2008: Misdiagnosis of Inoperable Cancer

In November 2008, Suzanne Somers announced she had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer, but learned a week later she was misdiagnosed.

2009: Celebrity Autobiography

In 2009, Kristen Wiig performed a reading of excerpts from Suzanne Somers' book of poetry Touch Me for Celebrity Autobiography.

2009: Release of Knockout

In 2009, Suzanne Somers published Knockout, a book about alternative cancer treatments, for which she received criticism.

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.

January 2013: Sandy Hook Shooting Comments

In January 2013, Suzanne Somers suggested that Adam Lanza may have been driven to commit the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting due to toxins in his diet and exposure to household cleaners.