Suzanne Somers was a celebrated American actress, author, and businesswoman, best known for her iconic television roles. She gained fame as the lovable Chrissy Snow on the popular sitcom "Three's Company", and later captivated audiences as Carol Foster Lambert on the family sitcom "Step by Step". Her career spanned beyond acting, encompassing writing and entrepreneurship.
October 16, 1946: Birth of Suzanne Somers
Suzanne Marie Mahoney, later known as Suzanne Somers, was born on October 16, 1946.
1964: Suzanne Somers Graduates High School and Attends College
Suzanne Somers graduated from Capuchino High School in 1964, where she was active in theater and student government. She then briefly attended San Francisco College for Women.
November 1965: Birth of Bruce Somers Jr.
Suzanne Somers and Bruce Somers welcomed their son, Bruce Jr., in November 1965.
1965: Suzanne Somers' Early Marriage and Challenges
Suzanne Somers became pregnant and married Bruce Somers in 1965 at the age of 19. She also faced legal and financial difficulties during this time.
1968: Suzanne Somers Begins Modeling and Television Career
After her divorce in 1968, Suzanne Somers began working as a prize model on the game show Anniversary Game.
1968: Divorce and Move to Sausalito
Following her divorce in 1968, Suzanne Somers relocated to Sausalito and started working as a prize model on "The Anniversary Game," where she met Alan Hamel.
February 1970: Suzanne Somers Poses for Playboy
Suzanne Somers participated in a photoshoot with Stan Malinowski for Playboy in February 1970.
1971: Bruce Jr.'s Accident and Therapy
In 1971, Suzanne Somers' son, Bruce Jr., was hit by a car. The traumatic experience led them both to seek therapy.
1971: Suzanne Somers as a Panelist on Mantrap
Suzanne Somers joined the daytime panel show Mantrap in 1971, working as a panelist until 1973.
1971: Suzanne Somers Declines Playmate Offer
Suzanne Somers was considered as a Playmate candidate but declined to pose nude for the magazine in 1971.
1973: Suzanne Somers' Early Film Roles
Suzanne Somers had small parts in films such as American Graffiti and Magnum Force in 1973.
February 1974: Suzanne Somers' Early Television Appearances
Suzanne Somers appeared in an episode of Lotsa Luck in February 1974, which led to her first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
1974: Suzanne Somers' Guest Roles on Popular Shows
Suzanne Somers had a guest role on The Rockford Files in 1974.
1976: Appearances on The Love Boat and One Day at a Time
Suzanne Somers appeared in the first episode of The Love Boat and had a guest role on One Day at a Time in 1976.
1977: Marriage to Alan Hamel
Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel married in 1977 and purchased a 25-acre estate in Palm Springs, California.
1977: Guest Appearance on The Six Million Dollar Man
Suzanne Somers appeared in an episode of The Six Million Dollar Man in 1977.
1977: Suzanne Somers Lands Role in Three's Company
Suzanne Somers began her role as Chrissy Snow on the popular sitcom Three's Company in 1977.
1980: Playboy Publishes Unauthorized Photos of Suzanne Somers
Playboy published photos from the 1970 photoshoot without Suzanne Somers' permission, leading to a lawsuit and settlement.
1980: Suzanne Somers' Salary Dispute on Three's Company
Suzanne Somers sought a significant salary increase for the fifth season of Three's Company in 1980, leading to a contract dispute.
1981: Motivations Behind Somers' Second Playboy Shoot
Suzanne Somers' decision to pose nude again for Playboy in 1984 was partly influenced by a desire to regain popularity after the Three's Company controversy in 1981.
1981: Suzanne Somers' Departure from Three's Company
Suzanne Somers' time on Three's Company ended in 1981.
1983: Suzanne Somers Signs Deal with Columbia Pictures Television
Suzanne Somers, through her production company with Alan Hamel, signed a deal with Columbia Pictures Television in 1983.
December 1984: Suzanne Somers' Second Playboy Pictorial
Suzanne Somers appeared nude in Playboy for the second time in December 1984, photographed by Richard Fegley.
1986: Suzanne Somers Named Female Entertainer of the Year in Las Vegas
Suzanne Somers received recognition for her Las Vegas performances in 1986, being named Female Entertainer of the Year by critics.
1987: Suzanne Somers Stars in She's the Sheriff
Suzanne Somers took on the lead role in the sitcom She's the Sheriff in 1987, which ran for two seasons.
1989: End of She's the Sheriff
Suzanne Somers' sitcom She's the Sheriff concluded in 1989.
