Suzanne Somers, actress and fitness mogul dead at age 76
Suzanne Somers, best known for starring in the hit television series Three’s Company back in the 70’s and later She’s the Sheriff and Step by Step, has died. She was 76.
“Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th. She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years,” Somers’ longtime publicist R. Couri Hay wrote in a statement to People shared on behalf of the actress’ family.
“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family,” the statement continued. “Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”
Somers also headed a multimillion dollar fitness empire which included books on wellness, weight loss and sex.
Suzanne Somers competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2015. Partner Tony Dovolani remembers her as a “joy to be around”
In 2015, Somers appeared on Dancing with the Stars as a contestant partnered with pro Tony Dovolani. She and Tony were the fourth couple eliminated on season 20. Rumer Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy went on to win the Mirror Ball Trophy that season.
Despite a short run, Tony shared this thoughts on his former partner with Extra. He described her a s a “joy to be around.”
“I feel so bad because I got to know her really well during Dancing with the Stars,” he said. “I have all her books… Every time you saw her, she put a smile on your face. Every time you were around her, she made you feel good about yourself. She was just a joy to be around. We really did lose a beautiful light… It really did sadden me.”
Tony also spent time with Suzanne and her husband Alan Hamel at their Palm Springs home.
“I feel like saying these two were in love is an understatement — they worshiped each other,” Tony shared. “They were inseparable… When they looked at each other, you knew there were just sparks flying constantly… They really withstood the test of time… They were in love the entire time… It was so present.”
“That’s something that I’m going to take with me for the rest of my life, is knowing that I got to work with a special person like her.”
Tony said no matter what, Suzanne kept a positive attitude. “It is such a show that brings out, sometimes, the insecurities. She never showed any of it. She was, like, so positive… Every time she would come in, she had a little bounce in her step.”
He added, “That’s something that I’m going to take with me for the rest of my life, is knowing that I got to work with a special person like her.”
Tony said of her legacy, “I think her legacy is about empowering women… Her goal in life was to give people the opportunity to heal themselves through nature, through natural growth… Her legacy for me is her smile — her smile never left her face.”
Dancing with the Stars honors “icon” Suzanne Somers
The Dancing with the Stars instagram account also paid tribute to Suzanne Somers. “We are saddened at the loss of one of our dear DWTS family members, Suzanne Somers,” the account captioned a photo of the late star. “She was an icon in and out of the ballroom, and our hearts go out to her loved ones.”