1990: Suzanne Somers Returns to Television
Suzanne Somers made a return to network television with guest roles and appearances in made-for-TV movies in 1990.
1991: Keeping Secrets: A Film About Suzanne Somers
A biographical film about Suzanne Somers, titled Keeping Secrets, aired on ABC in 1991, based on her autobiography.
1991: Suzanne Somers Stars in Step by Step
Suzanne Somers took on the role of Carol Foster Lambert on the sitcom Step by Step, which premiered in 1991.
1994: Suzanne Somers Hosts Daytime Talk Show
Suzanne Somers hosted her own daytime talk show, titled Suzanne Somers, for one season in 1994.
1997: Step by Step Moves to CBS and Ends
Step by Step transitioned from ABC to CBS for its final season, concluding in 1997.
1997: Suzanne Somers Co-Hosts Candid Camera
Suzanne Somers joined Candid Camera as a co-host alongside Peter Funt, appearing on the show from 1997 to 1999.
1998: End of Step by Step
Step by Step, starring Suzanne Somers, aired its final episode in 1998.
1999: Suzanne Somers' Time on Candid Camera Ends
Suzanne Somers' role as co-host of Candid Camera came to an end in 1999.
April 2000: Suzanne Somers Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Suzanne Somers received a breast cancer diagnosis in April 2000, leading her to undergo a lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
April 2000: Suzanne Somers Diagnosed with Breast Cancer
Suzanne Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2000. She chose to undergo a lumpectomy and radiation but opted against chemotherapy.
2003: Suzanne Somers and John Ritter Reconcile
Suzanne Somers reconciled with her former Three's Company co-star, John Ritter, shortly before his death in 2003.
January 2004: The Blonde in the Thunderbird Premieres
In January 2004, Suzanne Somers' play, "The Blonde in the Thunderbird," premiered at the Spreckels Theatre in San Diego.
June 2004: The Blonde in the Thunderbird in Toronto
In June 2004, "The Blonde in the Thunderbird" played at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.
September 2005: Broadway Debut and Cancellation of "The Blonde in the Thunderbird"
In September 2005, Suzanne Somers made her Broadway debut in "The Blonde in the Thunderbird." However, the show was cancelled due to poor reviews and disappointing ticket sales.
January 2007: Wildfire Destroys Malibu Home
In January 2007, a wildfire in Southern California resulted in the destruction of Suzanne Somers' home in Malibu.
November 2008: Suzanne Somers' Cancer Misdiagnosis
Initially diagnosed with inoperable cancer in November 2008, Suzanne Somers received a misdiagnosis a week later.
2009: Suzanne Somers Releases "Knockout"
In 2009, Suzanne Somers authored and released "Knockout," a book exploring alternative cancer treatments, which sparked debate due to her promotion of non-traditional methods.
2009: Kristen Wiig Reads from Suzanne Somers' Poetry
In 2009, actress Kristen Wiig read excerpts from Suzanne Somers' poetry book, Touch Me, on the show Celebrity Autobiography.
2012: Suzanne Somers Launches Online Talk Show and Reunites with Joyce DeWitt
In 2012, Suzanne Somers started her online video talk show, "Suzanne Somers Breaking Through," which featured a reunion with her former "Three's Company" co-star, Joyce DeWitt, after 31 years.
2012: The Suzanne Show Premieres
Suzanne Somers hosted "The Suzanne Show," which aired for one season on the Lifetime Network in 2012, focusing on health and fitness.
January 2013: Suzanne Somers' Controversial Comments on Sandy Hook Shooting
Suzanne Somers faced criticism in January 2013 when she suggested a link between toxins in food and household cleaners and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
2014: Suzanne Somers Inducted into Infomercial Hall of Fame
Suzanne Somers' successful run as a spokeswoman for the Thighmaster exercise equipment led to her induction into the Infomercial Hall of Fame in 2014.
February 24, 2015: Suzanne Somers Joins Dancing with the Stars
On February 24, 2015, Suzanne Somers was announced as a contestant on the 20th season of "Dancing with the Stars."
June 2015: Suzanne Somers Stars in "Suzanne Sizzles"
In June 2015, Suzanne Somers starred in her show, "Suzanne Sizzles," at the Westgate Las Vegas.
2018: Suzanne Somers Undergoes Experimental Stem-Cell Therapy
In 2018, Suzanne Somers decided to undergo an experimental stem-cell therapy aimed at regenerating breast tissue she had lost due to cancer.
2021: Sale of Palm Springs Estate
In 2021, Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel sold their Palm Springs estate for $8.5 million.
October 15, 2023: Death of Suzanne Somers
Suzanne Somers passed away on October 15, 2023.